Embrace a new self this spring, life's favorite season, a time to trade the negative, the useless, and the limiting for creativity, understanding, and catharsis. If you're longing to tell your story, unlock your potential, sing, dance, or heal this May, Esalen can be the container that holds and nourishes you.
Moon Lodge: Honoring the Sacred Feminine, May 1–5, 2023 with Lucia Horan and Dr. Julie Von
We invite all those who identify as women into this circle of support, education, and healing. There are some things that are too big for any one person to hold alone. Within this group, women of all ages may find a place of belonging.
Relational Gestalt Practice: The Transformative Power of Emotion, May 1–5, 2023 with Dorothy Charles
Developing the awareness, boundaries, and communication skills to foster healthy emotional connections is key to transforming limiting beliefs that formed early in life about yourself, others, and what’s possible for your life. Learn through basic gestalt awareness practices, a mixture of didactic and experiential exercises, as well as individual “open seat” sessions with Dorothy and with the support of the group.
Jumpstart Your Memoir, May 5–7, 2023 with Nancy Slonim Aronie
Everyone has a story. This workshop is about being in a safe place to finally get that story (which has been marinating in your pancreas, your liver, your heart) out onto the page. It’s about sounding like you. Using your own voice, your own language, your own rhythms, telling your own story, and taking the risk of saying, “This is who I am … this is what happened to me. And this is how I got from here to there.”
Meet Your Better Half: Unlock Your Right Brain, May 5–7, 2023 with Bill Donius
Learn to activate the right side of your brain and learn what holds you back from your own potential. Bill Donius, author of the New York Times bestseller Thought Revolution, helps you break through self-limiting patterns and learn critical skills to live a more creative, productive, and happy life.
Transpersonal Breathwork Practices: Holotropic Breathwork®, Qigong, and Complementary Breathwork Katas, May 7–12, 2023 with Ellen Watson and Mac Murphy
Transpersonal breathwork practices — including Holotropic Breathwork and time-honored global, multicultural breathwork practices — have been validated by Western scientific methods. Mornings will begin with an energizing and empowering qigong and breathwork kata at Hot Springs Creek, followed by an integration session. Afternoons will be devoted to Holotropic Breathwork.
IAHE: Upledger Institute International's Craniosacral Therapy 1 — Assessment of Central Nervous System and Fascia for Full Body Treatment Protocol, May 14–19, 2023 with Melinda Naye
In this CS1 workshop, you will learn gentle techniques that assess and help normalize the craniosacral system, so the body can begin to self-correct. By unraveling pain and dysfunction at the source, you'll naturally help eliminate stress, strengthen resistance to disease, and enhance health in every dimension. By the end of the course, you’ll have a comprehensive and effective 10-Step Protocol that you can immediately incorporate into your healthcare practice.
Emptiness Dancing, May 19–21, 2023 with Andrea Juhan
Most of us have experienced a flow state at least once or twice. On the dance floor, it might feel like a state of exquisite surrender to the spirit that dances us; a timeless moment when we disappear and all that’s left is Emptiness Dancing. The purpose of this weekend is to practice being prone to these moments — to cultivate an openness so this state of grace becomes an everyday possibility.
Revisioning Your Hero's Journey® Adventure: A Mythological Toolbox® Playshop, May 21–26, 2023 with Robert Walter & The Joseph Campbell Foundation
Rekindle visions and embrace myth-making tools like drums and dance, music and song, or masks, medicine bags, and altars. Individual small- and large-group activities will provide reflective and expressive opportunities to retool the myths shaping your life. Think of this playshop as a transformational adventure, a joyous romp through your experience of being alive.
Integrative Gestalt Practice™, May 22–26, 2023 with Perry Holloman and Johanna Holloman
Integrative Gestalt Practice is particularly useful for exploring questions that involve the quality of your relationships, career, and overall life purpose — to help instill an internal sense of agency, clarity, and strength, and connect to what many describe as a sense of “inner guidance.” Experiential practices involving breath, movement, guided meditations, and individual “open-seat” work create a well-rounded program suited for people who want to self-explore in a safe group setting.
