This workshop offers a summer immersion in Esalen, where you can build foundational skills in this renowned massage modality. Silvia and Lori will guide you through an experience of mindful touch brought to the massage table. Through lectures, short demonstrations, and supervised practice, they will introduce the essentials: quality of touch, rapport, massage skills with “the listening hand,” and effective body mechanics.
Esalen massage is practiced at a slow, spacious pace, creating room for a natural healing process to unfold rather than emphasizing “fixing.” You will learn how to drape properly and how to apply Esalen’s signature integrative strokes, detailed work, gentle stretches, and a closing pause with ease. You will also be encouraged to share your experience with intention. You may discover that giving a massage is just as rewarding as receiving one.
Classroom tools include exercises designed to awaken the senses and highlight the importance of boundaries in healing work, along with demonstrations and tableside guidance adapted to your level of experience. The class is well suited to newcomers and the curious, as well as professionals who wish to refresh their senses and refine the quality of their touch.
10 hours of continuing education are provided by the faculty through Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association Teachers. For more information on CE email
Lead photo: Kodiak Greenwood
Faculty:
Silvia Guersenzvaig is an international instructor of Esalen Massage. Guided by the wisdom of nature, she has cultivated a practice centered on presence and the quality of touch. Her background includes several years on the Esalen® Massage staff, somatic healing, energy kinesiology, Polarity and Trager, and more.
Lori Lewis invites students into a compassionate return to sensory awareness—body, mind, and spirit. Certified since 2009, Lori teaches at Body Therapy Institute in Santa Barbara and volunteers with hospice, offering Esalen® massage to patients, families, and staff.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Silvia Guersenzvaig is an international Esalen Massage instructor known for her refined approach to presence, touch, and embodied awareness. Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of nature, she guides others toward a more intuitive and attentive way of working with the body, where sensitivity and connection are at the heart of each session. Her extensive background includes several years on the Esalen®...
Read more
With a gentle and compassionate approach, Lori Lewis invites students to deepen their sensory awareness and reconnect with body, mind, and spirit as a whole. Certified since 2009, she brings years of professional experience and a grounded presence to her work, creating a supportive space for meaningful connection and healing. Based at Body Therapy Institute in Santa Barbara, Lori teaches with...
Read more
Fri, Jul 24 – Sun, Jul 26