FF/RC
Internal use ONLY
Familiar Faculty
Offering Returning Content From Before 2020
Living Authentically: A Journey with Human Design
With Anne Van de Water
Imagine reaching the end of your life and realizing your biggest regret is that you never found the courage to live authentically because you lived the life others expected. In this workshop, we will embark on a transformative journey inspired by the wisdom of Human Design and the spirit of Esalen. Human Design blends ancient […]
The Self, Reframed: Exploration Through Somatic Self-Inquiry
With Lihi Benisty
In a world that often pulls us away from ourselves — into roles, expectations, and chronic busyness — there is power in returning to the body, the breath, and the truth of who we are. This weekend workshop offers an immersive experience in embodiment — a space to inquire, move, and breathe your way back […]
Starting the New Year Meditation Retreat: Self-Love and Kindness That Benefits All
With Mark Abramson
This retreat is a quiet, reflective New Year celebration with the opportunity to discover a deep, centered place within and brings together the rich, sensual experience of Esalen — the sounds of the ocean, the feeling of the air, and the beauty of its colors and textures with an opportunity to deeply connect with oneself […]
Writing and Mindfulness: Cultivating a Daily Meditation and a Daily Writing Practice
With Janis Cooke Newman
A consistent meditation practice lowers stress, improves health, strengthens relationships, and increases happiness. A consistent writing practice not only helps you make sense of the world, it also can make you a better, and more creative, writer. This combination writing and meditation workshop invites writers and meditators of all levels to delve deeply into both […]
Entering Your Creative Universe
With Paul Heussenstamm
This workshop invites you to explore the creative spirit that resides within each of us. Whether you are an experienced artist or simply seeking to uncover your potential, this meditative experience promises to be enriching. We will begin with colored pencils to open our hearts and let creativity flow naturally. Then, with acrylic paints, participants […]
Working in Three-Dimensional Space: Psychodrama for What Was Missing
With Bessel van der Kolk and Licia Sky
In this experiential workshop, pioneering trauma researcher and author of The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van der Kolk and somatic educator and co-founder of the Trauma Research Foundation Licia Sky apply psychodrama and theater techniques to create virtual experiences of safety, belonging, and protection. While trauma treatment tends to focus on “What happened to […]
Metta and the Divine Abodes: Meditation, Yoga, and Wisdom to Live a Better Life
With Hannah Muse
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver The Brahmavihārās (divine abodes) are profound practices that uncover your natural capacity to live your life easefully with love, connection, wisdom, and joy. In this experiential workshop, we’ll use daily guided meditation practices, storytelling, song, relational mindfulness […]
The Healing Art of Deep Bodywork®: Addressing Acute and Chronic Pain in the Back, Shoulders and Hips
With Perry Holloman and Johanna Holloman
Deep Bodywork®, when applied with great sensitivity, is one of the most effective healing modalities available to the professional bodyworker. It combines the integrating qualities of flowing massage with therapeutic deep tissue work to promote relaxation, restore tissue health, and support long-term structural change. Developed by the Hollomans over the course of 40 years, the […]
Planets and Poetry: Embodying Astrology Through the Expressive Arts
With Heidi Rose Robbins
Join Heidi Rose Robbins for an enlivening exploration of your astrological chart. Through group study, movement, writing, and poetry, we’ll bring our astrological map to life — and in so doing, we will practice loving, act courageously, and fully embrace our next life steps. In this workshop, we will come together in the beauty of […]
SoulCollage®: An Enchanting Path to Inner Wisdom
With Kimberly Lee
Set out on an enlightening journey of self-discovery, guided by your own intuition and creativity! In this immersive workshop, you’ll uncover and access inner wisdom through the inspiring SoulCollage® method. Developed by the late Seena Frost, this enchanting personal practice harnesses the magic of images, imagination, and intuition as a way to excavate insight and […]
Creative Catalyst: The Transformative Power of Making Art
With Dana Albany and Michael "Flash" Hopkins
The Artist lives within everyone! Art can be made out of just about anything! It’s a time to leave the critic behind and allow oneself to play, nourish, and replenish the creative spirit. It’s also a time to enjoy the company and camaraderie of like-minded peers. Now is your time to discover the joys of […]
Winter Renewal: Transitioning into the New Year with Ritual, Yoga and Time in Nature
With Toni Cupal
A journey to heal oneself and awaken deeply from within. Through meditation, yoga, and time in nature, we will tap into the stories our bodies have to tell and develop skills to nourish ourselves in 2026. This workshop focuses on the transition from one year to the next as an opportunity to purposefully cultivate a […]
Reawaken Creative Process
With The Brothers Koren
Explore your unique creative process and express your human potential in a weekend deep dive with The Brothers Koren. Discover your distinct creative personality and how to find harmony and coherence in your own creative process. The brothers specialize in facilitating a safe space for you to move beyond the inhibitions and align to your […]
Attuning to Love: A Sonic Sanctuary for Your Heart with Crystal Singing Bowls
With Deva Munay
Love is the bridge between you and everything. — Rumi What happens when we devote ourselves to attuning the heart through sound, breath, movement, and presence? In the beautiful setting of Esalen Institute, on the threshold of World Sound Healing Day and Valentine’s week, we’ll gather to awaken and stabilize the frequency of love in […]
Vibration Transformation: Cultivating Daily Health and Wellness Practices to Raise Your Vibration
With Anne Van de Water
Vibration Transformation is the art and practice of transforming the vibrations (or energies) of your beliefs, thoughts, feelings, words, and actions to align with your truest, deepest, highest self. As Albert Einstein said, “Everything in life is vibration.” We are all vibrational beings. Everything in our universe is made up of energy and vibrations. We […]
Love, Sex, and Intimacy for Individuals and Couples
With Linda Bloom and Charlie Bloom
For one human being to love another, that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks; the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation. — Rainer Maria Rilke Explore intimacy, love, and sensual pleasure — and learn to connect and successfully fulfill your desires. Nothing […]
Encounter: Meeting the Moment
With Andrea Juhan
To encounter someone, something, or someplace implies that it’s unexpected or a surprise. Encountering the moment means coming face-to-face with the unknown. In movement practice, we train ourselves to stay open, curious, centered, and responsive at the front edge of any encounter — counterbalancing those innate primal reactions to fight, flee, freeze, or please. Rather […]
Make Peace with your Judging Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Help Free You from the Inner Critic
With Mark Coleman
Have you noticed the painful effects of self-judgment? Do you feel tormented by negative critical self-talk and the harsh words of the inner critic? Are you prone to judging everything you do as not good enough, not quite right, or not up to some impossibly high standard? Do you find yourself harshly judging your meditation, […]
Trauma, Memory and the Restoration of One’s Self
With Bessel van der Kolk and Licia Sky
This workshop explores ways of representing and befriending our inner experience. Therapies that work all start from a basic sense of calm and safety. The calmer we are, the more we can allow ourselves to know what we know, and to feel what we feel. Trauma changes the way the brain processes information and the […]