Esalen® Massage & Bodywork
175-Hour International Training
"Developed over the last 60 years at Esalen Institute, Esalen Massage engages both giver and receiver to deepen awareness and presence."
Faculty : Ellen Watson, Patrick Stockstill & Jessica Fagan
Table Assistants : Phonik Angel, Sayiful Hadi & Zoe Zhao
This program is taught in English with translation available
Mandarin, Indonesian and Japanese for a translator’s fee.
Note: Our professional translators provide seamless live translation. Rarely are our students adversely affected by translation.
February 1 - 28, 2026
Mimpi Resort, Menjangan - Bali, Indonesia
Program Information
Curriculum & Syllabus: Click here…
People from all over the world come to Big Sur to learn this healing art, and now, among the flowering jungles and lotus laden ponds of Bali, we offer a 28-day Certification Training in Esalen® Massage. This training will provide you with in-depth experience and practice in basic Esalen® Massage techniques, enabling you to give a professional full-body massage upon completion of the course. Click the links to read more about Ellen Watson and Esalen® massage here.
Your study of massage includes daily moving meditation practices and experiential anatomy, including: partner yoga, chi gong, and conscious dance. To further enhance personal presence, included are guided Breathwork exercises and sitting meditation. Sensory Awareness enhancing exercises, gestalt communication practice, and group sharing circles are included in the curriculum of Esalen Massage. You will experience in your own body the qualities of aliveness and flowing presence central to this healing art form. The process of self-exploration (Inquiry) is a key element, grounding this practice in the experience of your own body, thereby transforming mere technique into a true healing art. The atmosphere and culture of Bali fit well with our intention to teach this method as a path toward healing. The Balinese word for foreigner translates as 'guest', this simple expression conveying the warmth, openness, and beauty which the Balinese embody in every aspect of their lives. As guests of the Balinese during this time, we will visit local temples and ceremonies at full moon, or Balinese holy days. You will have a minimum of 1 and 1/2 days free from scheduled class time; you can practice, go snorkeling, visit the spa, rest, swim. You might consider staying for some days or a week or two after the program ends to enjoy this magical island, absorbing both its tropical beauty and the grace of her people.
Learning the art of Esalen® Massage is an experience that often changes lives. Whether you intend to create a new career path, deepen your knowledge of bodywork, or spend time healing yourself through touch, our time together is sure to stay with you for years to come. Having taught certification courses in Bali for a number of years, we notice the lasting power of these memories - for some, as a healing recollection of new friendships made in the extraordinary Balinese landscape; for others, a time of self-exploration and transformation.
Whatever your intention, join us for this four week journey!
Requirements: This program is open for anyone to apply; upon acceptance, you can register with the room of choice. This program is appropriate for all levels. For professionals, some material will be a repeat, others new to you.
We do offer 100 hour programs open only to professionals.
Professional Accreditation: NTBCMB approved provider, CE's for bodyworkers, Yoga Teachers, EMBA approved.
Travel Tips
You will need your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry, and a Visa if you plan to stay in Bali for longer than 30 days. For a 30-day stay or less, you can get the standard "Visa on arrival" when you land in Bali. We highly recommend getting a 60 day e visa, with the help of our ace agent, Ike. This makes your arrival and departure smooth, lines short and no stress to renew your VOA.
We require that you purchase travel insurance for your journey to Bali. For more information please viewTravel Info.
Food
We provide Half-board meal plan includes a delicious and nutritious morning breakfast packed with local fresh fruit, smoothie making goodies, steamed veggies, local eggs along with seasonal offerings. During breakfast time, you'll receive a takeaway bento box for your second meal of the day.
For dinner, you're welcome to dine at Mimpi Resto with their à la carte menu or set menu options, or explore the local warungs (cafe) in the area.
We provide one group dinner weekly, either at Mimpi’s waterside Resto, or at The Dynasty, seaside restaurant, or other ambient locations close by.
Housing
Mimpi's patio rooms are home to most of our students. The rooms are spacious, with A/C, refrigerators, either queen/king or twin beds, telephone, lovely bathrooms, and are close to the communal hot springs pools, and the two large swimming pools. Most students elect to stay in shared patio rooms.
For those with discretionary budget, we recommend the Courtyard Villa, either private or shared, with it’s own private hot springs soaking tub within the walls.
For single housing, or upgrading options to CourtYard Villa, see pricing below.
Transportation
We are happy to help arrange ground transportation from the airport to Ubud or Seminyak, and help you decide where to spend your first night or nights. The drive from the airport is quite interesting, varied terrain, and better enjoyed in the daylight hours.
We do not include or organize flights; our Bali travel document has suggestions regarding airlines we recommend.
You may contact us to request private transportation to Mimpi at $75. Alternatively you can inquire about shared transportation. Shared cars will go from Seminyak and Ubud to Mimpi on arrival day with departure at 10am from a local meeting place. Shared transportation will cost $20 per person.
Sample Daily Schedule
Class 7:00-9:00 , Nutrition break 9:00 - 10:15 , Class 10:30 - 13:30
Afternoon Break , Class 16:00-18:30 , No evening classes
This program, Esalen® Massage Practitioner Training Level I, includes a minimum of 175 credit hours.