The Embodied Voice, May 26–28, 2023 with The Brothers Koren
Brothers Thorald and Isaac Koren create a safe space for students to reclaim their power and connection to their bodies while grounding into the gravity of the whole body instrument. Create powerful sounds and experience what it feels like to simply be — and be fully alive.
Cultivating Vitality in Body, Mind, and Spirit: The Ecosystem of Mental Well-Being, May 26–29, 2023 with Cassandra Vieten and Elissa Epel
A mental health renaissance is underway. Mental well-being is being redefined, and a range of evidence-based, whole-person approaches are gaining ground. Learn how to create an ecosystem of mental well-being for yourself and your clients.
Fundamentals of Esalen® Massage, May 29 – June 2, 2023 with Brita Ostrom and Rob Wilks
The slow-paced practice of Esalen massage sets the stage for a pleasurable, natural healing process to emerge. As the course unfolds, you will become more present, able to effectively offer a simple relaxing massage experience, and learn to enjoy the giving as much as the receiving.
Are you looking to immerse yourself in the peace, space, and natural majestic beauty of our campus without the structure of a workshop? We've recently opened dates in May 2023 for Self-Guided Explorations.
Ready to renew and jumpstart your metamorphosis before next May? These exciting upcoming programs still have openings. Reserve now before they fill up!
We have even more workshops for healing and self-exploration. Enroll now, or join our waitlist!
Microdosing: The Safe, Surprising, And Emerging Psychedelic Frontier, January 14, 2023 with James Fadiman, PhD and Adam Bramlage
In the wake of America’s psychedelics prohibition and the dismantling of this nation’s War on Drugs, there are exciting, life-changing plant medicine conversations happening here at Esalen. Join legendary psychedelics researcher and the father of the modern microdosing movement, James Fadiman, PhD, and microdosing educator and coach Adam Bramlage as they teach live from Esalen Institute in Big Sur. Together we will learn about the most current and best practices for microdosing psychedelics and plant medicine.
What would happen if you pressed pause on your everyday life and gave yourself four full weeks to evolve and transform at Esalen? If you’re ready, we’re accepting applications for these exciting programs.
True Self Mastery: The Art and Practice of Living Well, February 11 – March 10, 2023 with Anne Van de Water
It is possible to cultivate a new path of true self mastery, practicing the art of living well as your true self, aligned with your full potential no matter what you have been through. Through a blend of coaching, embodiment practices, self-inquiry, guided visualization, and sharing, we will first uncover your innermost true self, and then support you in manifesting that being into reality.
The Essence of Esalen: Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit, Community, March 11 – April 7, 2023 with Sadia Bruce, J.J. Jeffries, Cara Chandler, and Douglas Drummond
Introducing a signature Esalen experience of personal growth and embodiment through community building. Take a month to lean into the richness and diversity of Esalen’s homegrown programming infused with our history and current culture. In addition to working in service operationally, within the behind-the-scenes departments, participants will drop into workshop classes designed to support the process of healing, transformation, and joy. Experience Gestalt Awareness Practice, Esalen-style “check-ins,” breathwork, yoga, inspirational writing practices, 5Rhythms® dance, and more!
The Art and Science of Personal Transformation: Clearing Unhelpful Patterns and Acquiring New Tools, May 6 – June 2, 2023 with Devarshi Steven Hartman
Take a deep dive into the art and science of transformative change, and discover how to build a most remarkable future. Be prepared to create a loving relationship with your animal body through play and a variety of movement therapies. Be willing to try on all ranges of emotion and to listen sincerely and share with others. Be open to powerful release experiences through psychodrama, breathwork, pranayama, meditation, and movement.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
If you’ve always wanted to visit Esalen but couldn’t find the room in your budget, do you know about our scholarship program?
Embrace a new self this spring, life's favorite season, a time to trade the negative, the useless, and the limiting for creativity, understanding, and catharsis. If you're longing to tell your story, unlock your potential, sing, dance, or heal this May, Esalen can be the container that holds and nourishes you.
