Breakbeats, Breath, and Becoming
Description
Simple integration rituals and clear commitments can help sustain growth in life, leadership, creativity, relationships, and healing.
This weekend workshop is designed for anyone ready to move beyond inherited patterns and step into a more embodied, communal, creative, and choiceful way of living—one grounded in lineage, healing, and collective possibility.
Often, people are not held back by a lack of insight. They are held back by rhythms carried in the body: cultural, survival-based, and belonging-driven patterns that have shaped what once felt safe, possible, or off-limits.
In music, a breakbeat interrupts the expected groove and opens space for something new. In life, a break can become a threshold—a sacred interruption where breath returns, choice awakens, and fresh movement becomes possible.
Over the course of our time together, we will:
- Use guided breathwork and somatic awareness to deepen presence, spaciousness, and nervous system capacity.
- Work with powerful prompts and reflective writing to uncover inherited rhythms, default responses, and outdated survival strategies.
- Enter storytelling, witnessing, and peer coaching circles to be seen clearly, listen deeply, and practice new ways of relating.
- Explore gentle movement and rhythm-based collective play to interrupt automatic responses and embody new choices.
- Create simple integration rituals and commitments that support ongoing becoming in life, leadership, creativity, relationships, and healing.
This experience is for those ready to step beyond inherited grooves and practice a more embodied, communal, creative, and choiceful life.
“In the world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself.” — Frantz Fanon
Lead photo: Ali Kaukas
Didier Sylvain is a multidisciplinary facilitator, executive coach, somatic practitioner, writer, and musician. His work weaves embodied practice, creative depth, and transformational inquiry to help people and groups move with greater attunement, aliveness, and purpose.
Workshop Schedule
Friday
5:00 pm – 6:00 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
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend opens and closes with a circle, and includes festive, nostalgic activities that evoke days of yore.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule. See general schedule information including arrival, departure, and meal times.
Accommodations & Tuition
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.
For this workshop, registration and payment for accommodations and tuition happen in two separate steps. First, sign up and pay tuition directly, then click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation at Esalen.
Accommodation pricing includes lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities. View partner program accommodations pricing.
COVID Update
As of June 30, 2023, a negative COVID test is no longer required at check-in. Please read the current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
All-inclusive Pricing
Register Now
Multiple Ways to Register
Workshop + Stay On-Site
Individual Day Passes
Workshop + Stay Off-Site
Live Extended Education Program
Join a cohort of 16 learners in a rigorous course of study, up to 26 hours per week over either two weeks or four weeks, depending on the program. As part of your studies, you will also dedicate 26 hours of service each week in one of Esalen's operational departments. Learn more.
Program Schedule
The day after arrival at Esalen, the program begins with an orientation meeting where participants receive the class schedule and service assignment.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule. See general schedule information including arrival, departure, and meal times.
Accommodations
Housing for LEEP students is dorm-style and gender-inclusive, with four students sharing a room.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition is $1600 for two-week programs and $2900 for four-week programs, and includes accommodations, meals, and the workshop. A non-refundable $20 fee is collected when you apply and will be applied to your deposit if you are accepted. Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $800 holds your space for two-week programs, and $1450 holds your space for four-week programs.
Accommodation Options
Bunk Bed
Designed for shared stays, this room type accommodates four to six guests in a welcoming, gender-inclusive setting, with a maximum stay of seven consecutive days. It’s a practical choice for retreat participants who value comfort, simplicity, and a sense of community during their time away.
Each bunk room includes twin-size bunk beds and a private bathroom with a shower, offering the privacy and convenience guests need throughout their stay. Fresh towels, bath soap, and bed linens are provided, so you can settle in with ease and focus on your experience rather than the details.
With its straightforward layout and thoughtfully provided essentials, this accommodation supports a restful and uncomplicated stay, making it well suited for those looking to share space while still enjoying comfort and functionality.
Standard Shared
Ideal for guests who want a more social stay without the atmosphere of a dorm, this cozy shared room offers a comfortable and practical setup for up to three people of the same gender. The space is arranged with three beds: two on the main floor and one tucked into a sleeping loft, creating a simple, welcoming environment that still feels private and restful.
Each room includes an in-room bathroom with a shower, making daily routines easy and convenient. To help you settle in with ease, towels, bath soap, and bed linens are all provided. Whether you are traveling for a retreat, a wellness stay, or a peaceful getaway with others, this room offers a warm balance of connection, comfort, and simplicity.
Standard Queen
Designed for guests seeking a little extra privacy, this inviting room offers a peaceful place to unwind within the charming, Big Sur-inspired motel atmosphere of the property. Thoughtfully located for convenience, it overlooks the main campus and garden, giving you a calming view to return to throughout your stay.
Inside, you’ll find a private bathroom and a comfortable setting that supports rest, simplicity, and easy access to the wider retreat experience. It’s an ideal choice for solo travelers or couples looking for a quiet, well-situated space to recharge between wellness activities, meals, and moments of relaxation.
If you’d like to share the room, one additional guest may join for an extra $250 per night.
Standard Two Beds
Settle into a relaxed stay surrounded by the charming motel-inspired atmosphere of Big Sur. This Standard Two Double Beds room offers a comfortable, unfussy space designed for easy rest and shared travel. With two double beds and a private bathroom, it is a practical choice for friends, couples, or family members looking to enjoy time together while still having room to unwind.
The room’s simple, welcoming feel makes it easy to slow down after a day of exploring, reconnecting, or simply enjoying a peaceful break. Whether you are traveling for a quiet getaway or a shared adventure, this space provides the comfort and privacy you need for a restful stay.
Premium Queen
Designed for a serene Central Coast escape, this room invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and settle into a truly restful stay. A luxurious queen bed creates a comforting place to unwind after a day of exploring, offering the kind of refuge that feels both elevated and easy. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing, with thoughtful details that help guests feel instantly at ease.
Depending on the room, you may enjoy one or more of the following features:
- Ocean or forest view
- Upgraded bathrooms and decor
- Private outdoor area
Whether you are here for a peaceful getaway or simply looking for a more refined place to rest, this room offers a welcoming balance of comfort, charm, and natural beauty.
Premium Plus King
Settle into a Premium Plus King room and take in the breathtaking beauty of Big Sur from a space designed for rest and renewal. After a day of exploring the coastline, unwind on a private deck in an upstairs unit or a patio on the ground level, both offering a front-row seat to the ocean views. Inside, picture windows welcome in natural light and create a calm, airy atmosphere from morning to evening.
These accommodations are ideal for guests seeking the comfort of a king-size bed along with thoughtful upgrades throughout. Expect elevated bathrooms and decor, plus premium in-room WiFi for added convenience during your stay. With its blend of comfort, style, and unforgettable scenery, this room offers a serene retreat for travelers looking to experience Big Sur at its most inspiring.
Teachers
Didier Sylvain is a multidisciplinary facilitator, executive coach, somatic practitioner, writer, and musician whose work weaves together embodied practice, creative depth, and transformational inquiry. Through his approach, individuals and groups are supported in moving with greater attunement, aliveness, and purpose, creating space for meaningful personal and collective growth. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, he brings a thoughtful and integrative...
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Contact Information
Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25