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.
After the holiday season, it’s time to return to the inward journey, to focus on your inner artist. Whether you are just beginning your creative journey or returning, this workshop utilizes approachable modalities of yoga, meditation, and writing, welcoming all to attend.
Using humor, levity, and creativity, intuitive meditation and movement guide Cara Chandler and writer, artist, and creator Darnell Lamont Walker will lead you through the journey of affirming your inner artist, recognizing your creative blocks, and understanding the creative process.
In a group setting, you will move your body, find your breath, observe your mind, and fill pages with your words. This workshop will include:
Each movement and mindfulness segment will calm your body and mind while connecting you with your inner voice. The yoga practice is a holistic, Hatha-inspired approach, with a physical practice to support you in re-discovering your intuition. The meditation practice shifts you out of the analytical mind to bring awareness to your subtle body, breath, and creative obstacles. The writing practice is a natural, complementary practice to yoga and meditation, bringing the mind together with the embodied self.
Darnell’s work as a writing teacher is based on years of healing writing practices and is greatly inspired by writers and teachers who encouraged their students and readers to let go of fear and live fully in their creativity. This weekend workshop will foster an environment that will encourage you to confidently call yourself an artist. You will have the opportunity to authentically cultivate techniques and rituals that will fuel your creativity and give you the audacity to integrate it all into your daily lives.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Cara is a Hatha Yoga RYT certified yoga teacher, Yoga Nidra certified, has a bachelor's in Film & Television studies and a master's in Psychology. She spent over a decade working in the TV industry, helping storytellers find their voice and share authentic stories. Her unique teaching style blends storytelling, movement, and connection with the intuitive voice.
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Darnell writes because writing somehow keeps the world from collapsing in on itself. As an author, poet, playwright, and screenwriter, Darnell approaches the page with an enormous amount of tenderness and audacity, teaching others to do the same.
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Fri 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Sat 4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Sat 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 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.
After the holiday season, it’s time to return to the inward journey, to focus on your inner artist. Whether you are just beginning your creative journey or returning, this workshop utilizes approachable modalities of yoga, meditation, and writing, welcoming all to attend.
Using humor, levity, and creativity, intuitive meditation and movement guide Cara Chandler and writer, artist, and creator Darnell Lamont Walker will lead you through the journey of affirming your inner artist, recognizing your creative blocks, and understanding the creative process.
In a group setting, you will move your body, find your breath, observe your mind, and fill pages with your words. This workshop will include:
Each movement and mindfulness segment will calm your body and mind while connecting you with your inner voice. The yoga practice is a holistic, Hatha-inspired approach, with a physical practice to support you in re-discovering your intuition. The meditation practice shifts you out of the analytical mind to bring awareness to your subtle body, breath, and creative obstacles. The writing practice is a natural, complementary practice to yoga and meditation, bringing the mind together with the embodied self.
Darnell’s work as a writing teacher is based on years of healing writing practices and is greatly inspired by writers and teachers who encouraged their students and readers to let go of fear and live fully in their creativity. This weekend workshop will foster an environment that will encourage you to confidently call yourself an artist. You will have the opportunity to authentically cultivate techniques and rituals that will fuel your creativity and give you the audacity to integrate it all into your daily lives.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Cara is a Hatha Yoga RYT certified yoga teacher, Yoga Nidra certified, has a bachelor's in Film & Television studies and a master's in Psychology. She spent over a decade working in the TV industry, helping storytellers find their voice and share authentic stories. Her unique teaching style blends storytelling, movement, and connection with the intuitive voice.
Darnell writes because writing somehow keeps the world from collapsing in on itself. As an author, poet, playwright, and screenwriter, Darnell approaches the page with an enormous amount of tenderness and audacity, teaching others to do the same.
January 7–9, 2022
This program is full. Find another.
Applications are closed.
Applications are closed.
After the holiday season, it’s time to return to the inward journey, to focus on your inner artist. Whether you are just beginning your creative journey or returning, this workshop utilizes approachable modalities of yoga, meditation, and writing, welcoming all to attend.
Using humor, levity, and creativity, intuitive meditation and movement guide Cara Chandler and writer, artist, and creator Darnell Lamont Walker will lead you through the journey of affirming your inner artist, recognizing your creative blocks, and understanding the creative process.
In a group setting, you will move your body, find your breath, observe your mind, and fill pages with your words. This workshop will include:
Each movement and mindfulness segment will calm your body and mind while connecting you with your inner voice. The yoga practice is a holistic, Hatha-inspired approach, with a physical practice to support you in re-discovering your intuition. The meditation practice shifts you out of the analytical mind to bring awareness to your subtle body, breath, and creative obstacles. The writing practice is a natural, complementary practice to yoga and meditation, bringing the mind together with the embodied self.
Darnell’s work as a writing teacher is based on years of healing writing practices and is greatly inspired by writers and teachers who encouraged their students and readers to let go of fear and live fully in their creativity. This weekend workshop will foster an environment that will encourage you to confidently call yourself an artist. You will have the opportunity to authentically cultivate techniques and rituals that will fuel your creativity and give you the audacity to integrate it all into your daily lives.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Cara is a Hatha Yoga RYT certified yoga teacher, Yoga Nidra certified, has a bachelor's in Film & Television studies and a master's in Psychology. She spent over a decade working in the TV industry, helping storytellers find their voice and share authentic stories. Her unique teaching style blends storytelling, movement, and connection with the intuitive voice.
Darnell writes because writing somehow keeps the world from collapsing in on itself. As an author, poet, playwright, and screenwriter, Darnell approaches the page with an enormous amount of tenderness and audacity, teaching others to do the same.
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org