What if personal power was not something you had to chase, but something you could return to by becoming more fully yourself? And what might change in your life and relationships if you learned to lead from that place of truth? This immersion invites you to explore the body as a steady inner compass, one that can guide you toward clarity, alignment, and self-trust.
Rooted in the wisdom of somatics, this experience reflects a simple but profound idea: the body carries important keys to authenticity, presence, and meaningful change. By noticing internal signals, recognizing familiar patterns, and coming back to center, participants create space for choice and honest expression. Rather than focusing on what is “wrong,” this work supports the deeper process of becoming.
Guided through trauma-informed facilitation, the workshop includes solo reflection, partnered exploration, small-group practice, and collective experience. Drawing from somatics, embodied and Authentic Relating, breathwork, vocal activation, and expressive movement, the sessions move beyond theory into lived practice, allowing insight to be felt, explored, and integrated in real time.
During the immersion, participants will explore:
The practices will combine seated, standing, and movement-based work, and are adaptable for all bodies, identities, abilities, and lived experiences.
Lead photo: Tim Farrell
Ash Ryzen Witham (they/she) is a queer, nonbinary, trauma-informed somatic coach and embodiment facilitator who creates inclusive, soul-centered spaces for transformation. Their work is rooted in alchemy: transforming ache and longing into pathways toward potential and wholeness.
Workshop Schedule
Friday
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm *How to Drop into Esalen*
7:15 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday
9:30 am – 12:45 pm
3:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Sunday
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to the Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend opens and closes with a circle and includes festive, nostalgic activities that evoke days gone by.
More activities can be found on the open class schedule. Please see the general schedule information for arrival, departure, and meal times.
Accommodations & Tuition
Click Register Now to view accommodation availability and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop, and additional faculty fees may apply.
Scholarship funds are available for those with financial need. 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 stay at Esalen.
Accommodation prices include lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities.
COVID Update
As of June 30, 2023, a negative COVID test is no longer required at check-in. Please review the current COVID safety guidelines for complete details before booking your stay.
Multiple Ways to Register
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 the program, participants are required to dedicate 26 hours of service each week in one of Esalen’s operational departments.
Program Schedule
The day after arrival at Esalen, the program begins with an orientation meeting, where participants receive the class schedule and service assignment. Additional activities can be found on the open class schedule, and general schedule information includes arrival, departure, and meal times.
Accommodations
LEEP student housing 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 application fee is collected when applying and will be applied to the deposit if accepted. Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $800 holds a space for two-week programs, and $1450 holds a space for four-week programs.
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.
Ash Witham
Ash Ryzen Witham
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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Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Oct 25