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

Pelvic Health Self-Care Retreat: Exploring the Pelvis Through Anatomy, Nutrition, and the Nervous System

October 10–12, 2025

Anietie Ukpe-Wallace and Krishna Dholakia

I think it’s the worst thing that we do to each other as women, not share the truth about our bodies and how they work and how they don’t work. —Michelle Obama

The pelvis is a powerful part of our body and is foundational to our overall health. The tissues and bones of our pelvis encompass our reproductive, eliminatory, and digestive organs. They shift and change according to stress, infection, pregnancy and birth, hormonal changes, lifestyle, and trauma. When it is in balance, we feel at ease; when out of balance, it can significantly impact the quality of our life.

This retreat will focus on pelvic health along the span of the reproductive spectrum, from preconception through menopause. A broad range of topics will be covered, including:

  • Pelvic floor anatomy and self-care practices
  • Menstrual health
  • Sexual health
  • Nutrition and the digestive system
  • Plant medicine
  • Mindfulness
  • Mental health
  • Yoga and other movement practices
  • Community building and journaling activities
  • Hormones and fertility
  • Pelvic care across cultures and history

Our goal is to help our participants increase their knowledge, self-awareness, and literacy on the workings of their body, pelvic floor, fertility, and sexual health during different spans of their lives. Participants will discover an array of resources, a community of women to support them on their journey, lifelong education, and self-care practices that are accessible and supportive for their body and pelvic health.

Recommended Reading: Wild Feminine by Tami Lynn Kent, Dr. Sonia’s Guide to Navigating Pelvic Pain by Sonia Bahlani, Hello, Down There: A Guide to Healing Chronic Pelvic and Sexual Pain by Alexandra Milspaw and Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

Participants must bring their own set of tune-up yoga massage balls for use during the workshop. They can be purchased here.

Anietie Ukpe-Wallace

Dr. Anietie Ukpe-Wallace, PT, DPT, is an orthopedic physical therapist specializing in pelvic health that covers the reproductive spectrum. Her private practice provides hands-on manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and self-care practices to bring whole healing to the pelvis and body.

Full Bio

Krishna Dholakia

Krishna Dholakia, MS, RDN, CDCES, CDN, is a nutritionist, diabetes educator, yoga teacher, and mindfulness teacher who specializes in women’s health. Her private practice specializes in integrative nutrition therapy, yoga and bodywork, and mindfulness-based therapy.

Full Bio