During the fall months, nature becomes a stellar metaphor for our own self-care. As daylight hours diminish, we’re given more opportunities to invite stillness into our lives, reflect on the events that took place during the months that passed, and consider the ripe, internal harvests that can be collected.
“Natural timing feels like an important element to the season and the gift of stillness and patience brings added awareness to self-care,” says Healing Arts & Somatics Director Douglas Drummond.
“Here at Esalen, the beautiful monarch butterflies make their way back to the property, welcomed here to rest and connect after their arduous journey of thousands of miles. So, rest is such a key component of self-care and I continue to realize how many opportunities are available at Esalen that support that and the introspective experience.”
One opportunity to experience rest and a “tuning inwards” is an Esalen massage, best described as the interface and integration of form, energy, structure and soul. With its nurturing contact, integrating strokes and detailed attention to the whole body, the massage provides a state of deep relaxation and healing.
What are some of the unique aspects of an Esalen massage? Take a look:
Salt Air: Perched on a majestic bluff overlooking the Pacific where aquamarine waves meet the land below, there are many benefits to a cliffside massage beyond the awe-inspiring view. The negative ions in sea air accelerate our body’s ability to absorb oxygen and balance serotonin levels, the body chemical linked with mood and stress. The result creates a wonderful opportunity for a state of complete relaxation and renewal.
Sensory-awareness Practices: Esalen’s massage practitioners lean into the present moment, taking several minutes prior to the massage to create a grounded and centered inner space. This quality of presence creates space for intuition to influence the entire massage session.
Long Flowing Strokes: Esalen’s signature long, flowing strokes support feelings of wholeness, connection and integration. Instead of looking at the individual parts of the body as separate from each other, the wholeness of the integrated being is emphasized during the massage, incorporating long, integrating strokes for which Esalen massage is known.
Stillness: There’s nowhere else to go but inward. During a massage, we’re offered ample time to connect with our breath, our intentions and our ability to be nurtured unconditionally.
A Legacy of Experience: The estimated amount of years of experience, collectively, shared between the skilled group of Esalen massage practitioners is 200 years.
To learn more about Esalen Massage® or to enjoy an experience, visit Healing Arts & Somatics on our website.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
During the fall months, nature becomes a stellar metaphor for our own self-care. As daylight hours diminish, we’re given more opportunities to invite stillness into our lives, reflect on the events that took place during the months that passed, and consider the ripe, internal harvests that can be collected.
“Natural timing feels like an important element to the season and the gift of stillness and patience brings added awareness to self-care,” says Healing Arts & Somatics Director Douglas Drummond.
“Here at Esalen, the beautiful monarch butterflies make their way back to the property, welcomed here to rest and connect after their arduous journey of thousands of miles. So, rest is such a key component of self-care and I continue to realize how many opportunities are available at Esalen that support that and the introspective experience.”
One opportunity to experience rest and a “tuning inwards” is an Esalen massage, best described as the interface and integration of form, energy, structure and soul. With its nurturing contact, integrating strokes and detailed attention to the whole body, the massage provides a state of deep relaxation and healing.
What are some of the unique aspects of an Esalen massage? Take a look:
Salt Air: Perched on a majestic bluff overlooking the Pacific where aquamarine waves meet the land below, there are many benefits to a cliffside massage beyond the awe-inspiring view. The negative ions in sea air accelerate our body’s ability to absorb oxygen and balance serotonin levels, the body chemical linked with mood and stress. The result creates a wonderful opportunity for a state of complete relaxation and renewal.
Sensory-awareness Practices: Esalen’s massage practitioners lean into the present moment, taking several minutes prior to the massage to create a grounded and centered inner space. This quality of presence creates space for intuition to influence the entire massage session.
Long Flowing Strokes: Esalen’s signature long, flowing strokes support feelings of wholeness, connection and integration. Instead of looking at the individual parts of the body as separate from each other, the wholeness of the integrated being is emphasized during the massage, incorporating long, integrating strokes for which Esalen massage is known.
Stillness: There’s nowhere else to go but inward. During a massage, we’re offered ample time to connect with our breath, our intentions and our ability to be nurtured unconditionally.
A Legacy of Experience: The estimated amount of years of experience, collectively, shared between the skilled group of Esalen massage practitioners is 200 years.
To learn more about Esalen Massage® or to enjoy an experience, visit Healing Arts & Somatics on our website.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
During the fall months, nature becomes a stellar metaphor for our own self-care. As daylight hours diminish, we’re given more opportunities to invite stillness into our lives, reflect on the events that took place during the months that passed, and consider the ripe, internal harvests that can be collected.
“Natural timing feels like an important element to the season and the gift of stillness and patience brings added awareness to self-care,” says Healing Arts & Somatics Director Douglas Drummond.
“Here at Esalen, the beautiful monarch butterflies make their way back to the property, welcomed here to rest and connect after their arduous journey of thousands of miles. So, rest is such a key component of self-care and I continue to realize how many opportunities are available at Esalen that support that and the introspective experience.”
One opportunity to experience rest and a “tuning inwards” is an Esalen massage, best described as the interface and integration of form, energy, structure and soul. With its nurturing contact, integrating strokes and detailed attention to the whole body, the massage provides a state of deep relaxation and healing.
What are some of the unique aspects of an Esalen massage? Take a look:
Salt Air: Perched on a majestic bluff overlooking the Pacific where aquamarine waves meet the land below, there are many benefits to a cliffside massage beyond the awe-inspiring view. The negative ions in sea air accelerate our body’s ability to absorb oxygen and balance serotonin levels, the body chemical linked with mood and stress. The result creates a wonderful opportunity for a state of complete relaxation and renewal.
Sensory-awareness Practices: Esalen’s massage practitioners lean into the present moment, taking several minutes prior to the massage to create a grounded and centered inner space. This quality of presence creates space for intuition to influence the entire massage session.
Long Flowing Strokes: Esalen’s signature long, flowing strokes support feelings of wholeness, connection and integration. Instead of looking at the individual parts of the body as separate from each other, the wholeness of the integrated being is emphasized during the massage, incorporating long, integrating strokes for which Esalen massage is known.
Stillness: There’s nowhere else to go but inward. During a massage, we’re offered ample time to connect with our breath, our intentions and our ability to be nurtured unconditionally.
A Legacy of Experience: The estimated amount of years of experience, collectively, shared between the skilled group of Esalen massage practitioners is 200 years.
To learn more about Esalen Massage® or to enjoy an experience, visit Healing Arts & Somatics on our website.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org