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.
This workshop calls you to rest in the natural beauty of Big Sur while gaining a foundation in the art and practice of Esalen® Massage. You will learn to sensitively listen to your partner and yourself. The basic core of Esalen Massage includes grounding, moving from the center, quality of touch, proper draping, applying classic Esalen long lengthening strokes, and listening 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. Each day will include a brief massage demonstration, including instruction in self-care, with plenty of time to practice giving and receiving with your classmates. By the end of the week, you will be able to give and receive a simple and satisfying massage session.
The instructors will accommodate the group’s different skill levels with at-the-table guidance. Beginners will be taught the basic tools to more skillfully massage their partners, friends, and family. Experienced practitioners will gain techniques that can easily be integrated into their massage sessions, inspiring and infusing their work with a deep sense of presence and flow. An optional evening at the baths — the birthplace of Esalen massage — will be included, weather and space permitting. This workshop is especially useful for those wishing to learn massage and those in the helping and healing professions working with their clients and patients.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Ellen Watson fell in love with breath when she first arrived at Esalen in the 1980s. During the ensuing years, studying breath became a focus in all her pursuits. In addition to enhancing self-awareness, breath informs all the practices Ellen teaches at Esalen today. Among these practices are Esalen Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms®, Touching Essence, and the Vibrance Collective Practices.
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Robin Fann Costanzo is a senior instructor who uses her background in dance and yoga to inform her practice. Robin specializes in trauma resolution and applies that to her practice.
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Mon 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tue, Wed, Thu 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Tue, Wed, 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Thu 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thu 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm (optional)
Fri 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.
This workshop calls you to rest in the natural beauty of Big Sur while gaining a foundation in the art and practice of Esalen® Massage. You will learn to sensitively listen to your partner and yourself. The basic core of Esalen Massage includes grounding, moving from the center, quality of touch, proper draping, applying classic Esalen long lengthening strokes, and listening 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. Each day will include a brief massage demonstration, including instruction in self-care, with plenty of time to practice giving and receiving with your classmates. By the end of the week, you will be able to give and receive a simple and satisfying massage session.
The instructors will accommodate the group’s different skill levels with at-the-table guidance. Beginners will be taught the basic tools to more skillfully massage their partners, friends, and family. Experienced practitioners will gain techniques that can easily be integrated into their massage sessions, inspiring and infusing their work with a deep sense of presence and flow. An optional evening at the baths — the birthplace of Esalen massage — will be included, weather and space permitting. This workshop is especially useful for those wishing to learn massage and those in the helping and healing professions working with their clients and patients.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Ellen Watson fell in love with breath when she first arrived at Esalen in the 1980s. During the ensuing years, studying breath became a focus in all her pursuits. In addition to enhancing self-awareness, breath informs all the practices Ellen teaches at Esalen today. Among these practices are Esalen Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms®, Touching Essence, and the Vibrance Collective Practices.
Robin Fann Costanzo is a senior instructor who uses her background in dance and yoga to inform her practice. Robin specializes in trauma resolution and applies that to her practice.
May 30 – June 3, 2022
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
This workshop calls you to rest in the natural beauty of Big Sur while gaining a foundation in the art and practice of Esalen® Massage. You will learn to sensitively listen to your partner and yourself. The basic core of Esalen Massage includes grounding, moving from the center, quality of touch, proper draping, applying classic Esalen long lengthening strokes, and listening 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. Each day will include a brief massage demonstration, including instruction in self-care, with plenty of time to practice giving and receiving with your classmates. By the end of the week, you will be able to give and receive a simple and satisfying massage session.
The instructors will accommodate the group’s different skill levels with at-the-table guidance. Beginners will be taught the basic tools to more skillfully massage their partners, friends, and family. Experienced practitioners will gain techniques that can easily be integrated into their massage sessions, inspiring and infusing their work with a deep sense of presence and flow. An optional evening at the baths — the birthplace of Esalen massage — will be included, weather and space permitting. This workshop is especially useful for those wishing to learn massage and those in the helping and healing professions working with their clients and patients.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Ellen Watson fell in love with breath when she first arrived at Esalen in the 1980s. During the ensuing years, studying breath became a focus in all her pursuits. In addition to enhancing self-awareness, breath informs all the practices Ellen teaches at Esalen today. Among these practices are Esalen Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms®, Touching Essence, and the Vibrance Collective Practices.
Robin Fann Costanzo is a senior instructor who uses her background in dance and yoga to inform her practice. Robin specializes in trauma resolution and applies that to her practice.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org