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: Holotropic Breathwork®, Qigong, and Integrative Gestalt Practice™

August 13–18, 2023

Ellen Watson, Perry 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 Holotropic Breathwork® and other multicultural techniques that have been validated by Western science.

Developed by the renowned Stanislav Grof, MD, PhD, Holotropic Breathwork® 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 Holotropic®sessions, each designed to take you on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.

We’ll start our days with an invigorating kata led by Mac Murphy, a breathwork expert trained in China. You’ll learn qigong and other breathing practices inspired by Tummo and Wim Hof, and you’ll even have the option to take a refreshing dip in the nearby Hot Springs Creek.

Each afternoon, you’ll delve deeper into Holotropic Breathwork® in three-hour sessions. With the support of a “sitter” and under the expert guidance of Ellen Watson and Perry Holloman, you’ll explore accelerated breathing techniques that have been documented by Harvard Mind-Body Clinic co-founder Herbert Benson, MD, to have profound effects.

This workshop also includes time for integration, including creative expressions of your experiences, such as drawing mandalas, writing poetry, and exploring your experiences using the powerful tool of Integrative Gestalt Practice under the experienced guidance of Perry and Ellen.

Relax your body and mind, and let the evocative music guide you on a journey through your chakra system! Join us for a life-changing week of self-discovery and transformation through the power of breath. Experience the convergence of ancient traditions and modern science to unlock your potential for personal growth and healing.

To find out more about Holotropic Breathwork®, please read Stan Grof’s The Holotropic Mind or review these videos: Stanislav Grof – Holotropic Breathing (YouTube) and Stanislav Grof: Holotropic Bodywork Workshop [Part 1] (YouTube).

Ellen Watson

Ellen Watson fell in love with breath when she first arrived at Esalen in the 1980s. During the ensuing years, studying breath became a focus in all her pursuits. In addition to enhancing self-awareness, breath informs all the practices Ellen teaches at Esalen today. Among these practices are Esalen Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms®, Touching Essence, and the Vibrance Collective Practices.

Full Bio

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

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