Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
Learn More.

Learn more.

Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
past workshop

Mindfulness, Metabolism, and Mitochondria: Improve Your Vitality, Nutrition, and Metabolic Control

January 9–11, 2026

Elissa Epel and Robert Lustig

Explore the dynamic connections between mind, body, and lifestyle for optimal vitality. Drawing from decades of research, this workshop weaves together the latest scientific insights in metabolic health and mindful eating with experiential practices to support greater awareness and agency in your approach to well-being.

Participants will engage in evidence-informed practices derived from clinical trials and discover the emerging research on biosensors and glucose monitors that offer real-time feedback on stress and metabolic responses.

We’ll take a closer look at how to create optimal insulin sensitivity — a foundational aspect of good metabolic health and a key factor in healthy aging. Rather than rigid rules or complex diets, we’ll focus on core principles of optimal nutrition and metabolic function to help us develop — and sustain — lifestyle choices that align with our needs and abilities.

Together, we’ll explore:  

  • The impact of stress on eating behaviors, and how both inside knowledge of the food industry and self-compassion can serve as powerful antidotes to shame and food stigma.
  • How different micronutrients, macronutrients, eating patterns, and timing affect glucose regulation, mitochondrial function, cellular aging, and mental health.
  • Experiential practices, such as mindful eating, yoga nidra, breathwork, and exercise, and their effects on appetite regulation, insulin sensitivity, and energy levels.
  • How to wisely use glucose monitors, stress monitors, and time-restricted fasting.

Elissa and Robert will be joined by mindfulness-based registered dietitian and nutritionist Andrea Lieberstein, who will lead mindful eating practices, including an optional guided mindful meal. Movement teacher Nichol Chase will offer embodied movement sessions throughout the weekend.

Join this compassionate, research-informed space to explore the intersections of nutrition, mindfulness, and metabolic well-being. Whether you’re managing chronic stress, curious about metabolic health, or simply seeking a more conscious relationship with food and your body, you are welcome here.

Please note: This workshop is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat eating disorders, will not focus on weight loss, and may not be appropriate for individuals currently experiencing a severe eating disorder. It is not intended for medical advice or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your nutrition, movement, or health practices.

Elissa Epel

Elissa Epel, PhD, is a professor at UCSF, author of  New York Times bestseller, The Telomere Effect, and past president of the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research. She is an expert on stress and contemplative practices, including mindful eating for optimal metabolic balance.

Full Bio

Robert Lustig

Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L., is Emeritus Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, and a member of the Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. He is the author of Fat Chance (2012), The Hacking of the American Mind (2017), and Metabolical (2021).

Full Bio