




Many of us feel stretched thin while still sensing that something essential is missing. In this highly experiential workshop, you’ll be introduced to the Wise Effort Method, an ACT- and wisdom traditions-informed process designed to help you reclaim your energy and direct it toward what matters most. Through values mapping, group work, and real-life behavior experiments, you’ll explore what drains you, strengthen what supports you, and create wiser ways of showing up in your life, relationships, and work.
You’ll engage with three Wise Effort practices that support a deeper connection to what truly matters. The session begins with curiosity: mapping where your energy is going, noticing what may be keeping you stuck, and identifying your core values. Next, you’ll practice opening up through radical acceptance of what is, creating more space for who you are. Finally, you’ll focus your energy by designing and committing to a life that reflects your values in key areas such as work, relationships, health, and creativity.
This retreat emphasizes interactive learning through partner and small-group exercises, live coaching demonstrations, and gently guided reflection time.
Participants will be invited to:
Recommended reading: Wise Effort: How to Focus Your Energy on What Matters Most by Dr. Diana Hill
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
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.
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.

Dr. Diana Hill, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, author, podcast host, and international ACT trainer whose work is grounded in a powerful idea: the way you direct your energy shapes both the quality and the direction of your life. Her approach brings together psychology, practical insight, and a clear focus on intentional living, offering audiences tools they can apply in...
Read more
Sadia Bruce is a creative educator at Esalen, known for guiding transformative experiences where yoga, breathwork, somatics, and ancestral wisdom meet. Her approach encourages embodied inquiry, playful exploration, and a deeper sense of connection with yourself, with others, and with the unseen. Drawing on her expertise in breath-based movement, along with a deep reverence for the human experience and her...
Read more
For nearly a decade, Megan has offered a somatic-based approach to yoga, guiding students toward a deeper connection between body awareness, breath, and movement. Her classes are designed to help participants bridge meditation and motion in a way that feels both grounding and empowering, creating space for authentic embodiment and mindful presence. With a teaching style rooted in support and connection,...
Read more
Jovinna Chan, E-RYT 500 and YACEP, is a trained personal transformational facilitator, yoga teacher trainer, conscious dance teacher, and performing artist whose work blends movement, spiritual inquiry, nature, and sound healing into deeply immersive experiences. She guides transformational programs around the world, creating spaces where participants can explore embodied practice, inner reflection, and creative expression. Her approach is both grounded...
Read more
At Esalen, Cara Chandler discovered the calling that would shape her work in holistic healing. Drawing on a background in Entertainment as well as training and experience in yoga, meditation, and psychology, she has developed an approach that supports self-expression, self-discovery, and a deeper mind-body connection. Her sessions invite participants to slow down, tune in, and explore what it means to...
Read more
Rooted in a deep reverence for the natural world, Micha shares vibrational ritual and embodied herbalism as a heartfelt way of connecting with the living ecosystem around us. Their work is shaped by personal mentorship with shamanic Lahu medicine women in Thailand and spiritual midwives in Bali, bringing together ancestral wisdom and present-day healing practices. At Esalen, Micha currently facilitates the...
Read more
With a thoughtful, inquisitive style shaped by a strong academic background, Sam Stern brings depth and curiosity to every conversation he leads. As the host of the Voices of Esalen podcast, he guides a deep-dive interview series centered on Human Potential, which has already reached more than 1 million downloads. His work reflects a commitment to meaningful dialogue, exploration, and...
Read more
Fri, Oct 9 – Sun, Oct 11