Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
Learn More.

Learn more.

Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
past workshop

Cultivating Creative Resilience

February 3–7, 2025

Darnell Lamont Walker and Cara Chandler

Pause the noise of daily life and embark on a weeklong creative journey designed to help you rediscover your inner strength, creativity, and resilience. Through a blend of yoga movement, guided yoga nidra practices, and focused writing exercises, you are encouraged to release tension, explore personal challenges, and unlock your creative flow.

This immersive workshop includes:

  • Yoga practices designed to relieve tension, dissolve internal blockages, and prepare your body for creative exploration.
  • Guided yoga nidra meditations to promote deep relaxation and gently reframe thought patterns.
  • Writing exercises that encourage self-expression and insight, complemented by group discussions and support.

Together, we will create a space for restoration, connection, and the release of pent-up emotions. By the end of our week, you’ll have the opportunity to explore practices and tools that can inspire creativity, support stress management, and nurture a resilient mindset in your daily life.

* Locals rate available for locals who do not require overnight accommodations. Click "Register Now" for more information. Valid ID required.

Darnell Lamont Walker

Darnell writes because writing somehow keeps the world from collapsing in on itself. As an author, poet, playwright, and screenwriter, Darnell approaches the page with an enormous amount of tenderness and audacity, teaching others to do the same.

Full Bio

Cara Chandler

Cara is a Hatha Yoga RYT certified yoga teacher, Yoga Nidra certified, has a bachelor's in Film & Television studies and a master's in Psychology. She spent over a decade working in the TV industry, helping storytellers find their voice and share authentic stories. Her unique teaching style blends storytelling, movement, and connection with the intuitive voice.

Full Bio