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Interconnection through Yoga, Strength, and Self-Compassion
January 28–30, 2022
January 28–30, 2022
with Lauren McHale

Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.

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Need a scholarship? Apply here.

Need a scholarship? Apply here.

Endorphin release is a natural and beautiful part of the results of working your body physically. But what happens after the endorphin high ends? Lauren McHale invites you to move, sweat, and share your truth with others.

This program is designed to help you learn how to become a better friend to yourself through movement, strength training, and interconnection.

We get to know ourselves through our shared experiences with others. In this workshop, Lauren facilitates an open dialogue about self-compassion while teaching various modalities for self-care, such as:

  • HIIT Strength Training — an all-levels, all ages welcome bodyweight HIIT workout focusing on exercise technique, form, and functionality.
  • Yoga for Athletes — focused on mobility, flexibility, and functional range of motion in order to create balance, strength, and stability throughout the body.
  • Guided meditation and self-compassion workshops that are inspired by the research and practices founded by Dr. Kristin Neff.

On Saturday evening, Guest Faculty Liz Andolong will guide the group through an exploration of what it feels like to rest and relax into one’s own body, a practice designed to encourage you to turn inward and lean into the practice of Pause. Gentle postures will be explored through breath and awareness, mindfulness and grounding. Release stagnant energies and invite more relaxation through Liz’s offering of Reiki healing to the group, a Japanese form of energetic healing.

Throughout the weekend, we will come together through physical movement, strength training, and shared experience. Too often we are moving from one experience to another without taking time to pause and notice the other people experiencing this life alongside us. Shared experience is the foundation for self-compassion! This practice asks participants to open up to their own inner knowing and to use this as a means for practicing interconnection with others.

Participants with severe health concerns that inhibit their ability to perform physical activity may struggle with this highly active program.

Recommended reading: Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Lauren McHale

Lauren McHale

Lauren is a certified group personal training specialist (NASM-CES), yoga for athletes instructor, and nutrition coach based in Sacramento, California. Her signature class, NAMASWEAT, is a blend of yoga and strength training designed to alleviate insecurities and promote interconnection and overall well-being.

Read More

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Workshop Schedule

Fri 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sat 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Sat 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Please note: On Wednesday September 20, online registration may be unavailable for up to 15 minutes while system maintenance is performed. If the 'Register Now' page does not load, please wait about 15 minutes and try again.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing

with Lauren McHale

January 28–30, 2022
Register Now

Endorphin release is a natural and beautiful part of the results of working your body physically. But what happens after the endorphin high ends? Lauren McHale invites you to move, sweat, and share your truth with others.

This program is designed to help you learn how to become a better friend to yourself through movement, strength training, and interconnection.

We get to know ourselves through our shared experiences with others. In this workshop, Lauren facilitates an open dialogue about self-compassion while teaching various modalities for self-care, such as:

  • HIIT Strength Training — an all-levels, all ages welcome bodyweight HIIT workout focusing on exercise technique, form, and functionality.
  • Yoga for Athletes — focused on mobility, flexibility, and functional range of motion in order to create balance, strength, and stability throughout the body.
  • Guided meditation and self-compassion workshops that are inspired by the research and practices founded by Dr. Kristin Neff.

On Saturday evening, Guest Faculty Liz Andolong will guide the group through an exploration of what it feels like to rest and relax into one’s own body, a practice designed to encourage you to turn inward and lean into the practice of Pause. Gentle postures will be explored through breath and awareness, mindfulness and grounding. Release stagnant energies and invite more relaxation through Liz’s offering of Reiki healing to the group, a Japanese form of energetic healing.

Throughout the weekend, we will come together through physical movement, strength training, and shared experience. Too often we are moving from one experience to another without taking time to pause and notice the other people experiencing this life alongside us. Shared experience is the foundation for self-compassion! This practice asks participants to open up to their own inner knowing and to use this as a means for practicing interconnection with others.

Participants with severe health concerns that inhibit their ability to perform physical activity may struggle with this highly active program.

Recommended reading: Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Lauren McHale

Lauren is a certified group personal training specialist (NASM-CES), yoga for athletes instructor, and nutrition coach based in Sacramento, California. Her signature class, NAMASWEAT, is a blend of yoga and strength training designed to alleviate insecurities and promote interconnection and overall well-being.

Read More

Workshop Schedule

Fri 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sat 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Sat 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing

with Lauren McHale

January 28–30, 2022
Choose Your Path

Endorphin release is a natural and beautiful part of the results of working your body physically. But what happens after the endorphin high ends? Lauren McHale invites you to move, sweat, and share your truth with others.

This program is designed to help you learn how to become a better friend to yourself through movement, strength training, and interconnection.

We get to know ourselves through our shared experiences with others. In this workshop, Lauren facilitates an open dialogue about self-compassion while teaching various modalities for self-care, such as:

  • HIIT Strength Training — an all-levels, all ages welcome bodyweight HIIT workout focusing on exercise technique, form, and functionality.
  • Yoga for Athletes — focused on mobility, flexibility, and functional range of motion in order to create balance, strength, and stability throughout the body.
  • Guided meditation and self-compassion workshops that are inspired by the research and practices founded by Dr. Kristin Neff.

On Saturday evening, Guest Faculty Liz Andolong will guide the group through an exploration of what it feels like to rest and relax into one’s own body, a practice designed to encourage you to turn inward and lean into the practice of Pause. Gentle postures will be explored through breath and awareness, mindfulness and grounding. Release stagnant energies and invite more relaxation through Liz’s offering of Reiki healing to the group, a Japanese form of energetic healing.

Throughout the weekend, we will come together through physical movement, strength training, and shared experience. Too often we are moving from one experience to another without taking time to pause and notice the other people experiencing this life alongside us. Shared experience is the foundation for self-compassion! This practice asks participants to open up to their own inner knowing and to use this as a means for practicing interconnection with others.

Participants with severe health concerns that inhibit their ability to perform physical activity may struggle with this highly active program.

Recommended reading: Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff

Choose Your Path

Workshop Schedule

Fri 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sat 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Sat 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.

More activities can be found on our open class schedule.

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive tuition that includes lodging, three meals per day, access to the baths, and all activities on the Summer Groove schedule.

We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need. Learn more.

Accommodations & Tuition

For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.

First, sign up and pay tuition directly to

Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.

Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.

COVID Update

As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours nd results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider.Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

COVID Update

Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.

All-inclusive Pricing