Esalen® Massage Teacher Training Application

Embark on a transformative journey designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge to become an Introductory Level Teacher of Esalen® Massage.

Eligibility Requirements

Certification in Esalen® Massage with at least two years of experience and over 350 private massage sessions conducted.
Proficient at a movement/meditation practice that supports teaching Esalen® Massage.
Letter of recommendation form an Esalen® Massage Teacher.

Program Overview

The Esalen® Massage Teacher Training Program spans the world from the iconic Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California to the serene landscapes of Bali, Indonesia. This program promises to be a rich and personally transformative experience.

This training program is comprised of two modules that will take place in two separate locations:

Module I
Program Dates: February 8 - March 7, 2025
Location: Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
Tuition Rate*: $5450.00 and up, collected by Esalen Institute
*Fee note: An additional mentor fee of $450.00 will be paid directly to the instructors and is not included in the Esalen tuition rate.
Application Information: This is the application form for the Module 1 portion of the training program.

Module I will focus on building our community and learning the leadership skills necessary to become an Introductory Esalen® Massage teacher. Throughout this module, we will delve into the core principles and history of Esalen® Massage, emphasizing experiential learning—a cornerstone of our teaching methodology.

Each day will start with mindfulness practices, followed by sessions designed to develop foundational teaching skills. You will learn how to build a cohesive group dynamic, project your voice effectively, and create a nurturing learning environment that accommodates diverse learning styles. We will also cover inclusivity, building safety within the group, understanding group dynamics, and delivering clear, effective demonstrations.

Our time at Esalen will prioritize peer practice and presentation skills. You will engage in group teaching exercises and receive constructive feedback. Additionally, you will be assigned a mentor to work with you one-on-one, guiding you through the teacher training process. Upon completing Module I, you will be invited to apply for Module II.

Module II
Program Dates: October 8 - 25, 2025
Location: Mimpi Menjangan, Bali
Tuition Rate: $4950.00 and up (these fees will not be collected by Esalen Institute)
Application Information: Students who successfully complete Module 1 and the assigned homework will be invited to apply for Module II.

In the tranquil setting of Bali, we will deepen and hone the skills acquired in Module I. This module will include a review of the homework classes and the introduction of advanced teaching techniques aimed at refining your professional and personal growth.

Key topics covered in Bali will include understanding teacher ethics, the power differential, embodying and teaching ethics, and effectively closing a group. You will have ample opportunities to teach in small group settings, practice your skills, and receive feedback.

Between Modules
To ensure the skills you learned are fully integrated, you will be required to teach two classes on your own between modules. During this period, we will also hold Zoom meetings to maintain group connection and support your development. Participation in these activities is mandatory to progress to Module II.

Module I Details

Esalen Institute is located in a rugged setting on the Central California Coast. Staff and students live in close contact with one another. Privacy is at a minimum. The closest major town is Monterey, one hour away by personal car. You will meet five-and-a-half days a week from morning until night. Please consider these factors carefully.

This course is rigorous and requires your full attention and attendance. It is not appropriate for those in recent recovery from intoxicants or emotional challenges.

General Class Schedule

First Sunday
2:00 PM - 6:15 PM

Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
9:45 AM - 1:00 PM
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Tuesdays only

Saturday
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Remaining Sundays
OFF

Program Rate and Cancellation Information
Please see Section 2 below for program pricing and accommodation options.

Deposit and Final Balance
If accepted to the program:

A deposit of 30% will be required to secure your space in the program. The deposit must be received within 7 days of notification of acceptance.
The final balance will be due 10 days prior to the start of the program.

Cancellation Policy
If you cancel your registration:

30 or more days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a $150.00 Cancel Fee. Any remaining amount paid will be refunded.
15 to 29 days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a Cancel Fee of 15% of the reservation total. Any remaining amount paid will be refunded.
7 to 14 days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a Cancel Fee of 30% of the reservation total. Any remaining amount paid will be refunded.
Less than 7 days prior to your arrival date, you will forfeit the entire reservation total and no refund will be provided.

For any questions about this training program, please contact massagecert@esalen.org.

