The Esalen Massage® Teacher Training

with Ellen Watson, Perry Holloman,

Peggy Horan, Ingrid May & Johanna Holloman


Module I : January 12 - 28, 2024

Module II : June 7 - 23, 2024

Module III : January 10 - 26, 2025


Mimpi Resort Menjangan, Bali, Indonesia

Click here for Chinese version, and click here for Japanese version.

THE ESALEN MASSAGE® TEACHER TRAINING

Esalen Massage is a world-renowned healing art and is the foundation for many of the massage methods now taught around the globe. What makes Esalen Massage unique is its emphasis on the development of presence and awareness in both practitioner and client, making it a means for personal growth and the transformation of human consciousness.

The Esalen Institute has historically supported practices oriented toward healing body, mind, self, and community as paths toward reaching our fullest potential, both individually and collectively. The Esalen Massage Teacher Training is designed to give participants skills both to support their individual development as healing artists and, more importantly, to bring groups of people together in the collective exercise of healing through touch.

Becoming an Esalen Massage teacher means becoming a standard bearer of the highest quality and professionalism in the healing arts. Training lay people in this eldest of all healing practices, the sacred art of touch, requires the development of self-awareness, presence, knowledge, and skill. If you have been an Esalen Massage practitioner for at least 2 years, and want to dedicate yourself to mastery of this powerful healing art, then you are qualified to apply for this training.

Read on for details regarding structure, content, application requirements and procedures.

STRUCTURE OF THE ESALEN MASSAGE® TEACHER TRAINING

The Esalen Massage Teacher Training will take place in Bali, Indonesia, and be composed of three 16-day modules. The foundational principles taught in module 1 will provide the basis for further learning and development in modules 2 & 3, resulting in developing all skills necessary to be an Introductory Level Teacher of Esalen Massage.

Each day will begin with meditation and exposure to different movement practices. A few of you are professional teachers of different embodied practices, and we will task some of you in module one to tailor your skills to help us begin our mornings with movement and meditation. In each module we will enjoy a morning practice, breakfast, morning session until lunch, an afternoon session, and evenings will be free.

In between modules 1 & 2 and 2 & 3, and after graduation from module 3, there will be specific homework assignments that must be completed to become a teacher of this work. Designing and teaching introductory evenings, daylong and weekend seminars are among the most important. Developing and integrating a movement practice that supports the experience of “embodied presence” amongst your students is another important facet of this work. Yoga practice, chi-gong, and different forms of ecstatic dance are examples of presence-based practices appropriate for this work. You will be exposed to many of these practices during this training and experience how they are integrated into a unified teaching experience.

After module 1, you will select or be assigned a mentor to guide you through the three modules. You may stay with the same mentor at the training’s conclusion or choose another.

After completing this training, all students will be required to organize and teach at least two introductory seminars of no less than 8 hours to move from teacher candidate status to introductory teacher status. Only teachers who achieve introductory teacher status can apply for advanced training to become certification-level teachers (leading certification trainings with other certification-level teachers). Your mentor will help you in this process once you have established yourselves as introductory-level teachers.

CONTENT DESCRIBED BY MODULE

MODULE 1

This module will focus on understanding the history and essence of this work as a “presencebased healing art.” We will show you how to organize your knowledge into coherent presentations that are engaging enough to build interest in your introductory seminars.

Organizing and articulating your knowledge of Esalen Massage as a form of work capable of elevating consciousness through integrating the body and mind through touch, sensation, feeling, and moving will be emphasized. The instructors will show you how to weave storytelling with practical information about this method to make your presentations compelling. Keeping our presentations both brief and experiential is important to your skill development in this module. Learning to teach the signature long stroke both as a method and an art form will be a focus.

Each day will involve group exercises designed to help you develop both your understanding of this healing art and the method of presenting it in a manner that creates a market for your seminars. We will break into small groups each day and create presentations that we will give to each other, receiving feedback from your peers and teachers.

