An invitation into the living tradition of Esalen somatic work through guided exploration of breath, touch, movement, awareness, and embodied presence. Rooted in Esalen's rich history, this class draws from the lineage practices that helped shape Esalen® Massage and contemporary somatic healing arts. Led by longtime teacher and founding Esalen Massage School faculty member Vicki Topp, each session unfolds organically, responding to the needs and energy of the group while weaving together practices that awaken sensory awareness, deepen connection to the body, and invite greater ease, vitality, and aliveness.

Begin your day with a blend of seated, walking, and heart-centered meditation practices to ignite inspiration for starting or deepening your at-home meditation journey. Suitable for all levels.

Limpias are a spiritual practice used in many cultures indigenous to this continent, especially in Mexican curanderismo/folk medicine. Limpias are typically done with fresh plants, flowers, prayers and intention. Traditionally limpias are performed to heal emotional and spiritual imbalances, or after acute shock and trauma to support the spirit and emotional body. Limpias can support during major life transitions, to help shed stagnant energy, and to call in healing and clarity when needed. It is a beautiful process that helps one release emotions in a safe space with the guidance of plant spirits and ancestors. Bring a scarf or rebozo and please wear comfortable clothing.

Move into the wisdom your body already knows. In this practice born from Big Sur's wild coast, discover an intuitive approach to movement that honors each body's unique expression and innate healing intelligence. Through deep listening and felt connection, drop beneath the mind's chatter into the reservoir of medicine that lives within your bones, breath, and beating heart.

This embodied practice takes us outside and into direct communion with the sacred land itself — exploring the edges of Esalen's property and allowing the living environment to become both our teacher and our partner. Water, wind, stone, plant, and animal each carry an invitation to move, to respond, to listen with the whole body, allowing each encounter with the intelligence of the natural world to become a doorway into spontaneous, enlivened response. No choreography, no right or wrong — just the radical simplicity of human bodies in genuine relationship with the body of earth. What is possible when we move with the assumption that the physical world around us carries its own grace and intelligence? What is possible when we consciously invite that intelligence to co-create with us in unique and spontaneous movement? This is not simply a walk through nature. This is nature moving through us.

Visions are the seeds of transformation— they stir the soul and set the stage for change. When we dare to imagine, we begin to open new doorways in our lives. What would it take to begin again? What small step, what breath, what whisper from within? Let’s play with the power of imagination, stretching the bounds of what we think is possible. Or perhaps, let’s soften into presence, trusting that something new is already blooming beneath the surface, waiting for its perfect moment to rise.

Wake up with this gentle yoga flow (vinyasa) in which movement is synchronized with breath in a smooth, flowing way. Class begins with pranayama, mudra, toning, and moving into a powerful graceful sequence. We move at a slower pace to explore the postures while cultivating strength, flexibility, balance, and calm. Listen to your own body to invite spontaneous movement and free up your unique flow.

Come experience an all levels laboratory in making "good contact" with ourselves and others. Through solo and group work, we will explore the foundational practices of an Esalen lineage curriculum, Gestalt in the tradition of Dick Price. Our time will include an Esalen-style check in, taking our seat, basic practice, continuum of awareness, and repeated inquiry to support a felt sense of wholeness and belonging.

Rooted in traditional Hatha yoga, this class invites a slow, attuned approach to movement through somatic exploration, breathwork, and mindful presence. Together, we will cultivate a deeper relationship with the body's innate wisdom while building resilience, flexibility, strength, and ease. This grounding practice offers space to listen inward, awaken embodied awareness, and move in a way that honors your unique experience. Accessible to all levels and bodies.

Connect to the Earth and drop in to the reciprocal, ever-available feeling of gratitude that is shared between yourself and the Earth. Beginning from the inner realm of presence, this class gives you the time to connect more deeply with nature, and the opportunity to give thanks in the form of a love letter. Let your letter be an act of reciprocity. Let it be your gateway to a richer, more loving moment in time.

Spend an hour luxuriating in the cultivation of Metta, or loving-kindness. Warning: this guided class may help you connect with feelings of compassion and goodwill for yourself and others. Expect a gentle, supportive practice, no prior meditation experience needed.

Through the use of tarot, oracle cards, meditation, and reading and writing poetry, we will tap into the connection between the inner creative self and the divine. While that connection is ever present, it can sometimes be elusive to the conscious mind. This class is designed to help you drop into presence, and allow yourself to let whatever is felt be expressed on to the page. From the uninitiated writer to the prolific practitioner, this class is open to everyone, at whatever writing stage you find yourself in.

Tap into your inner creative self in this class designed for writers of all levels: from the uninitiated to the prolific practitioner. Through a combination of meditation, reading poetry, writing, and the option to share aloud, this class gives you the opportunity to remember the creative power you hold within.

This is an all levels class designed for anyone interested in bridging the gap between mind, body and breath consciousness. Through slow yogic movements & breath awareness, we will create a sense of deep presence while promoting a healthy nervous system.

A gentle, mindful practice that links breath with movement at an unhurried pace. Slow Flow emphasizes longer holds, smooth transitions, and deep awareness, allowing you to build strength and flexibility while cultivating calm and presence. Suitable for all levels, it’s a grounding practice that balances body and mind.

Step into a world where imagination leads and presence transforms. In this playful, heart-opening session with award-winning artist Ruby Marez, you'll explore the art of improvisation as a portal to deeper connection—with yourself, with others, and with the present moment. Through embodied storytelling, spontaneous creation, and communal play, you'll awaken your creative instincts, loosen the grip of perfectionism, and rediscover the joy of making it up as you go.

You may know your astrological ‘Big 3’, but did you know that your birth date also imparts corresponding tarot cards too? Come learn what your cards are — and how that can be of practical use, including ways to embody tarot archetypes to boost creativity, affect internal change, and gain insight into the classic western four elements. Bring your personal deck if you have one!

Allow yourself to be moved into a creative flow state while you sit surrounded by Redwoods and Eucalyptus, guided by the ever flowing energy of the creek. We will first gather in the garden to read poems together, and then walk in meditation down to the river where we will write in silence. Finally, we will come back together as a group, and have the opportunity to share what we wrote. Wherever you find yourself in your writing journey – from the uninitiated, to the prolific practitioner – this class is open to all.

Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.

The California Condor is more than North America's largest flying bird— it is a living testament to what becomes possible when a community refuses to give up. Join Cheryl Thiele of the Ventana Wildlife Society for an exploration of the condor's extraordinary journey from the brink of extinction back to the skies of Big Sur. Through stories of conservation, collaboration, and ecological renewal, we'll consider what this remarkable species might teach us about resilience, belonging, and hope.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world. These tools offer real possibilities for productivity and creativity, while raising many other serious questions. In this class, we’ll use Esalen’s lens of human potential to explore how to meet AI with discernment and a grounded sense of human value. The session has space for curiosity, skepticism, enthusiasm, concern, and everything in between.