Breath is more than a biological function. It is also a cultural practice, a sacred bridge, and a way of shaping attention, perception, and meaning. Each inhale and exhale links the body to awareness, while also opening a window into how humans have explored consciousness across generations.
Led by an embodiment educator and a neuroscientist-anthropologist, this five-day immersion invites participants into a sustained exploration of breath through direct practice, comparative inquiry, and thoughtful dialogue. Drawing on contemplative traditions and contemporary research on meditation, psychedelics, and the brain, the week considers how breath has been understood, trained, ritualized, and passed on through instruction, text, ceremony, sound, rhythm, and shared experience.
Over the course of the week, participants will engage in:
This offering is designed for those who want to understand not only how breath works, but also how it has been studied, practiced, and transmitted — and what becomes possible when inquiry, practice, and presence are held together in one room.
Recommended reading: Breath, James Nestor; The Breathing Book, Donna Farhi; The Heart of Yoga, Desikachar
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.
Lead Faculty
Sadia Bruce is a creative force and educator at Esalen, designing transformative experiences at the intersection of yoga, breath, somatics, and ancestral wisdom. Her work encourages embodied inquiry, playful experimentation, and deeper connection with self, others, and the unseen.
Josh Brahinsky is a psychological anthropologist in McGill's Department of Transcultural Psychiatry and Stanford's Religious Studies department. He studies prayer, meditation, and breathwork through ethnography, brain imaging, and phenomenological interviews, with a focus on how these practices support surrender and behavioral change.
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.
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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Josh Brahinsky is a psychological anthropologist whose work bridges academic research and lived contemplative practice. Based at McGill’s Department of Transcultural Psychiatry and Stanford’s Religious Studies department, he studies prayer, meditation, and breathwork through ethnography, brain imaging, and phenomenological interviews. His research explores how these practices can support surrender, reshape patterns of behavior, and open new ways of understanding the...
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Mon, Jul 20 – Fri, Jul 24