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

Transpersonal Breathwork Practices: Circular Breathing™, Qigong, and Integrative Gestalt Practice™

August 13–18, 2023

Perry Holloman, Johanna Holloman, and Mac Murphy

Join us for a transformative workshop where ancient traditions intersect with modern science to unleash the power of transpersonal breathwork practices. Through this week-long immersive experience, you will discover the profound benefits of Circular Breathing and other multicultural techniques that have been embraced  by Western science.

Circular Breathing is a potent way to access non-ordinary states of consciousness without the use of psychedelics. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to participate in four longer breathwork sessions, each designed to take you on a journey of self-discovery and transformation. Our mornings will begin with an optional morning dip in Hot Springs creek, led by Mac Murphy, followed by energy-building practices from Qigong and Wim Hof. Perry and Johanna will then teach practices of breath control as described by James Nestor in his groundbreaking book, Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art.

Each afternoon, we will delve deeper into the transformative practice of Circular Breathing under the guidance of Perry, Johanna, and Mac. With the support of a “sitter,” we will explore accelerated breathing techniques that have been documented to have profound effects by Harvard Mind-Body Clinic co-founder Herbert Benson, MD.

Creating time for integration, articulation, and creative expression is an important part of the workshop process. Expect to express through drawing images that arise from our breathwork, writing poetry, and exploring ourselves using the powerful tool of Integrative Gestalt Practice under the experienced guidance of Perry and Johanna.

Come ready to relax your body and mind, and to let the supporting music guide you on a journey into your essential being. Breathing is  the first thing we do entering this life, and the last thing as we exit.

Breathwork has the power to show us who we really are beyond the veils of our ego structure. Join us for a transformative week of self-inquiry! Experience the convergence of ancient traditions and modern science to unlock your potential for personal growth and healing.

Recommended Reading: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, by James Nestor

Perry Holloman

Perry has been a facilitator and teacher of Integrative Gestalt Coaching™ at Esalen for over 40 years, specializing in body-oriented approaches to inner development and trauma recovery. In collaboration with his wife Johanna, he co-developed the transformative method of Hologenic Breathwork™. As a senior teacher of Esalen Massage and the creator of Deep Bodywork®, Perry continues to inspire students both at Esalen and internationally.

Full Bio

Johanna Holloman

Johanna Holloman is a German-born clinical psychologist and Diamond Approach® teacher. Her international teachings in Integrative Gestalt Coaching™, Integrative Somatic Practice™, Deep Bodywork®, Esalen Massage®, and Yoga focus on embodied presence and inner development through inquiry, breath and movement.

Full Bio

Mac Murphy

Mac Murphy is a practitioner of Esalen Massage & Bodywork and Human Transformation, and he guides students in harnessing their innate power. Mac teaches a variety of breathwork practices, including Daoist Qi Gong, Tumo breathwork, Kundalini, and Pranayama

Full Bio