Capacity Building Through Healing-Centered Learning Environments

With Angel Acosta and Yolanda Ruiz

October 17 - 19, 2025

Workshop Schedule

Friday
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm*How to Drop into Esalen*
7:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
4:15 pm – 6:15 pm
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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

  • Sleeping Bag Space – $560.00
  • Bunk Bed Space – $740.00
  • Standard Shared Space – $930.00
  • Standard Queen Room – $1,230.00
  • Standard Room Two Beds – $1,950.00
  • Premium Queen Room – $1,800.00
  • Premium King Room – $1,932.00
  • Premium Plus King Room – $2,184.00
  • Premium Wooden Yurt – $2,184.00
  • Premium Wooden Yurt Two Beds – $2,184.00
  • Rolf Suite – $4,176.00
  • Point House – $4,176.00
  • Fritz Point House – $4,176.00
  • South Point House – $5,000.00

We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking. — Richard Rohr

In a world in flux, where uncertainty is the norm, how do we cultivate the inner resilience to enact outer change? This workshop invites educators, social impact leaders, and business professionals to explore healing-centered learning environments as a means of building personal and collective capacity.

This guided weekend retreat experience integrates two transformational frameworks: the Healing-Centered Education Paradigm, a restorative and contemplative approach to learning and leadership, and the Archaeology of Self™ Methodology, a reflective practice of self-excavation to deepen self-awareness and disrupt biases.

During our time together, participants will engage in:

  • Mindfulness-based practices — grounding techniques to navigate uncertainty and develop inner clarity.
  • Somatic and embodied reflection — movement-based and sensory practices to attune to our body’s wisdom.
  • Journaling and critical reflection — guided writing exercises to explore personal narratives.
  • Peer-to-peer dialogue — interactive discussions to deepen connections and share insights.
  • Poetry writing and storytelling — creative practices to unearth wisdom and reimagine possibilities.

This retreat is for those at the intersection of education, leadership, and community care — those committed to deepening their own growth while contributing to collective healing and systemic transformation. Participants will be given the tools to discover a renewed sense of purpose and clarity in their work to leave rejuvenated, reinvigorated, intellectually stimulated, and spiritually grounded.

About the Leaders

Angel Acosta

Dr. Angel Acosta has worked to bridge the fields of leadership, social justice, and mindfulness for the last decade. He holds a doctorate degree in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. Acosta has supported educational leaders and their students by facilitating leadership trainings, creating pathways to higher education, and designing dynamic learning experiences. […]

Learn more about Angel Acosta

Yolanda Ruiz

Yolanda Sealey Ruiz is a poet, professor at Columbia University, and scholar-activist. She works with school districts, colleges, universities, and organizations across the country helping individuals build their racial literacy.

Learn more about Yolanda Ruiz

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