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.
Gestalt Practice at its core is an awareness practice, meant to cultivate embodied, present-moment awareness of the unfolding experience of the here and now on a journey toward authentic wholeness and radical aliveness.
Utilizing the Gestalt Awareness Movement and basic neuroscience, we’ll learn practices that support a more deeply embodied daily life and become increasingly aware of our habitual, reactive, behavioral and emotional patterns – especially those that may no longer be skillful.
We will exercise our emotional and somatic intelligence in parallel to support, respect, and gently turn toward what arises moment to moment, and learn to allow more space and respect for silence, sensation, emotional expression, and communication.
During this workshop we will explore the rich practices and principles of Gestalt Practice, apply them to daily life, and begin to experience the simple yet profound potential for growth towards authentic wholeness and radical aliveness.
Gestalt Practice cultivates curiosity, equanimity, and acceptance with greater choice for creative possibilities. Rather than focusing on “fixing”, a “cure”, or seeking “accomplishment”, this approach offers methods to aid you in:
Together we will explore the foundations of Gestalt Practice primarily through experiential personal and interactive practices. Gestalt exercises will be done in pairs, triads, and groups, allowing participants to grow their awareness and learn how we can improve our relationships – to self and others.
Steven will make time for some students to experience classic Open Seat practice in one-to-one sessions with the leader in the roles of Initiator and Reflector while in the context of the group.
Through Gestalt we bear witness to ineffable mysteries that can bring us to living life more fully. Participants are invited to show up, choosing to be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, and open to what life presents — letting life live through us.
The workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience. A welcome letter will be sent upon registration along with additional information about our time together.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Steven Harper is a wilderness leader, author, personal and organizational facilitator, and Big Sur resident. A student of meditation since 1972, he weaves Buddhist psychology, mindfulness practices, and neuropsychology into his work. He is a long-time student and facilitator of Gestalt Practice in the tradition of Esalen’s co-founder, Richard Price.
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Mon 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tue - Thu 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Tue - Thu 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Fri 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.
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.
Gestalt Practice at its core is an awareness practice, meant to cultivate embodied, present-moment awareness of the unfolding experience of the here and now on a journey toward authentic wholeness and radical aliveness.
Utilizing the Gestalt Awareness Movement and basic neuroscience, we’ll learn practices that support a more deeply embodied daily life and become increasingly aware of our habitual, reactive, behavioral and emotional patterns – especially those that may no longer be skillful.
We will exercise our emotional and somatic intelligence in parallel to support, respect, and gently turn toward what arises moment to moment, and learn to allow more space and respect for silence, sensation, emotional expression, and communication.
During this workshop we will explore the rich practices and principles of Gestalt Practice, apply them to daily life, and begin to experience the simple yet profound potential for growth towards authentic wholeness and radical aliveness.
Gestalt Practice cultivates curiosity, equanimity, and acceptance with greater choice for creative possibilities. Rather than focusing on “fixing”, a “cure”, or seeking “accomplishment”, this approach offers methods to aid you in:
Together we will explore the foundations of Gestalt Practice primarily through experiential personal and interactive practices. Gestalt exercises will be done in pairs, triads, and groups, allowing participants to grow their awareness and learn how we can improve our relationships – to self and others.
Steven will make time for some students to experience classic Open Seat practice in one-to-one sessions with the leader in the roles of Initiator and Reflector while in the context of the group.
Through Gestalt we bear witness to ineffable mysteries that can bring us to living life more fully. Participants are invited to show up, choosing to be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, and open to what life presents — letting life live through us.
The workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience. A welcome letter will be sent upon registration along with additional information about our time together.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Steven Harper is a wilderness leader, author, personal and organizational facilitator, and Big Sur resident. A student of meditation since 1972, he weaves Buddhist psychology, mindfulness practices, and neuropsychology into his work. He is a long-time student and facilitator of Gestalt Practice in the tradition of Esalen’s co-founder, Richard Price.
December 13–17, 2021
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
Gestalt Practice at its core is an awareness practice, meant to cultivate embodied, present-moment awareness of the unfolding experience of the here and now on a journey toward authentic wholeness and radical aliveness.
Utilizing the Gestalt Awareness Movement and basic neuroscience, we’ll learn practices that support a more deeply embodied daily life and become increasingly aware of our habitual, reactive, behavioral and emotional patterns – especially those that may no longer be skillful.
We will exercise our emotional and somatic intelligence in parallel to support, respect, and gently turn toward what arises moment to moment, and learn to allow more space and respect for silence, sensation, emotional expression, and communication.
During this workshop we will explore the rich practices and principles of Gestalt Practice, apply them to daily life, and begin to experience the simple yet profound potential for growth towards authentic wholeness and radical aliveness.
Gestalt Practice cultivates curiosity, equanimity, and acceptance with greater choice for creative possibilities. Rather than focusing on “fixing”, a “cure”, or seeking “accomplishment”, this approach offers methods to aid you in:
Together we will explore the foundations of Gestalt Practice primarily through experiential personal and interactive practices. Gestalt exercises will be done in pairs, triads, and groups, allowing participants to grow their awareness and learn how we can improve our relationships – to self and others.
Steven will make time for some students to experience classic Open Seat practice in one-to-one sessions with the leader in the roles of Initiator and Reflector while in the context of the group.
Through Gestalt we bear witness to ineffable mysteries that can bring us to living life more fully. Participants are invited to show up, choosing to be present, pay attention to what has heart and meaning, and open to what life presents — letting life live through us.
The workshop is appropriate for all levels of experience. A welcome letter will be sent upon registration along with additional information about our time together.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Steven Harper is a wilderness leader, author, personal and organizational facilitator, and Big Sur resident. A student of meditation since 1972, he weaves Buddhist psychology, mindfulness practices, and neuropsychology into his work. He is a long-time student and facilitator of Gestalt Practice in the tradition of Esalen’s co-founder, Richard Price.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org