Moon Lodge: Honoring the Sacred Feminine, May 1–5, 2023 with Lucia Horan and Dr. Julie Von
We invite all those who identify as women into this circle of support, education, and healing. There are some things that are too big for any one person to hold alone. Within this group, women of all ages may find a place of belonging.
Relational Gestalt Practice: The Transformative Power of Emotion, May 1–5, 2023 with Dorothy Charles
Developing the awareness, boundaries, and communication skills to foster healthy emotional connections is key to transforming limiting beliefs that formed early in life about yourself, others, and what’s possible for your life. Learn through basic gestalt awareness practices, a mixture of didactic and experiential exercises, as well as individual “open seat” sessions with Dorothy and with the support of the group.
Jumpstart Your Memoir, May 5–7, 2023 with Nancy Slonim Aronie
Everyone has a story. This workshop is about being in a safe place to finally get that story (which has been marinating in your pancreas, your liver, your heart) out onto the page. It’s about sounding like you. Using your own voice, your own language, your own rhythms, telling your own story, and taking the risk of saying, “This is who I am … this is what happened to me. And this is how I got from here to there.”
Meet Your Better Half: Unlock Your Right Brain, May 5–7, 2023 with Bill Donius
Learn to activate the right side of your brain and learn what holds you back from your own potential. Bill Donius, author of the New York Times bestseller Thought Revolution, helps you break through self-limiting patterns and learn critical skills to live a more creative, productive, and happy life.
Transpersonal Breathwork Practices: Holotropic Breathwork®, Qigong, and Complementary Breathwork Katas, May 7–12, 2023 with Ellen Watson and Mac Murphy
Transpersonal breathwork practices — including Holotropic Breathwork and time-honored global, multicultural breathwork practices — have been validated by Western scientific methods. Mornings will begin with an energizing and empowering qigong and breathwork kata at Hot Springs Creek, followed by an integration session. Afternoons will be devoted to Holotropic Breathwork.
IAHE: Upledger Institute International's Craniosacral Therapy 1 — Assessment of Central Nervous System and Fascia for Full Body Treatment Protocol, May 14–19, 2023 with Melinda Naye
In this CS1 workshop, you will learn gentle techniques that assess and help normalize the craniosacral system, so the body can begin to self-correct. By unraveling pain and dysfunction at the source, you'll naturally help eliminate stress, strengthen resistance to disease, and enhance health in every dimension. By the end of the course, you’ll have a comprehensive and effective 10-Step Protocol that you can immediately incorporate into your healthcare practice.
Emptiness Dancing, May 19–21, 2023 with Andrea Juhan
Most of us have experienced a flow state at least once or twice. On the dance floor, it might feel like a state of exquisite surrender to the spirit that dances us; a timeless moment when we disappear and all that’s left is Emptiness Dancing. The purpose of this weekend is to practice being prone to these moments — to cultivate an openness so this state of grace becomes an everyday possibility.
Revisioning Your Hero's Journey® Adventure: A Mythological Toolbox® Playshop, May 21–26, 2023 with Robert Walter & The Joseph Campbell Foundation
Rekindle visions and embrace myth-making tools like drums and dance, music and song, or masks, medicine bags, and altars. Individual small- and large-group activities will provide reflective and expressive opportunities to retool the myths shaping your life. Think of this playshop as a transformational adventure, a joyous romp through your experience of being alive.
Integrative Gestalt Practice™, May 22–26, 2023 with Perry Holloman and Johanna Holloman
Integrative Gestalt Practice is particularly useful for exploring questions that involve the quality of your relationships, career, and overall life purpose — to help instill an internal sense of agency, clarity, and strength, and connect to what many describe as a sense of “inner guidance.” Experiential practices involving breath, movement, guided meditations, and individual “open-seat” work create a well-rounded program suited for people who want to self-explore in a safe group setting.