Homework for this module will be to design and present an introductory evening, and/or daylong (two-session) experience which introduces and teaches Esalen Massage. If you don’t have one, choose a movement practice that you will integrate into your Esalen Massage teaching. Your mentors will assist you in understanding and structuring these experiences.

Reading assignments: Hostage at the Table by George Kohlreiser; Particular pages from The Anatomy Coloring Book

MODULE 2

This module will focus on expanding the skills developed in module 1 to prepare students to teach an 8–10-hour weekend or multi-evening (4-5) seminar. In addition to expanding your knowledge of this work and refining your presentation and public speaking skills, we will begin to study individual and group dynamics theories. Being touched in an intensive, presence-based manner can mobilize repressed life-experience for many people. Learning to understand and support our students when this occurs is an important feature of the Esalen Massage teacher’s skill set. Understanding the importance of “group bonding” will be an important focus in module 2. Basic principles of Integrative Gestalt and Attachment Theory relevant to the development of leadership skills will be taught.

We will add an understanding of how to integrate detail work on the arms, legs, hands, feet, and face into our teaching of the long stroke and how the long stroke provides a matrix out of which we flow into detail work, and out of detail work back into the long stroke. By the end of this module, students should be able to lead an 8-10 hour long seminar teaching the basics of a full-body Esalen Massage.

Students will be expected to integrate appropriate introductory anatomical knowledge into their presentations in this module. As in module 1, our days will begin with meditation and movement and include small group exercises supporting relevant skill development.

Homework for module 2 will include designing and teaching an 8-10 hour Esalen Massage seminar for beginners. You will also be asked to prepare a demonstration no longer than 20 minutes which you will present in module 3. This demonstration should flow out of the long stroke and into detail work on a given body part like the forearm and hand, lower leg and foot, face, shoulder or hip. Please add appropriate, simple anatomical knowledge relevant for a beginner.

Reading assignment: The Educated Heart by Nina Mclintosh

MODULE 3

Module 3 will deepen our focus on individual and group dynamics and emphasize how to close our groups in an attuned, appropriate manner. Different ways of facilitating group closure will be explored, and the phenomenon of “post-group depression” will be discussed to understand how to minimize it. We will continue our work of presenting massage demonstrations, leading small group exercises, morning movement and meditation in front of your teachers and peers as time allows.

Successful strategies for marketing this work and creating effective professional networks will also be discussed. Your teachers will present strategies that have been successful for them in their careers, and you will be divided into small groups to brainstorm how, in this age of social media, effective marketing campaigns can be designed and with what tools.

We will have an in-depth discussion of professional ethics having to do with sharing a global space together in a synergistic, respectful manner. Your next steps for continued work with your mentors to achieve full introductorylevel teacher status will be clearly outlined. Understanding that students will progress into full introductory-level status at different rates is essential. Some of you have extensive teaching experience in other fields and have welldeveloped public speaking skills. Others of you have psychology backgrounds and an educated understanding of individual and group dynamics. Some of you have detailed knowledge of social media marketing and network building and have a head start in this regard. Your mentors will be responsible for telling you when you are ready to progress into full introductory-level status, so working closely with them will be of utmost importance!

66 Hours of CEU Credit Offered for Each Module

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN & PRACTICE?

  • Esalen Massage history

  • Fundamental teaching, presentation and public speaking skills

  • Teaching the signature long-stroke of Esalen Massage.

  • Awareness practices fundamental to Esalen Massage

  • Sensory awareness: mindfulness; embodied Life Practices (daily meditation and movement).

  • Building teaching expertise through detailed work on specific areas of the body and anatomy

  • Customizing teaching style to different audiences

  • Building professional networks including marketing

  • Understanding individual and group dynamics; professional ethics; self, peer and teacher assessment.

MEET YOUR TEACHERS

  • ELLEN WATSON

    Ellen Watson is celebrating her 40th year on the staff and faculty at Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA, where she studies, practices, and teaches various modalities of moving meditation practice. Ellen is a teacher of Esalen® Massage & Bodywork, Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms, Holotropic Breathwork, Vibrance, Touching Essence, Wake Up & Roar and Your Body is a Musical Instrument.

