Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the alternate route directions.
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.
For centuries, winter solstice has been a time of reflection. Given recent events, the dark days of winter are an opportune moment to turn inward, take time for self-care, and focus on inner awareness. Practicing in community in the darkest days of winter, we can cultivate vitality and brightness and return home renewed.
During this retreat, we will use the practices of yoga (asana, meditation, and chanting) in the exquisite and healing natural environment of Esalen to revitalize the body and calm the mind. Together we will focus our attention on being.
In our time together, we will focus in the following ways:
The word solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) because at the solstices, the seasonal movement of the sun’s path appears to come to a stop before reversing direction. Winter solstice is a time to pause and reflect, a time to cultivate vitality and take extra care to nurture ourselves. Moving into stillness, we can return to our lives refreshed and strengthened for the new year to come.
All levels are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat.
In an abundance of caution and with deep care for the health of all of our students, the faculty requires that students for this workshop submit a negative COVID test to her team, two days prior to arrival at Esalen. There are a variety of rapid and PCR tests to choose from. You will submit test results directly to the instructor. Information on how to communicate test results will be sent to you via email after registration.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Sarana Miller has been a faculty instructor at Yoga Journal and leads annual retreats at Esalen, Wilbur Hot Springs, Mexico, and Alaska. Trained in the Iyengar and Forrest Yoga traditions, she has built her life around sharing the benefits of the practice of yoga.
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Fri 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 7:30 am – 8:30 am
Sat 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sat 4:15 pm – 6:15 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.
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.
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.
For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For centuries, winter solstice has been a time of reflection. Given recent events, the dark days of winter are an opportune moment to turn inward, take time for self-care, and focus on inner awareness. Practicing in community in the darkest days of winter, we can cultivate vitality and brightness and return home renewed.
During this retreat, we will use the practices of yoga (asana, meditation, and chanting) in the exquisite and healing natural environment of Esalen to revitalize the body and calm the mind. Together we will focus our attention on being.
In our time together, we will focus in the following ways:
The word solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) because at the solstices, the seasonal movement of the sun’s path appears to come to a stop before reversing direction. Winter solstice is a time to pause and reflect, a time to cultivate vitality and take extra care to nurture ourselves. Moving into stillness, we can return to our lives refreshed and strengthened for the new year to come.
All levels are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat.
In an abundance of caution and with deep care for the health of all of our students, the faculty requires that students for this workshop submit a negative COVID test to her team, two days prior to arrival at Esalen. There are a variety of rapid and PCR tests to choose from. You will submit test results directly to the instructor. Information on how to communicate test results will be sent to you via email after registration.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Sarana Miller has been a faculty instructor at Yoga Journal and leads annual retreats at Esalen, Wilbur Hot Springs, Mexico, and Alaska. Trained in the Iyengar and Forrest Yoga traditions, she has built her life around sharing the benefits of the practice of yoga.
December 17–19, 2021
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
For centuries, winter solstice has been a time of reflection. Given recent events, the dark days of winter are an opportune moment to turn inward, take time for self-care, and focus on inner awareness. Practicing in community in the darkest days of winter, we can cultivate vitality and brightness and return home renewed.
During this retreat, we will use the practices of yoga (asana, meditation, and chanting) in the exquisite and healing natural environment of Esalen to revitalize the body and calm the mind. Together we will focus our attention on being.
In our time together, we will focus in the following ways:
The word solstice is derived from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still) because at the solstices, the seasonal movement of the sun’s path appears to come to a stop before reversing direction. Winter solstice is a time to pause and reflect, a time to cultivate vitality and take extra care to nurture ourselves. Moving into stillness, we can return to our lives refreshed and strengthened for the new year to come.
All levels are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat.
In an abundance of caution and with deep care for the health of all of our students, the faculty requires that students for this workshop submit a negative COVID test to her team, two days prior to arrival at Esalen. There are a variety of rapid and PCR tests to choose from. You will submit test results directly to the instructor. Information on how to communicate test results will be sent to you via email after registration.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Sarana Miller has been a faculty instructor at Yoga Journal and leads annual retreats at Esalen, Wilbur Hot Springs, Mexico, and Alaska. Trained in the Iyengar and Forrest Yoga traditions, she has built her life around sharing the benefits of the practice of yoga.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org