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.
The Esalen Massage Intensive is for those interested in embodying themselves fully while learning how to connect with others through the healing touch of massage. It’s also for professionals who want to refresh their skills. The instructors each have over 30 years of experience teaching Esalen Massage, which also includes meditation, movement and dance, sensory awareness, and much more, all presented in a nourishing and healing context.
The basic core of Esalen Massage includes grounding, moving from the center, quality of touch, proper draping, classic Esalen long lengthening strokes, and how to listen to each person and each body. Skills to address specific problems in the neck, shoulders, and low back, just to name a few, will also be presented. Energy awareness and methods which help balance the subtle energy of the body and emotions are included. Anatomical understanding is brought to life through anatomy stretches. There will be plenty of supervised practice with your classmates.
This is not a massage certification course. Come prepared to fully participate.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Brita Ostrom has led massage and somatic workshops at Esalen and internationally for more than 40 years. She is a founding member of the Esalen Massage School, practices Gestalt awareness work, and participated in Esalen’s two-year somatic education program. She is also a licensed psychotherapist.
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Oliver Bailey is a practitioner and instructor of Esalen® Massage. His background includes training in Gestalt Practice, neurolinguistic programming, intuitive work, and meditation.
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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.
The Esalen Massage Intensive is for those interested in embodying themselves fully while learning how to connect with others through the healing touch of massage. It’s also for professionals who want to refresh their skills. The instructors each have over 30 years of experience teaching Esalen Massage, which also includes meditation, movement and dance, sensory awareness, and much more, all presented in a nourishing and healing context.
The basic core of Esalen Massage includes grounding, moving from the center, quality of touch, proper draping, classic Esalen long lengthening strokes, and how to listen to each person and each body. Skills to address specific problems in the neck, shoulders, and low back, just to name a few, will also be presented. Energy awareness and methods which help balance the subtle energy of the body and emotions are included. Anatomical understanding is brought to life through anatomy stretches. There will be plenty of supervised practice with your classmates.
This is not a massage certification course. Come prepared to fully participate.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Brita Ostrom has led massage and somatic workshops at Esalen and internationally for more than 40 years. She is a founding member of the Esalen Massage School, practices Gestalt awareness work, and participated in Esalen’s two-year somatic education program. She is also a licensed psychotherapist.
Char Pias: “My teaching of Esalen® Massage is based on awareness practice, principles of energetics, unlocking the nervous system, and an emphasis on self-care.” Char began teaching at Esalen in 1984; she also teaches throughout California and in Europe, Japan, and Canada.
Oliver Bailey is a practitioner and instructor of Esalen® Massage. His background includes training in Gestalt Practice, neurolinguistic programming, intuitive work, and meditation.
February 12 – March 11, 2022
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
The Esalen Massage Intensive is for those interested in embodying themselves fully while learning how to connect with others through the healing touch of massage. It’s also for professionals who want to refresh their skills. The instructors each have over 30 years of experience teaching Esalen Massage, which also includes meditation, movement and dance, sensory awareness, and much more, all presented in a nourishing and healing context.
The basic core of Esalen Massage includes grounding, moving from the center, quality of touch, proper draping, classic Esalen long lengthening strokes, and how to listen to each person and each body. Skills to address specific problems in the neck, shoulders, and low back, just to name a few, will also be presented. Energy awareness and methods which help balance the subtle energy of the body and emotions are included. Anatomical understanding is brought to life through anatomy stretches. There will be plenty of supervised practice with your classmates.
This is not a massage certification course. Come prepared to fully participate.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Brita Ostrom has led massage and somatic workshops at Esalen and internationally for more than 40 years. She is a founding member of the Esalen Massage School, practices Gestalt awareness work, and participated in Esalen’s two-year somatic education program. She is also a licensed psychotherapist.
Char Pias: “My teaching of Esalen® Massage is based on awareness practice, principles of energetics, unlocking the nervous system, and an emphasis on self-care.” Char began teaching at Esalen in 1984; she also teaches throughout California and in Europe, Japan, and Canada.
Oliver Bailey is a practitioner and instructor of Esalen® Massage. His background includes training in Gestalt Practice, neurolinguistic programming, intuitive work, and meditation.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org