Contacting the Space Between: Gestalt, Feldenkrais, and the Subtle Body
Description
"To feel is to heal. To contact is to awaken." — Dick Price
Human beings are inherently relational. We live as a delicate interplay of anatomy, energy, space, and time, all shaped by our lived experience. Our physical form, function, and sense of identity are reflected in the fascial system and influenced by early development, self-organizing principles, and the ways we meet the world around us.
When we become caught in familiar patterns, parts of ourselves can remain underdeveloped or unseen. But when the body is offered a setting that supports curiosity and attunement in relation to gravity, other people, and the environment, we gain greater freedom to move and connect with more ease and choice.
Working with the grounds, waters, and spirit of Esalen as their laboratory, Kate and Dwight will weave together the Feldenkrais Method and Gestalt process to explore and nourish the subtle body — our relationship to ground, gravity, and the space between.
During this workshop, participants will:
- Recognize the habitual relational patterns that can limit ease in daily life.
- Examine how the subtle body is shaped by emotional anatomy, tensegrity, neuroplasticity, and self-organization through experiential movement.
- Receive Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons designed to support the subtle body and refine functional movement.
- Explore sensation, weight, gravity, and relationship through movement and contact.
- Learn Gestalt relational process tools to deepen presence, awareness, and self-integration.
Recommended Reading: Feldenkrais, The Potent Self: A Study of Spontaneity and Compulsion; Gladis, Tales of a Wounded Healer: Creating Exact Moments of Healing; Bodywise: An Introduction to Hellerwork for Regaining Flexibility & Well-Being.
Learn more about the requirements to receive continuing education credit.
Accommodation Options
Bunk Bed
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.
Standard Shared
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.
Standard Queen
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.
Standard Two Beds
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.
Teachers
Kate Flore, MPH, OTR, CMP, brings a deeply integrative approach to somatic education, bodywork, and facilitation. As a practitioner, educator, and Gestalt facilitator, she works at the intersection of movement, body science, and relational awareness, helping create learning environments that are both grounded and transformative. She is also the co-founder of TensegrityU, a scholarship-based practitioner education program designed to support advanced...
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Dwight Pargee, MS, is a Guild-Certified Feldenkrais Method® practitioner and an Assistant Trainer in professional Feldenkrais trainings around the world. Drawing on a rich background in exercise physiology, biomechanics, martial arts, and rugby, he brings a deeply informed and practical approach to movement education. His work supports people who want to move with more ease, improve balance and coordination, and recover...
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Contact Information
Mon, Oct 19 – Fri, Oct 23