  • PERRY HOLLOMAN

    Perry has been a teacher of Esalen Massage for 35 years. He developed the first European Esalen Massage teacher training in 2009, and the first teacher training taught through the Esalen catalog in 2017. He is the creator of the Deep Bodywork® method, which he teaches internationally. He and his wife Johanna live in Big Sur and teach somatic approaches to human development at Esalen and globally.

  • PEGGY HORAN

    Peggy Horan gives Esalen Massage in a field of comfort and support, using stretches and deep muscle work to bring healing and relaxation to her clients. She has been practicing and teaching Esalen Massage for five decades and is the author of Connecting Through Touch, A Couples Massage Book.

  • INGRID MAY

    Ingrid May is a German-trained physical therapist and since 1986 has been an Esalen bodywork practitioner and massage teacher. The founder/co-director of Oasis School of Massage and Healing Arts in Buenos Aires, she teaches trainings and workshops internationally.

  • JOHANNA HOLLOMAN

    Johanna Holloman is a German-born clinical psychologist, Diamond Approach® teacher, and certified Esalen Massage and Deep Bodywork® instructor. She teaches internationally. She is a yoga teacher (E-RYT 500) and created the Esalen inhouse yoga training program.

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.

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 maintaing plenty of personal space.

COURTYARD VILLA

The Courtyard Villa is a pleasant and affordable upgrade to the patio room. With it's own garden and it's 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 & PAYMENT

Tuition for each module is $3950

including two meals per day (breakfast and dinner) and

shared standard housing (2 persons per room).

Travel expenses are not included.

For a private room, add $800 per module.

For a shared courtyard villa, add $1500 per module (2 persons per villa).

For a private courtyard villa, add $2350 per module.

Please follow this link to view accommodations:

https://mimpi.com/resort/boutique/bali/menjangan/accommodation/

For more information about registration, payment, accommodations, and travel logistics,

please contact Moving Ventures at the following e-mail:

contact@movingventures.org

or by phone (Whatsapp) +1 831-212-1639

For information about course content only (no logistics)

contact Perry at: bodyofwiz@hotmail.com

DEPOSIT $1,000

If you would like to reserve your place on this program you may do so prior to approval of eligiblity.  In the event you are not approved we will refund 100% of the deposit payment.  Spaces are limited and in demand and so we advise reserving your place as soon as possible.  Upon approval we will send you a payment link for the remaining balance.

ESALEN® MASSAGE TEACHER TRAINING
REQUIRMENTS, APPLICATION & REGISTRATION

To be eligibile to take this training, you must be certified in Esalen Massage and Bodywork, through EMBA or Esalen Institute.  Please attach a copy of your certificate.


Please be reminded that Esalen Teacher Trainings are few and far between.  This will be the first training outside of the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California.  We expect places to fill quickly and this program is limited to a maximum of 24 students.  With that in mind, please complete registration at your earliest convenience.

We recommend to bookmark this page (Ctrl/Cmd + D) if you would like to return to complete parts later.

APPLICATION FORM

Community living and personal well-being while you are training at Mimpi Menjangan.  Mimpi is located in a rural, salt water lagoon, on the far northwest coast of Bali.  Core staff and students live in close contact with one another with numerous guests joining for 3-5 days, and 120 staff coming and going throughout the day and night. The closest major town is Singaraja City, which is approximately 60-90 minutes away by personal car.  Your housing preference is part of your tuition fees so please consider these factors carefully before you apply.

Please fill in about your interest in the Esalen Massage Teacher Training Program.  Tell us why you would like to participate in this program.  Please include a discussion of any short, medium and long term goals you may have as a teacher of this work.  Please reflect and respond to the following five topic areas:

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@ellen-watson.com

Please check travel requirements and our helpful travel info, click here…