Step into a week of guided self-exploration that invites you to listen beneath language and trace the inner landscapes where breath, body, memory, and identity meet. This immersive experience offers a spacious and curious approach to understanding the self through sensation, story, lineage, and possibility.
Using breathwork, somatic movement, writing, sound, and relational mirrors, participants will move through distinct layers of being. Each day reveals a new terrain: the grounded intelligence of the body, the subtle movement of emotion, the inherited narratives held in the bones, and the archetypal forces that shape us beyond awareness. The pace is slow and attentive, allowing what emerges to be met with care. Rather than becoming someone new, this is an invitation to recognize the self that has always been present — layered, rhythmic, and alive.
Over the course of the week, each participant will be supported in creating a personal Inner Atlas: a living body-map of sensation, story, ancestry, and potential. This becomes a compass to return to when life calls for clarity and self-trust.
Workshop Schedule
Summer Groovers will experience Esalen in a format similar to our Self Guided Explorations workshops. Each Summer Groove week or weekend will open and close with a circle, and be filled with festive, nostalgic activities that harken back to those days of yore.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule.
Accommodations & Tuition
Click Register Now to view availability of accommodations and all-inclusive, program-specific tuition. Please note that not all accommodation levels are available for every workshop and additional faculty fees may apply.
We offer scholarship funds for those with financial need.
For this workshop, you will register and pay for accommodations and tuition in two separate steps.
First, sign up and pay tuition directly to [Esalen Secure Retreat Guru].
Second, click Book Accommodations from this page and enter the password to complete your reservation to stay at Esalen.
Prices for accommodations include your lodging, meals, open classes, and use of the baths and other facilities.
COVID Update
As of June 30, 2023 we no longer require a negative COVID test at the time of check in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
All guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all guests and faculty must provide proof of negative test results at time of check-in. Please read our current COVID safety guidelines for complete details prior to booking your stay.
Effective January 7, 2022 in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant, all guests and faculty will provide proof of negative PCR, NAAT, or antigen test results at time of check-in. The test must be taken within 72 hours and results must come from a laboratory or healthcare provider. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective December 15 in accordance with new guidance from Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Health, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are required to wear masks in all indoor public settings, irrespective of vaccine status, for the next four weeks (December 15, 2021 through January 15, 2022). Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Effective November 19, 2021, in accordance with new guidance from the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, all guests, students, staff, residents, and faculty are no longer required to wear masks indoors on campus. Please read our updated COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Starting November 5, 2021, due to substantial levels of COVID-19 transmission in Monterey County, a mask mandate established by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will go into effect. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
All guests will be required to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival starting September 3, 2021. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Masks are no longer mandated indoors or outdoors, except during massage sessions. Guests are not required to provide testing or vaccination verification before arriving on campus. Please read our COVID safety guidelines prior to booking your stay.
Live Extended Education Program (LEEP)
Be part of a cohort of 16 learners engaging in a rigorous course of study, up to 26 hours per week over the span of either two weeks or four weeks, depending on the program. As a cement to your studies, you will be required to dedicate 26 hours of service each week in one of Esalen's operational departments.
Program Schedule
The day after you arrive at Esalen, your program begins with an orientation meeting where you'll receive your class schedule and service assignment.
More activities can be found on our open class schedule.
Accommodations
Housing for LEEP students is dorm-style and gender-inclusive, with four students sharing a room.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition of $1600 for two-week programs and $2900 for four-week programs includes your accommodations, meals, and workshop. A non-refundable $20 fee is collected when you apply, and will be applied to your deposit if you are accepted. Upon acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $800 holds your space for two-week programs, and $1450 holds your 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.
Set against the dramatic beauty of Big Sur, this premium wooden yurt offers a peaceful stay with a strong sense of place. After a day of exploring the coastline, unwind on your private deck and take in the sweeping ocean views in total privacy. Inside, the space is designed for rest and ease, with a queen-size bed, a comfortable sitting area, and picture windows that welcome in the morning light.
Thoughtfully appointed for guests seeking a more secluded Big Sur experience, this yurt also includes an en suite bathroom and premium in-room WiFi for added convenience. It’s an inviting choice for travelers who want to feel close to nature without giving up comfort, privacy, or a restful night’s sleep.
Set among the breathtaking landscapes of Big Sur, this premium wooden yurt offers a peaceful stay with a strong sense of privacy and comfort. Designed for up to three guests, it features a queen-size bed, a cozy sitting area, and a private nook with a twin-size daybed, making it a thoughtful choice for those seeking a more spacious retreat experience.
Step outside onto your private deck and take in sweeping ocean views, or unwind indoors as natural light filters through the picture windows. The en suite bathroom adds convenience, while premium in-room WiFi helps you stay connected throughout your stay. Whether you are returning from a day of exploration or simply slowing down to enjoy the scenery, this yurt creates a serene setting for rest, reflection, and a memorable Big Sur escape.
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Mon, Aug 24 – Fri, Aug 28