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Esalen® Massage and Energy Work
November 20–24, 2023
November 20–24, 2023
Char Pias and Daniela Urbassek

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.

Matter is Energy … Energy is Light … We are all Light Beings” — Albert Einstein

Each of us walks around within our own energy halo. When two people touch, we activate an energetic exchange. This felt relationship is the heart and soul of Esalen® Massage. With a spirit of gratitude throughout the week, we will practice grounding and  attuning inward by means of ancient Asian exercises. We will activate our hands and learn to palpate and awaken balance in our partner’s energy field, body, heart, mind, and spirit. Both givers and receivers will walk away refreshed.

The slow-paced lengthening strokes and details of Esalen Massage provide an accessible entry point for this healing modality, which offers relaxation, connection, and potent integration after physical trauma. Two senior massage teachers, each with professional backgrounds in Asian studies, will bring to life the practice of energy anatomy, including vital points and their effect on our well-being. They’ll teach through brief lecture demonstrations with ample time for hands-on practice, self-reflection, and sharing with classmates. The magnificent Big Sur land and sea will cradle our Thanksgiving week experience.

This course is geared toward beginners, couples looking for new ways to communicate, and practitioners and caregivers seeking a fresh focus. It provides 26 hours of hands-on instruction toward the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certificate.

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Kodiak Greenwood
Char Pias

Char Pias

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.

Read More

Daniela Urbassek

Daniela Urbassek

Daniela Urbassek brings her massage expertise to her global students and her acupuncture patients. “I am passionate about the powerful impact of somatic and holistic practices.” Her transformational approach balancing body, mind, and spirit is rooted in Esalen studies, Traditional Chinese medicine, Craniosacral therapy, Aromatherapy, Yoga, and Qi Gong.

Read More

Categories:
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Workshop Schedule

Monday
5:00 pm – 5:45 * How to Drop into Esalen *
7:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
8:00 pm - 10:00pm - Optional Practice Session
Wednesday
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Thursday
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Friday
9:30 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

Char Pias and Daniela Urbassek

November 20–24, 2023
Register Now

Matter is Energy … Energy is Light … We are all Light Beings” — Albert Einstein

Each of us walks around within our own energy halo. When two people touch, we activate an energetic exchange. This felt relationship is the heart and soul of Esalen® Massage. With a spirit of gratitude throughout the week, we will practice grounding and  attuning inward by means of ancient Asian exercises. We will activate our hands and learn to palpate and awaken balance in our partner’s energy field, body, heart, mind, and spirit. Both givers and receivers will walk away refreshed.

The slow-paced lengthening strokes and details of Esalen Massage provide an accessible entry point for this healing modality, which offers relaxation, connection, and potent integration after physical trauma. Two senior massage teachers, each with professional backgrounds in Asian studies, will bring to life the practice of energy anatomy, including vital points and their effect on our well-being. They’ll teach through brief lecture demonstrations with ample time for hands-on practice, self-reflection, and sharing with classmates. The magnificent Big Sur land and sea will cradle our Thanksgiving week experience.

This course is geared toward beginners, couples looking for new ways to communicate, and practitioners and caregivers seeking a fresh focus. It provides 26 hours of hands-on instruction toward the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certificate.

Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.

Lead photo:
Kodiak Greenwood
Char Pias

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.

Read More

Daniela Urbassek

Daniela Urbassek brings her massage expertise to her global students and her acupuncture patients. “I am passionate about the powerful impact of somatic and holistic practices.” Her transformational approach balancing body, mind, and spirit is rooted in Esalen studies, Traditional Chinese medicine, Craniosacral therapy, Aromatherapy, Yoga, and Qi Gong.

Read More

Workshop Schedule

Monday
5:00 pm – 5:45 * How to Drop into Esalen *
7:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
8:00 pm - 10:00pm - Optional Practice Session
Wednesday
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Thursday
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Friday
9:30 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