The Self-Guided Explorations format offers a more freeform, spacious experience outside the structure of a workshop. Self-Guided guests come to celebrate, to grieve, to question, to make space, to transition. We’re here to support you on your path, whatever shape the journey takes. This self-directed experience is enriched by a variety of classes led by world-class, compassionate instructors who skillfully meet you where you are, as you are. The journey is yours to design and to savor.
This is a time to practice honoring your own rhythm and your own desires. It’s a time to discover and to remember— a time to heal. The power and majestic beauty of the land, the medicine of community, the nourishing meals, the healing waters, the expansive discussions and lectures, and expert guidance in an array of transformative modalites all converge to help usher you into the next chapter of your life. Whether you’re with us for a weekend or a week, our intention is that you leave revitalized and inspired.
Our dynamic open class schedule changes weekly, but always features rich experiences that invite you to tend to heart, body, mind, and spirit, with opportunities to nurture community. Upon arrival you’ll be warmly welcomed home — whether you’re joining us for the first time or the tenth — and invited to sit in circle with your fellow seekers to set intentions for your stay. As you feel called, enjoy classes in yoga, dance, meditation, art, wildcrafting, relational awareness, breathwork and more. The choice is yours to take daily dips in the creek, meditate in the garden, write your Morning Pages to the soundtrack of the ocean, or enjoy a book by the pool. A closing circle on the final day provides a reflective conclusion to your time with us, readying you to integrate your discoveries as you return to your communities.
Savor three hearty, healthy meals per day in our central gathering place, the Lodge. Our kitchen draws on global culinary traditions, using the mindfully harvested fruits (and veggies) of the Esalen Farm & Garden and other local Big Sur providers to prepare delicious meals that support holistic health — for you and for the earth. Enjoy your meals in solitude — with an awe-inspiring view — or have a seat at one of the communal tables so you can break bread with new friends. To complement your meals, our coffee bar offers all the standard coffee and espresso drinks, along with a variety of specialty beverages, many of which incorporate herbs and flowers from our verdant garden. At dinner, you are welcome to enjoy a glass of wine, beer, sake, or zero proof beverage from our sommelier-driven list.
Esalen’s beloved mineral hot springs perch dramatically over the Pacific Ocean, a juxtaposition of intimate and infinite. A core part of Esalen since its inception, the baths and tubs are an ideal place to reflect, to listen, to find clarity, and to set new intentions. The baths are also a stirring place to feel into the inspiration evoked by our whale, dolphin, and otter friends.
Choose Your DatesThis is a sample schedule only. Please refer to the posted schedule on campus for actual class offerings during your stay.
See general schedule information including arrival, departure, and meal times.
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Exploration Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Afternoon Class
Visiting Faculty
4:30 pm
Intro to Gestalt
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
2:15 – 3:15 pm
Bathing Rituals of Self-Renewal
Micha
7:30 pm
Wednesday Evening Program
Visiting Faculty
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
2:15 – 3:15 pm
The Hive and the Hum
Deva
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Bathing Rituals of Self-Renewal
Micha
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
No classes on Monday
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
No classes on Sunday
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4 – 5:00 pm
Restore
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Exploration Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
4:30 pm
Intro to Gestalt
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
7:30 pm
Wed Evening Program
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 pam
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 pam
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
7:00 – 7:45 pm
Orientation
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Experience Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
7:30 pm
Wed Evening Program
Visiting Faculty
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
7:00 – 7:45 pm
Orientation
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
No classes today
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Restore
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
7:30 – 8:30 am
Enliven
4:00 – 5:00 pm
Expand
No classes today
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
8:00 – 9:00 pm
Self Guided Exploration Welcome Circle
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Moja Yoga
Megan
7:30 pm
Wednesday Evening Program
Visiting Faculty
7:30 – 8:30 am
Soul Movement Sanctuary
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
5:00 – 5:45 pm
How to Drop Into Esalen
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pathways to Joy
JJ
7:30 – 8:30 am
Pranotthan Yoga
Jovinna
11:00 – 11:45 am
Self Guided Exploration Closing Circle
Micha Merrick
(
Ongoing
)
Meditate with the surging energy of the waves and let tension dissolve on the ocean breeze. Adorned with flowers and local healing herbs, this unique experience at the Esalen baths blends personal inquiry, herbal education, and sensory delight. Each ritual is an emergent collaboration of sound, sensation, intention, and floral offering to the sea. Come early, class size is very limited.
Sadia Bruce
(
Ongoing
)
A spacious, slow-paced exploration of the body home using therapeutic yoga and other somatic modalities to make space for breath, alleviate tension, and access greater mobility and fluidity— in flesh and bones, and in life. Accessible to all levels.
Sadia Bruce
(
Ongoing
)
Rhythmic breathwork for breath-body intimacy and heightened aliveness. Learn to shape, adapt and dance with your breath through joyful experimentation, using the medicine of rhythm as your anchor.
Staff
(
Ongoing
)
So, you’ve finally arrived at Esalen — welcome home! Join us in exploring Esalen’s historic, culture-shifting origins, the vision for human potential, and our core values, as we embark on another 60 years of transformational education. Prepare to learn, grow, experiment, and evolve as we shepherd you on how best to integrate into this unique community and get the most out of your time on this sacred, ancient land.
JJ Jeffries
(
Ongoing
)
Gestalt, like meditation, is an awareness practice that also provides a means for us to connect in the present moment. In this class, we will re-create and experience an Esalen style check-in, building spontaneous and intentional community. An Esalen tradition.
Megan Cassamas
(
Ongoing
)
MojaFlow is an experience to provoke and elevate you to discover new realms of energy and inspire you to experience the joy of going beyond barriers in your own practice and life. Class will include a somatic warm-up, breath-work, and strengthening exercises to support the body/mind connection.
JJ Jeffries
(
Ongoing
)
Start your morning by awakening your energetic body, tracking each of the chakras through the experience of meditative guitar and resonant voice. Then, emerge fully into sunrise energy with Dance Awake, connecting to your YES! and inviting ecstatic play and heart opening!
Jovinna Chan
(
Ongoing
)
In class we contemplate spiritual/philosophical teachings, slow down and move mindfully by co-ordinating breath with movement, sustain poses to deepen focus and awareness, practice breathing exercises and meditation to hone skillfulness in listening to the inner subtle experiences.
Jovinna Chan
(
Ongoing
)
This is a conscious dance practice for people who love or are curious about movement. Here in the company of non-dancers and dancers, we get supple and strong, we explore expressions, we celebrate creativity, we expand empathy, we move and are moved.
Sadia Bruce
(
Ongoing
)
Take a somatic dive into the depths of the self with an enlivening, vigorous moving meditation that borrows from a variety of modalities, incorporates ancestral movement, and culminates in seated stillness. Shake, sound, and dance your way to deepened connection with your miraculous body, and with the body of the world.
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.
Photos: Daniel Bianchetta, Ali Kaukas, Jens Wazel.