Touching Essence™
Introduction Immersion
with Ellen Watson, Elena Gilli, And Daniela Urbassek
October 22 - 24, 2025
Tactus Studio, Torino, Italy
Touching Essence is a multi-sensory, multicultural, Neo-shamanic approach to healing through touch. Touching Essence combines the physical with the metaphysical, engaging the energies of chakras, meridians and the cosmos. We engage the five physical senses, the three subtle senses of imagination, intuition and inspiration, specifically chosen essential oils, sound, song and mantra creation. Each session is individually crafted in support of highest good and desired outcomes of the client.
Touching Essence
Developed over the last 30 years at Esalen Institute, California, Centro d’Ompio, Italy and Bali, Indonesia, Touching Essence is inspired and nurtured by Ellen’s plant medicine work, sound healing, and breathwork practices and teachings, by Elena's (founder of Tactus), art of touch and energetic work, and by Daniela’s study and practice Esalen Massage and of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Daniela, Elena and Ellen have a combined total of 75 hears of study, practice and teaching Esalen®Massage & Bodywork, along with various healing, somatic and expressive arts practices.
Touching Essence uses the Indian Map of 8 Chakras, the Chinese map of 12 meridians, along with specific essential oils, vocal and sound healing, visualization and affirmation in support of desired outcomes. These act as conductors through which the body, mind, emotions and energy interact as an integrated system. Any imbalance at the level of the chakras and meridians is closely correlated with tensions and disharmonies on the physical level.
The focus of the work is to access these powerful energy centers through a combination of the five physical senses and the three subtle senses. We teach students how to direct breath and sound to release holding patterns throughout the physical and metaphysical bodies.
The intention of this course, is global fusion of highly effective approaches and protocols that address patterns of holding in the physical, emotional, and energetic bodies.
This Program perfect for
Everyone!! Whether for personal development or professional training, this healing and somatic arts program, will enhance your life. If you are new, a novice, perfect. A great way to begin. If you are a seasoned professional, this continuing education program will add to your likely more clinical and traditional training in massage and bodywork. Those previously certified in oil based massage, are eligible to take Modules I & II: The Metaphysics. Those without previous training will want to register for the entire 250 hour training. For EU members: Upon graduation, you are eligible to apply for the Holistic Operator certification.
Our Goal
Give and receive an effective, enjoyable and transformative Touching Essence session. Cultivate deep listening skills, personal presence, awareness and attentiveness. Develop your vocal skills through breath and sound exercises, craft mantra based on client’s desired outcomes. Enhance Awareness of your 8 Sensing Centers. Use our specifically chosen essential oils in support of desired outcomes. Learn the basics of Gestalt Communication Practice. Develop and practice appropriate professional boundaries. Fall in love this Touching Essence as a practice. Open your heart, engage your breath and free your spirit.
Teacher Profiles
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Daniela Urbassek
Has 30 years of professional experience as a licensed massage therapist and instructor, specializing in Esalen Massage, Meridian Massage, Aroma Therapy, Cranio Sacral Therapy, and Hatha Yoga. Her services have been offered at internationally renowned holistic and healing centers, 5 star hotel resorts and spas in the US, Europe, Asia and through private practice in Carmel, California. She is passionate about the powerful impact of somatic and holistic practices.
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Ellen Watson
Celebrates her 35th year in the staff and faculty of the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, California, where she studies, practices and teaches various ways of meditative practice, massage and movement. Ellen is a teacher of Esalen® Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms by Gabrielle Roth, Holotropic Breathing, SpiritDanceSoulSong®, Vibrance®, Touching Essence ™, Wake Up & Roar. From 1984 to 2003, Ellen developed and administered the Movement Arts Program in Esalen. In 1996 she founded MovingVentures (www.movingventures.org), which offers workshops, retreats and training courses in Esalen, Bali, China and other parts of the world. Visit: www.TheVibranceCollective.com, to learn more about Vibrance.
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Ellena Gili
Since 1995 deals with self-knowledge and personal growth in Italy and abroad, today more than ever strongly interested in disseminating the experience of contact. Founder and President of the TACTUS Social Promotion Association (www.cumtactus.it); PI398P-OP Holistic Operator and PI223-CO Professional Counselor registered in the national Siaf Italia registers; Reiki Master; Vibrance® operator; Teacher in training of Esalen® Massage at Esalen Institute – Big Sur, California; Certified in Touching Essence ™ at MovingVentures- Bali, Indonesia; Graduated in Political Sciences, Social Address; Massage Operator in Schools Program; Bodyworker & Aquatic Bodyworker.
Want to Apply?
If you would like to participate in the Touching Essence just fill in the info below and we'll get in touch as soon as possible!
Places are limited so we advise registering interest at your earliest convenience.
Tactus, Torino
Tactus Studio was founded by Elena Gili in 2008 as the home for her practices. Turin, renowned for it's architecture, food and grand piazzas is a fantastic place to take such a training. For all practitioners across Europe, it will be a joy to visit and soak up this experience whilst getting certified in Touching Essence.