* These fields are required

1 Welcome

2 Esalen® Massage Teacher Training Module I Price

Esalen® Massage Teacher Training price option is the standard rate for this program and is all-inclusive* for one person including all classes, meals, lodging, tuition and access to the oceanside hot spring baths. Lodging is dorm-style, all-genders housing with four students to a room.

Limited Private Lodging Available

Those who prefer a private accommodation may select the Standard Queen Room price option. These spaces are limited and first-come, first-served. This price option is all-inclusive* for one person including all classes, meals, lodging in a private standard room with queen bed, tuition and access to the oceanside hot spring baths.

*Please note that in addition to Esalen's all-inclusive rate, there is a $450.00 mentor fee payable directly to the program instructors.

Select an option*

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Esalen Massage® Teacher Training Shared Room

All-inclusive for one person which includes all classes, meals, lodging, tuition and access to the oceanside hot spring baths. Accommodations...

Guests in Room:
In rooms

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$5,450

$5,450

$5,450
Esalen Massage® Teacher Training Shared Room

All-inclusive for one person which includes all classes, meals, lodging, tuition and access to the oceanside hot spring baths.

Accommodations are dorm-style, gender-inclusive housing with four students to one room. Please note that accessing housing locations includes climbing several dozen stairs.

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Esalen Massage® Teacher Training Private Room

For one guests. All-inclusive for one person which includes all classes, meals, lodging, tuition and access to the oceanside hot...

Guests in Room:
In rooms

More Details +

$14,115

$14,115

$14,115
Esalen Massage® Teacher Training Private Room

For one guests. All-inclusive for one person which includes all classes, meals, lodging, tuition and access to the oceanside hot spring baths.

Surrender yourself to the natural and restorative beauty of Big Sur.

For those who need a little privacy, decompress within the charming, Big Sur motel vibes of our Standard Queen Room. Accommodating one guests, and with a private bathroom, these rooms are conveniently located, overlooking the main campus and garden.

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4 Application

Please provide your complete contact information.

Please know that your private information is held in the utmost confidence and security and is only accessible by the Massage Program Coordinator and Teachers.

Address *
Address 2
City *
State/Prov. *
Zip/Postal *
Country *
Organization
Alternate Phone	Please use format 831 555 5555 to enter your phone number
Birth Date *
Gender *
Emergency Contact Information *	Please enter the full name and phone number.
Diet Request *	Please select your preferred meal option. All foods containing gluten or common allergens are labelled accordingly. We are unable to accommodate special dietary requests.
Serious Food Allergy?	Please leave blank if answer is none. This field is for serious food allergies only. All food items containing reported allergens will be labelled accordingly. If you have serious food allergies, please bring suitable items that are non-perishable.
Dietary Restrictions	Gluten Free No Soy No Garlic No Onions Select 1 or more dietary restrictions if applicable.
Is this your first time to Esalen? *	Yes No
Stay Connected	Esalen's monthly newsletterPlease add me to Esalen's monthly newsletter for the most current updates on workshop offerings and other news from Big Sur.
COVID-19 Guidelines	I have fully reviewed and accept the updated COVID-19 GuidelinesView Esalen COVID-19 Guidelines
Cancellation Policy *	I accept the cancellation policyIf you cancel, change, or reschedule your reservation, you will be charged. If you reschedule or change your reservation: ● 30 or more days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a $75.00 Change Fee. ● 15 to 29 days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a $150.00 Change Fee. ● 14 days or less prior to your arrival date, you will be subject to the standard cancellation policy below. If you cancel your reservation: ● 30 or more days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a $150.00 Cancel Fee. Any remaining amount paid will be refunded. ● 15 to 29 days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a Cancel Fee of 15% of the reservation total. Any remaining amount paid will be refunded. ● 7 to 14 days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a Cancel Fee of 30% of the reservation total. Any remaining amount paid will be refunded. ● Less than 7 days prior to your arrival date, you will forfeit the entire reservation total and no refund will be provided.
Professional Website	If you have a website for professional purposes, please enter the link here.
Date of Esalen® Massage Certification *
Certificate Number *	Please enter your certificate number here.
Number of Hours included on your Certification *	Please enter the number of hours included on your certificate.
Location of Esalen® Massage Certification Training *	Please list the location(s) of your Esalen® Massage certification training.
Massage Certification Teachers *	Please list your certification program teachers.
Years of Esalen® Massage Practice *
Advanced Trainings in Esalen® Massage *	Please list any advanced Esalen® Massage trainings you have completed.
Other Training *	Please list any additional training or professional experience in massage, bodywork, yoga, tai chi, etc.
Current Massage Practice *	Please summarize your current massage practice.
Personal Statement *	Tell us about your desire to become an Esalen® Massage Teacher. Please include a discussion of your goals as a teacher of this work.
Skills and Qualities *	Becoming a Teacher of Esalen® Massage requires mastering a complex set of skills covering many disciplines: proficiency in Esalen® Massage, communication and group dynamic skills, movement and anatomy, and more. Please describe the personal and professional qualities you bring to this work that will make you an outstanding teacher.
Teaching Experience	If you have any previous experience teaching massage, please provide details here.
Teamwork and Development *	As an Esalen® Massage Teacher, you will be working within a community of professionals to promote this work locally and internationally. Please describe your capacity to work within a team and to support the Esalen brand through the Esalen® Massage and Bodywork Association.
Personal Challenges *	A sign of maturity as a teacher involves developing an understanding of your limitations and challenges. Please honestly discuss what you see as your most relevant limitations—physical, professional, or personal—in completing this training and becoming a teacher of Esalen® Massage.
Teaching Future *	Please tell us where and what locations/regions/countries you plan to offer Esalen® Massage programs.
Massage Teacher Recommendation *	Please list the name and contact for an Esalen® Massage teacher who is familiar with your work and recommends you as a future teacher.
Teacher Training Course Completion *	I understand that to graduate, I must successfully attend and complete both Module I and Module II and the related homework of practice teaching introductory classes.
Your participation *	Do you have any health issues that might be challenged by participating in this physically active program? I.e., back pain, severe depression, excess intoxicant use that might affect your ability to participate?
Please provide more detail *	If so, please explain.
Esalen Employee?
Department *	Please enter your department here.
Supervisor Name *	Please enter your main supervisors name here.
Date of Supervisor Approval *	It is important that your supervisor approves your attendance in this program, please enter the date of approval.

