Art as Medicine

With Daria Halprin

March 3 - 7, 2025

Workshop Schedule

Monday
5:00 pm – 5:45 * How to Drop into Esalen *
7:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Thursday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

See general schedule information including arrival, departure and meal times.

  • Sleeping Bag Space – $940.00
  • Bunk Bed Space – $1,240.00
  • Standard Shared Space – $1,560.00
  • Standard Queen Room – $2,060.00
  • Standard Room Two Beds – $3,260.00
  • Premium Queen Room – $2,860.00
  • Premium King Room – $3,060.00
  • Premium Plus King Room – $3,460.00
  • Premium Wooden Yurt – $3,460.00
  • Premium Wooden Yurt Two Beds – $3,460.00
  • Rolf Suite – $6,560.00
  • Point House – $6,560.00
  • Fritz Point House – $6,560.00
  • South Point House – $8,000.00

“If art doesn’t make us better, then what on earth is it for?”  –Alice Walker

How can  art contribute to healing while staying centered in the creative process? What kind of art-making responds to the therapeutic experience? What does it mean to live an aesthetic life? And what is possible when we do?

In the early 1960s, a new interdisciplinary approach was developed to explore and respond  to these questions: The Halprin Life/Art Process. This work influenced the worlds of dance, environmental design, theater, and psychology.  This workshop will be an immersive experience in that approach to the creative process, movement, and healing art. It is aimed at those who identify as artists as well as those who are simply lovers of art seeking to open the doors of their own creativity.

We will enter into an exploration of art-making as a way to encounter and explore themes, challenges, and dreams that are informing our lives. Maps and methods will be taught that are easily accessible and applicable to personal and professional practice. 

The opening welcome session will create an environment of group collaboration, including intention setting, play, and collaboration. Each day that follows will emphasize different mediums, including movement/dance, drawing, and poetry/narrative. On the fourth day, we’ll develop ritual performances for participants to present artwork dedicated to something personal and meaningful.

Participants may expect to leave with the following:

  • Specific models to facilitate embodied art-making
  • Examples of art as a healing force
  • A communication tool that supports giving and receiving feedback
  • Community building exercises
  • A personal art practice that supports living an aesthetic life

Participants must bring the following: Writing materials and a special writers journal, a box of  varied and well  supplied Craypas pastels/water colors if desired.

About the Leader

Daria Halprin

Daria Halprin is among the leading pioneers in the field of movement/dance, expressive arts education and therapy. With Anna Halprin she co-founded Tamalpa Institute, and was instrumental in the development of the Halprin Life/Art Process, as an innovative approach to psychology, artistic practice, and dance as a healing force. Bringing a life-long practice in the […]

Learn more about Daria Halprin

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