What if the greatest regret at the end of life was never having the courage to live as your true self, rather than the version others expected? This workshop offers a meaningful journey guided by the wisdom of Human Design and the spirit of Esalen. Human Design weaves together ancient teachings from astrology, the I Ching, the Kabbalah, and the Hindu-Brahmin chakra system with modern insights from quantum physics to form a holistic approach to self-knowledge.
Together, we will look at how to honor your authentic nature, recognize your inner guidance, and make choices with clarity and confidence. The experience also explores practical ways to apply these insights to everyday decision-making, personal growth, and relationships. Embodiment practices, integration practices, and interactive sessions are included to support deeper understanding.
This workshop is an invitation to embrace authenticity and connect with your potential. Through self-love, trust in your inner authority, wise choices, and a clearer sense of purpose, you can begin to transform the way you live.
Participants should bring the details of their birth, including birthplace and time, as well as a journal. Join a supportive community in learning how to live more authentically and awaken what is already within you.
Lead photo: Emily Miller
Page photos: Rick Borutta, Sam Nichilo, Stephanie Lewis, Sadia Bruce, Kodiak Greenwood, Cristopher Nolasco, Emma Barry.
Lead Instructor: Anne Van de Water
Anne Van de Water, founder of True Self Mastery Coaching and Wellness, is dedicated to helping people awaken their fullest potential. As a life and business coach, health and wellness teacher, and spiritual guide, she brings extensive experience to supporting others in releasing subconscious limitations and reconnecting with their True Self. With her guidance, you can bridge the distance between who you are today and who you are meant to become, while living, loving, and leading with courage and authenticity.
Embrace your transformation with Anne at annevandewater.com
Workshop Schedule:
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will begin and end with a circle, and feature festive, nostalgic activities that evoke the spirit of days gone by.
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.
Anne Van de Water is the founder of True Self Mastery Coaching and Wellness, offering guidance for those ready to step into a more empowered and authentic life. Drawing on her work as a Life and Business Coach, Health and Wellness Teacher, and Spiritual Guide, she supports individuals in recognizing the subconscious patterns that may be holding them back and...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Mon, Jul 27 – Fri, Jul 31