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Guest 1		First Name* Last Name* Email* Gender* Diet Request* Please select your preferred meal option. All foods containing gluten or common allergens are labelled accordingly. We are unable to accommodate special dietary requests. Serious Food Allergy? Please leave blank if answer is none. This field is for serious food allergies only. All food items containing reported allergens will be labelled accordingly. If you have serious food allergies, please bring suitable items that are non-perishable. Dietary Restrictions Gluten Free No Soy No Garlic No Onions Select 1 or more dietary restrictions if applicable. Is this your first time to Esalen?* Yes No
Guest 1		First Name* Last Name* Email* Gender* Diet Request* Please select your preferred meal option. All foods containing gluten or common allergens are labelled accordingly. We are unable to accommodate special dietary requests. Serious Food Allergy? Please leave blank if answer is none. This field is for serious food allergies only. All food items containing reported allergens will be labelled accordingly. If you have serious food allergies, please bring suitable items that are non-perishable. Dietary Restrictions Gluten Free No Soy No Garlic No Onions Select 1 or more dietary restrictions if applicable. Is this your first time to Esalen?* Yes No

Please select which race and/or ethnicity you identify with *	Indigenous, Native American Black or African American Asian American, Desi-American, Pacific Islander Hispanic or Latino Multiracial, biracial Asian Middle Eastern White Other Prefer not to answer
Other (Fill in)
Income range	$31,000 or less $31,000 - $42, 000 $42, 000- $126,000 $126, 000 - $188, 000 $188,000 or more Prefer not to answer
Education	High School diploma Associates degree BA MA PhD MD JD N/A Prefer not to answer
Thank you !	We appreciate your time and support in completing this survey.

Esalen® Massage Teacher Training Application

Eligibility Requirements

Program Overview

Module I Details

1 Welcome

2 Esalen® Massage Teacher Training Module I Price

Select an option*

Esalen Massage® Teacher Training Shared Room

Esalen Massage® Teacher Training Private Room

3 If your registration is for two or more people, please enter required information for each guest at the time of registration

4 Application

5 Inclusion and Equity Survey