Strong, connected relationships are among the greatest influences on the quality of our lives. Building trust and openness with someone you care about — whether a romantic partner or a close friend — is a vital part of creating a supportive and lasting bond.
Over this weekend, Perry and Johanna Holloman, who have been intimate partners and friends for more than 30 years, will offer the tools and practices they have used to sustain and deepen their own relationship.
At the center of their teaching is Gestalt Inquiry, an accessible yet powerful practice that creates a safe setting for exploring the most meaningful and sensitive layers of relationship. Perry and Johanna view it as an ongoing practice for any committed long-term relationship, one that honors compassion, respect, and truth. When we learn to recognize and express what is true for us — individually, as a couple, or as friends — we expand our capacity for intimacy and connection, and our shared life becomes richer and more meaningful.
Throughout the weekend, you will learn practices and resources you can bring into daily life, including:
This workshop is open to couples of all genders and sexual orientations. A couple may be any two people with a shared history who want a better future together, including friends, partners, married or divorced spouses, parent and child, siblings, and others.
An additional $50 faculty tuition applies to this workshop.
Learn more about the requirements for 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.
German-born clinical psychologist Johanna Holloman brings a deeply grounded and integrative approach to inner work, drawing on her background as a Diamond Approach® teacher and her wide-ranging international teaching experience. Her work weaves together Integrative Gestalt Coaching™, Integrative Somatic Practice™, Deep Bodywork®, Esalen Massage®, and yoga, creating a holistic path that supports both personal insight and embodied transformation. At the heart...
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With more than four decades of experience at Esalen, Perry has guided students as a facilitator and teacher of Integrative Gestalt Coaching™, bringing a deeply body-oriented approach to inner development and trauma recovery. His work is rooted in helping people connect more fully with themselves through awareness, presence, and embodied exploration. Alongside his wife Johanna, he co-created the transformative method of...
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Fri, Aug 28 – Sun, Aug 30