Credit hours include all classes offered between 07:00 - 09:00, 10:30 - 13:30, 16:00 - 18:30, and assigned practice sessions. Most weeks include 5 - 51/2 classroom days, followed by one and one half days off; not all days off are on the weekend. These schedules change as group needs change, and to allow for service trips to local orphanages; and at Mimpi: snorkeling and diving as well as time for kayaking and cultural immersion activities.
Full attendance is required. To complete, students will successfully give a practical hands-on assessment session to a faculty member. At course completion, students will document 30 massages at their homesite.
Upon completion of the 30 massage sessions, the student gives one more assessment session to a qualified assessor. Each student submits these 30 sessions, client feedback forms, in a pdf to one or both teachers for review. Teacher then informs EMBA that the student has qualified to certify.
Student visits: www.massage.esalen.org, enters their profile as prompted, clicks ‘certificate’. This goes to EMBA administration; an email with an invoice for 150.00 USD. Student pays the invoice. Then they will receive an electronic, numbered digital certificate, from EMBA, which grants permission to practice using the Esalen trademark. An Esalen Massage certificate can open doors for practicing at numerous locations globally.
This course is offered through approval from the Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association and matches approved curriculum established by the Esalen Institute.
Meet your Teacher
-
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™ Expressive Arts, The 5Rhythms®, Tue Grof Legacy Project, featuring Groff Circled Holotropic Breathwork, Ellen’s work has been deeply influenced by her work with plant medicines, empathogens and entheogens, while she apprenticed with Terence McKenna and Stanislav Grof. Visit: www.TheGrofLegacyProject.org :www.TheVibranceCollective.com, to learn more about Grof and Vibrance.
-
Patrick Stockstill
Patrick Stockstill
Patrick Stockstill approaches bodywork with deep reverence for the power of touch to change lives. He is an Esalen® Massage teacher and practitioner, a Deep Bodywork® practitioner, and a regular ecstatic dancer. He is also a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher, trained in vinyasa, Bhakti Flow, and yin yoga.
Patrick has taught at McKinnon Body Therapy Center in Oakland, California since 2018 and has led retreats and courses in Esalen Massage in the United States since 2019. In 2024, Patrick joined the faculty of the Esalen Institute Massage School in Big Sur, California. Patrick enjoys working with adults who want to deepen their embodied experience.
Patrick lives with his family on Orcas Island, Washington. He is currently the president of the Healing Arts Center, a non-profit organization which provides holistic healthcare services to island residents and guests.
-
Jessica Fagan
Jessica Fagan, MA, AMFT is an Expressive Arts AMFT who has been practicing and teaching bodywork and movement since 1994. She joined the Esalen® massage staff in 1997 where she was deeply influenced by the innovative forms of somatic and healing arts. She integrates her knowledge of the body, self-care practices, mindfulness, dance, and trauma-informed care in her teaching, bodywork and therapy practice.
Jessica currently works in Oakland, Ca where she provides EXA Therapy for underserved populations, teaches internationally, and is passionate about use of creativity and somatic practices to provide a more holistic approach to mental health and wellness.
Venue and Accommodation
Mimpi Resort, Menjangan Bali
On the North-West coast of Bali in the village of Banyuwedang, Mimpi looks out towards 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 its 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!
Patio Room
Mimpi's standard room is the patio. Stylishly finished and available with twin or double beds, these rooms are home for most of our students through programs and regularly receive excellent feedback.
The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, making them easy to share with another guest whilst maintaining plenty of personal space.
The Courtyard Villa
The Courtyard Villa is a pleasant and affordable upgrade to the patio room. With its own garden and its own private hot spring tub, the CY Villa is a taste of luxury.
The CYV also has an additional mezzanine that is perfect for families with children or private space for meditation.
A further addition is the private garden terrace and outdoor seating area making this ideal for sitting in the open air sunshine whilst keeping some peaceful solitude, alone or with your partner. If booking a shared space in this room category, you must book with a partner.
Pricing & Payments
Prices include: Food includes daily delicious food, training manual, all materials/equipment, and gift bag.
-
Deposit ($1,000)
If you would like to reserve your space and pay the remaining balance up to 60 days before the start of this program.
-
Shared Patio Room ($6,950)
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)
-
Private Patio Room ($7,850)
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)
-
Shared Courtyard Villa ($8,350)
Shared Villas must be booked with 2 people together at the same time. A CY villa features a 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)
-
Private Courtyard Villa ($8,850)
For a taste of luxury, enjoy a CY Villa to yourself for maximum comfort and privacy. Enjoy your own spacious area with a garden and hot spring bath for total relaxation.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition & Half-board Meal)
-
Private Pool Villa ($10,350)
This housing option is similar to Courtyard Villa, with a cool plunge pool. If your partner wants to join you, and have a vacation while you are in class, this option may be the one for you.
How To Apply
1. Click Here to fill in the application form.
2. Return the application form to us.
3. Upon acceptance to the program, you then formally register.
4. Registration begins with the choice of room, which determines the price you pay.
5. You also fill in and sign the enrollment agreement.
6. Submit the registration and enrollment agreement to us, along with payment (either deposit or in full) for the room choice you made.
7. We will send you a confirmation of payment, enter you into the roster, reserve your room, and send you periodic updates.
Enrollment Agreement
Once you have submitted your application and been accepted, you need to download the enrollment agreement down below, read it carefully, sign it, and send it back to us via email at contact@movingventures.org