The Embodied Voice, May 26–28, 2023 with The Brothers Koren
Brothers Thorald and Isaac Koren create a safe space for students to reclaim their power and connection to their bodies while grounding into the gravity of the whole body instrument. Create powerful sounds and experience what it feels like to simply be — and be fully alive.
Cultivating Vitality in Body, Mind, and Spirit: The Ecosystem of Mental Well-Being, May 26–29, 2023 with Cassandra Vieten and Elissa Epel
A mental health renaissance is underway. Mental well-being is being redefined, and a range of evidence-based, whole-person approaches are gaining ground. Learn how to create an ecosystem of mental well-being for yourself and your clients.
Fundamentals of Esalen® Massage, May 29 – June 2, 2023 with Brita Ostrom and Rob Wilks
The slow-paced practice of Esalen massage sets the stage for a pleasurable, natural healing process to emerge. As the course unfolds, you will become more present, able to effectively offer a simple relaxing massage experience, and learn to enjoy the giving as much as the receiving.
Are you looking to immerse yourself in the peace, space, and natural majestic beauty of our campus without the structure of a workshop? We've recently opened dates in May 2023 for Self-Guided Explorations.
Ready to renew and jumpstart your metamorphosis before next May? These exciting upcoming programs still have openings. Reserve now before they fill up!
We have even more workshops for healing and self-exploration. Enroll now, or join our waitlist!
Microdosing: The Safe, Surprising, And Emerging Psychedelic Frontier, January 14, 2023 with James Fadiman, PhD and Adam Bramlage
In the wake of America’s psychedelics prohibition and the dismantling of this nation’s War on Drugs, there are exciting, life-changing plant medicine conversations happening here at Esalen. Join legendary psychedelics researcher and the father of the modern microdosing movement, James Fadiman, PhD, and microdosing educator and coach Adam Bramlage as they teach live from Esalen Institute in Big Sur. Together we will learn about the most current and best practices for microdosing psychedelics and plant medicine.
What would happen if you pressed pause on your everyday life and gave yourself four full weeks to evolve and transform at Esalen? If you’re ready, we’re accepting applications for these exciting programs.
True Self Mastery: The Art and Practice of Living Well, February 11 – March 10, 2023 with Anne Van de Water
It is possible to cultivate a new path of true self mastery, practicing the art of living well as your true self, aligned with your full potential no matter what you have been through. Through a blend of coaching, embodiment practices, self-inquiry, guided visualization, and sharing, we will first uncover your innermost true self, and then support you in manifesting that being into reality.
The Essence of Esalen: Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit, Community, March 11 – April 7, 2023 with Sadia Bruce, J.J. Jeffries, Cara Chandler, and Douglas Drummond
Introducing a signature Esalen experience of personal growth and embodiment through community building. Take a month to lean into the richness and diversity of Esalen’s homegrown programming infused with our history and current culture. In addition to working in service operationally, within the behind-the-scenes departments, participants will drop into workshop classes designed to support the process of healing, transformation, and joy. Experience Gestalt Awareness Practice, Esalen-style “check-ins,” breathwork, yoga, inspirational writing practices, 5Rhythms® dance, and more!
The Art and Science of Personal Transformation: Clearing Unhelpful Patterns and Acquiring New Tools, May 6 – June 2, 2023 with Devarshi Steven Hartman
Take a deep dive into the art and science of transformative change, and discover how to build a most remarkable future. Be prepared to create a loving relationship with your animal body through play and a variety of movement therapies. Be willing to try on all ranges of emotion and to listen sincerely and share with others. Be open to powerful release experiences through psychodrama, breathwork, pranayama, meditation, and movement.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
If you’ve always wanted to visit Esalen but couldn’t find the room in your budget, do you know about our scholarship program?
Embrace a new self this spring, life's favorite season, a time to trade the negative, the useless, and the limiting for creativity, understanding, and catharsis. If you're longing to tell your story, unlock your potential, sing, dance, or heal this May, Esalen can be the container that holds and nourishes you.
If you’ve always wanted to visit Esalen but couldn’t find the room in your budget, do you know about our scholarship program?
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
