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.
What if there was a space where our love was not just tolerated, but celebrated? What if there was a place where our relationships were not judged and shamed but poured into with support, encouragement, and care? Come strengthen your couple-love and deepen your self-love in a weekend dedicated to LGBTQ+ humans.
We need spaces to navigate the terrains of intimacy, vulnerability, and trust just as much as straight-bodied humans. Our love is beautiful, strong, passionate, vibrant, and resilient. It can be challenging to focus on our relationships when we don’t feel safe, seen, or represented in the broader world. Join Toni Bergins and Erika Allison in a sacred and refreshing container for LGBTQ+ couples and friends to be ourselves, love how we love, and explore the depths of our connections.
Through movement, expression, music, ritual, and meditation, we will open new pathways for self-love. Through somatic partner exercises and heart-opening practices, we will open new pathways for couple-love. Embodiment and movement practices expand our inner awareness and invite our presence, allowing us to touch our depths and feel our aliveness, whatever emotions may come. Ceremony and ritual practices open our hearts and allow us to celebrate and honor the journeys of our lives and our love.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll explore…
Together we will engage in embodiment practices, such as:
Join us for a weekend of being and loving, bringing us closer together and strengthening our relationships. Get out of your mind and into your body, gaining a new sense of presence to deepen your love and relationships. By strengthening our bonds, expanding our capacity to be seen and heard, and celebrating our authentic expressions, we can cultivate thriving relationships full of joy, playfulness, and peace.
Folks identifying as LGBTQ+ only, please.
In this workshop, we define LGBTQ+ couples as any two people in an intimate relationship. Please bring a partner (romantic or friend!) for this program; it is important that we have an even number of attendees.
Recommended reading: Gay the Pray Away: Healing Your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Hams of LGBT Conversion Therapy, by Reverend Erika Allison
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Toni Bergins, MEd has helped thousands of people break out of their boxes and move into new stories through embodied practice and emotional empowerment. As the creator of JourneyDance™ transformational movement, Toni leads people back home to their body. As a performer and singer/songwriter, Toni inspires people to find their authentic voice.
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Rev. Erika Allison (she/they) is a queer interfaith minister, speaker, and author of the award-winning book Gay the Pray Away: Healing Your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Harms of LGBT Conversion Therapy. She created and facilitates the RAINBOW Path program for healing from identity harm and religious wounding.
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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.
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.
What if there was a space where our love was not just tolerated, but celebrated? What if there was a place where our relationships were not judged and shamed but poured into with support, encouragement, and care? Come strengthen your couple-love and deepen your self-love in a weekend dedicated to LGBTQ+ humans.
We need spaces to navigate the terrains of intimacy, vulnerability, and trust just as much as straight-bodied humans. Our love is beautiful, strong, passionate, vibrant, and resilient. It can be challenging to focus on our relationships when we don’t feel safe, seen, or represented in the broader world. Join Toni Bergins and Erika Allison in a sacred and refreshing container for LGBTQ+ couples and friends to be ourselves, love how we love, and explore the depths of our connections.
Through movement, expression, music, ritual, and meditation, we will open new pathways for self-love. Through somatic partner exercises and heart-opening practices, we will open new pathways for couple-love. Embodiment and movement practices expand our inner awareness and invite our presence, allowing us to touch our depths and feel our aliveness, whatever emotions may come. Ceremony and ritual practices open our hearts and allow us to celebrate and honor the journeys of our lives and our love.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll explore…
Together we will engage in embodiment practices, such as:
Join us for a weekend of being and loving, bringing us closer together and strengthening our relationships. Get out of your mind and into your body, gaining a new sense of presence to deepen your love and relationships. By strengthening our bonds, expanding our capacity to be seen and heard, and celebrating our authentic expressions, we can cultivate thriving relationships full of joy, playfulness, and peace.
Folks identifying as LGBTQ+ only, please.
In this workshop, we define LGBTQ+ couples as any two people in an intimate relationship. Please bring a partner (romantic or friend!) for this program; it is important that we have an even number of attendees.
Recommended reading: Gay the Pray Away: Healing Your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Hams of LGBT Conversion Therapy, by Reverend Erika Allison
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Toni Bergins, MEd has helped thousands of people break out of their boxes and move into new stories through embodied practice and emotional empowerment. As the creator of JourneyDance™ transformational movement, Toni leads people back home to their body. As a performer and singer/songwriter, Toni inspires people to find their authentic voice.
Rev. Erika Allison (she/they) is a queer interfaith minister, speaker, and author of the award-winning book Gay the Pray Away: Healing Your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Harms of LGBT Conversion Therapy. She created and facilitates the RAINBOW Path program for healing from identity harm and religious wounding.
February 18–20, 2022
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
What if there was a space where our love was not just tolerated, but celebrated? What if there was a place where our relationships were not judged and shamed but poured into with support, encouragement, and care? Come strengthen your couple-love and deepen your self-love in a weekend dedicated to LGBTQ+ humans.
We need spaces to navigate the terrains of intimacy, vulnerability, and trust just as much as straight-bodied humans. Our love is beautiful, strong, passionate, vibrant, and resilient. It can be challenging to focus on our relationships when we don’t feel safe, seen, or represented in the broader world. Join Toni Bergins and Erika Allison in a sacred and refreshing container for LGBTQ+ couples and friends to be ourselves, love how we love, and explore the depths of our connections.
Through movement, expression, music, ritual, and meditation, we will open new pathways for self-love. Through somatic partner exercises and heart-opening practices, we will open new pathways for couple-love. Embodiment and movement practices expand our inner awareness and invite our presence, allowing us to touch our depths and feel our aliveness, whatever emotions may come. Ceremony and ritual practices open our hearts and allow us to celebrate and honor the journeys of our lives and our love.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll explore…
Together we will engage in embodiment practices, such as:
Join us for a weekend of being and loving, bringing us closer together and strengthening our relationships. Get out of your mind and into your body, gaining a new sense of presence to deepen your love and relationships. By strengthening our bonds, expanding our capacity to be seen and heard, and celebrating our authentic expressions, we can cultivate thriving relationships full of joy, playfulness, and peace.
Folks identifying as LGBTQ+ only, please.
In this workshop, we define LGBTQ+ couples as any two people in an intimate relationship. Please bring a partner (romantic or friend!) for this program; it is important that we have an even number of attendees.
Recommended reading: Gay the Pray Away: Healing Your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Hams of LGBT Conversion Therapy, by Reverend Erika Allison
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Toni Bergins, MEd has helped thousands of people break out of their boxes and move into new stories through embodied practice and emotional empowerment. As the creator of JourneyDance™ transformational movement, Toni leads people back home to their body. As a performer and singer/songwriter, Toni inspires people to find their authentic voice.
Rev. Erika Allison (she/they) is a queer interfaith minister, speaker, and author of the award-winning book Gay the Pray Away: Healing Your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Harms of LGBT Conversion Therapy. She created and facilitates the RAINBOW Path program for healing from identity harm and religious wounding.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org