Teacher : Rob Wilks & Ellen Watson
Assistant teacher : Jenny Pareno
September, 2026
Mimpi Menjangan Resort, Bali - Indonesia
Esalen® Massage 100 Hr Training
Overview
The 100 hr. Esalen® Massage Certification is designed to train certified bodyworkers holding the equivalent of a 150 certification in a recognized bodywork modality to the practitioner level in the art of Esalen Massage. The skill sets taught in this training are divided into the following categories:
1. Esalen Massage Skills/Technique/Theoretical Foundations
2. Communication Skills
3. Applied Anatomy/Physiology
4. Professional Ethics
5. Movement Practices/Meditation/Self Care
Each of the above categories is composed of sub-categories described later in this document.
The intent of this program is to support the growth of Esalen Massage throughout the world by training and supporting practitioners in California, the United States and other countries, who adhere to the highest standards of professional/ethical conduct.
Structure in Terms of Hours per Subject
This is a 15 day program, with required coursework between Modules I & II, and post graduate. Most days consist of 8 classroom hours, with allowances for one excursion off campus . In this training, the total number of supervised classroom hours is 100. Following is a specific description of hours spent on different knowledge areas:
· Esalen Massage Skills/Technique/Theoretical Foundations (70 hours)
o Understanding the experiential nature of this method
o Defining the experience of presence; of awareness & attention
o Opening and closing your massage
o Understanding the Long Stroke, front and back, and it’s relaxing, integrating function
o Detail work on the front body
o Detail work on the back body
o Adequately draping clients and dealing with nudity
o Special Cases
§ Working with injuries
§ Working in the side lying position
§ Geriatric Massage
§ Perinatal Massage
· Communication Skills (5 hours)
o Basic understanding of Gestalt Process Communication skills
§ Gestalt Language
§ Basic dialogic communication skills
o How to deal with conflict/misunderstanding when it arises within the client/practitioner relationship
o Communicating the ethical boundaries of the professional relationship.
· Applied anatomy and physiology/pathology (10 hours)
o Integrating anatomical knowledge of a given area of the body into one’s massage work
o Applying relevant anatomical/physiological information into the overall flow and structure of a session with a given client
o Understanding the Gamma-Motor System, Muscle-Spindles, and Golgi Tendon Organs
o Understanding how tissue changes in relation to touch
o Recognizing pathological conditions that contraindicate touch and/or massage
· Professional Ethics (5 hours)
o Understanding Transference and Counter Transference
o Understanding appropriate boundaries within the client/practitioner relationship
o Learning how to deal with difficult clients
· Movement Practices/Kinesiology/Self Care (10 hours)
o Strengthening the body through Yoga and or other practices like Chi-Gong, 5 Rhythms, etc.
o Relating those practices to movement around the table, while working
o Using meditation to improve focus, concentration and presence while working
COURSE RATIONALE AND SUMMARY
The Esalen® Massage100-hour Professional Practitioner Training offers comprehensive bodywork education in the skills necessary to become a recognized Esalen Massage practitioner. This class is tailored for certified massage practitioners seeking to add the resources of Esalen Massage to their repertoire. It focuses on critical skills relevant for giving a full Esalen Massage, including centering and grounding, self-care and reflection, application of the long flowing strokes punctuated with detail specific to each segment, and an integrated experience of body-mind-spirit.
Additional points of the curriculum include work in the side-lying posture, passive joint movement, gentle stretching, and ethics of massage. Students will learn and practice communication skills to enhance deep self-reflection and to address emotional release that may arise during a massage session. The instructors offer on-going support at the table as well as assessment through receiving.
This course is designed to link body, mind and spirit in a professionally oriented, hands-on training. Successful completion includes full attendance (100 classroom hours), one 30 minute, and one 75 minute massage assessment session, fifteen documented off-site massage sessions, and payment of the certificate fee ( $150). Graduation grants the practitioner full Esalen® Massage privileges, including listing on the website and use of the brand to promote their work as Esalen® Massage as long as they remain in good standing.
Students will receive a resource book that includes the class schedule and curriculum, forms, and assessment guidance plus multiple articles by leaders notable in the Esalen Massage legacy. Attendance is kept daily; If health reasons prevent a student from attending a class, a student may arrange with the instructors to make-up the class time.
EDUCATIONAL GOALS AND ASSESSMENT:
Enhanced Client Awareness: Students will develop observation, listening, and palpation skills to better understand their clients. Assessment: Practical assessment and peer feedback.
Body Mechanics and Boundaries: Students will learn to maintain good body mechanics, establish boundaries, and effectively communicate with clients. Assessment: Visual assessment, self-reports, and peer feedback.
