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

Self-Guided Explorations Week of December 16-20, 2024

December 16-20, 2024

Teachers in Residence

Imagine trading crowded stores and holiday stress for days spent along mist-draped cliffs and beside ancient redwoods, where the beauty of winter invites you to breathe deeply, reflect, and reset. This is a chance to honor the season differently: to set aside consumerism and, instead, tend to your own inner wellbeing.

Unlike traditional retreats that follow a predetermined schedule, Self-Guided Explorations empowers you to craft a personalized journey of self-discovery, drawing upon our rich legacy of holistic well-being. Here, amidst the rugged beauty of Big Sur, you are free to explore at your own pace, guided by your intuition, supported by the tranquility of our surroundings, and inspired by the whispers of the ancient land beneath your feet.

With a spacious and supportive schedule and no obligations, a self-guided retreat lets you create your own path at your own pace. It’s a time to metabolize the year that’s passed, to heal in the presence of nature, and to reconnect with what truly matters. Here, amid Big Sur’s quiet magic, you’ll find space to shed the burdens of the past and step into a more peaceful, renewed version of yourself.

Teachers in Residence

As the instructors of our daily open classes, Teachers in Residence lead you in a variety of activities that may include yoga and dance-based movement, journaling sessions, breath work, and other pursuits designed to encourage joy and mindfulness.

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