Customized Massage Techniques: Students will tailor massage based on client needs and requests. Assessment: Practical assessment and peer feedback.
Application of Esalen Principles: Students will apply Esalen Massage principles in providing a full-body massage. Assessment: Observation and peer feedback.
Incorporation of Verbal Clues: Students will integrate verbal cues and guidance into massage sessions. Assessment: Congruence of client and practitioner feedback.
Safe Integration of Stretches: Students will safely incorporate limb stretches and movement in sessions. Assessment: Observation, peer feedback, and instructor assessment.
Holistic Approach: Students will apply holistic and energetic concepts to massages. Assessment: Instructor observation and practical assessment.
Meet Your Teachers
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Rob Wilks
Rob wilks is a full-time bodywork practitioner. He is a faculty member with Esalen Institute Healing Arts Department, teaching all levels of Esalen® Massage. He has taught massage and bodywork in Indonesia, China, and Italy, as well as experiential leadership education in the U.S. and Eastern Europe.
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Ellen Watson
Ellen Watson, a 40 year member of Esalen Institute's community, lived on campus in Big Sur, while she healed herself, worked in the garden, as a chef in the kitchen, and studied extensively for 10 years. Ellen offers retreats and trainings globally in the fields of Mindfulness Practices which include Esalen®Massage & Bodywork, Touching Essence™, Vibrance™ Dance & Song, The 5Rhythms®, Holotropic™Breathwork, Vibrance Pranayama and Breathwork. Ellen’s work has been deeply influenced her work with plant medicines, empathogens and entheogens, while she apprenticed with Terence McKenna and Stanislav Grof.
Assistant teacher
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Jenny Pareno
Jenny is Certified Esalen Massage Practitioner, Esalen Massage Teacher. In addition to her extensive experience as a massage therapist, she is a dedicated educator, and has been an integral part of the Esalen community for over a decade. She also manages her own private massage practice in San Luis Obispo, where she calls home. Beyond her nurturing hands, her adventurous spirit shines through as an avid trail runner, connecting with nature and finding balance in the beauty of movement
Venue & Accommodation
Mimpi Resort, Menjangan, Bali
On the North-West coast of Bali in the village of Banyuwedang, Mimpi looks out towards the Menjangan Island. The area is notorious as a hot-spot for diving and snorkelling and just a little further down the coast a regular dolphin hangout.
Mimpi's most special feature is its waters, as the resort is built across land with several natural hot springs. The careful architecture and landscaping makes for several shared natural hot spring pools across the 3 hectares of land. Inevitably the water and it's high mineral content is totally refreshing, rejuvenating and holds it's own healing qualities. For us the pools are perfect for aquatic bodywork, where we dance in the water to feel true fluidity.
Classes take place in the Wantilan. A large space with wooden floors, the sounds of birds and some gentle breezes. We decorate the wantilan with beautiful silk hangings and bring a range of equipment from musical instruments, to dancing scarves, yoga mats, yoga balls and of course an excellent sound system!
Enrollment Agreement
Once you have submitted your application and been received, you need to download the enrollment agreement down below, read it carefully, sign it, and send it back to us via application form.
How to Apply?
Click here to Complete and submit the application form online.
Send proof of payment.
Wait for confirmation. Once received, we will: Add you to the roster, Reserve your room, Send you periodic updates.
Pricing & Payment
EARLY BIRD PRICE
AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2024
Shared Patio Room $ 4,850
Twin patio rooms are spacious and comfortable to stay with two people. We will aim to pair you with someone most compatible based on your registration form.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition &
Half-board Meal)
EARLY BIRD PRICE
AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2024
Shared Courtyard Villa $ 5,150
Shared Villas must be booked with 2 people together at the same time. A CY villa features twin/double bed with a mezzanine, private garden area and tub which may be filled with hot spring water.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition &
Half-board Meal)
EARLY BIRD PRICE
AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2024
Private Patio Room $ 5,500
If you prefer a room to yourself and a large double bed this comes at a reasonable additional cost.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition &
Half-board Meal)
EARLY BIRD PRICE
AVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2024
Private Courtyard Villa $ 5,900
For a taste of luxury, enjoy a CY Villa to yourself for maximum comfort and privacy. Enjoy your own spacious area with garden and hot spring bath for total relaxation.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition &
Half-board Meal)
DEPOSIT $ 1,000
Here you can find all essential information about Esalen® Massage & Bodywork 100-Hour Training.
If you have any further questions, we are happy to help: please contact us.