Lucia Horan was born here at Esalen on the north side of campus in the Jade House — mere steps from the Art Barn where her father worked. Her mother, an Esalen Massage practitioner worked just across campus. In between, a wild world of characters shared with her the many practices developed here and popularized worldwide. “I am endemic to this land, raised on and in her water, as a child, wife, and mother,” says Lucia.
A certified Esalen® Massage practitioner who received lifelong direct training with Gabrielle Roth in the 5Rhythms® moving meditation practice, Lucia will lead Resource and Renew: 5Rhythms and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness in October and co-lead Gateways: A 5Rhythms® Movement & Mindfulness Retreat in December with her husband and fellow Esalen faculty, Douglas Drummond. In anticipation, she shares her thoughts on authenticity, love, and the ever-evolving, holy nature of the dance: “It never gets old. It is always inspirational.”
What is Esalen to you??
Esalen is my birthplace. It is literally the land I was born on. It is my home and community. It is the land that has held me through my childhood, youth, adolescence, and adulthood. I am endemic to this land, raised on and in her water, as a child, wife, and mother.
What do you do/are you doing at Esalen?
I am currently a facility member who facilitates seminars focused on carrying the lineage of 5Rhythms and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. I also run focus groups specializing in grief wellness and women’s work.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness is rooted in contentment, peace, belonging, and freedom. It is a joy where there is enough for everyone. My ideal happiness includes grace. I believe grace is a state that is free of fear and resistance. One day, I hope to meet you there!
What is your greatest fear in your work?
That I will no longer be needed.
Which living or dead person do you most admire in your field?
Gabrielle Roth. She is the founder, the philosopher, the magic mamma, and the truth-sayer.
What is your greatest extravagance related to your practice?
Self-care. Hands down. I require a lot from my body, so I give a lot back to my body. It is an investment I highly value and depend on for balance and well-being. I believe it is the only way I can remain in a sustainable relationship with my work, maintain passion, and avoid burnout.
What is your current state of mind?
Excited, now and for the future.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Being a “doer.”
What is the quality you most like in a human?
Authenticity
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
The Dance. My family.
What about your work brings you the most happiness?
The biggest reward in my work comes from seeing others heal, transform, and light up with life. The most rewarding people to work with are the ones who are the most stuck and rigid. It is from their freedom that my heart finds delight.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To have a photographic memory!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Self-criticism
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Becoming a mother and wife.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
The ocean
What would living at Esalen for a month be like for you?
A lot of work and a lot of fun!
What is your most treasured possession?
My body
How do you maintain your practice(s) during challenging times?
Keep showing up.
What is your favorite component of your work?
The holy nature of the dance, the great mystery of the unknown, the continual unfolding into the present. It never gets old. It is always inspirational.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Authenticity and kindness
What do you value most in your work/practice?
The fact that my work is alive and evolving, changing as I am. It never gets old because it is infused with what is true and unfolding in my own learning path in each moment. What I am going through is never pushed into the background and sidelined. It is the fertile ground that inspires me to continue to show up in my most raw, real, and authentic dance, and invite that same quality to be true and present in each student I meet.
Who are your inspirations?
Peggy Horan, Gabrielle Roth, David Treleaven, Robert Hall
Who is your hero of fiction?
Wonder Woman
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Mother Teresa
Who are your heroes in real life?
Mothers who work so hard to raise their children with love and who hardly ever are appreciated for their sacred duties.
What is your greatest regret?
Not saying goodbye.
How would you like to die?
Peacefully
What is your motto?
Love and be loved in the biggest way possible.
“Remembering to be as self compassionate as I can and praying to the divine that we're all a part of.”
–Aaron
“Prayer, reading, meditation, walking.”
–Karen
“Erratically — which is an ongoing stream of practice to find peace.”
–Charles
“Try on a daily basis to be kind to myself and to realize that making mistakes is a part of the human condition. Learning from our mistakes is a journey. But it starts with compassion and caring. First for oneself.”
–Steve
“Physically: aerobic exercise, volleyball, ice hockey, cycling, sailing. Emotionally: unfortunately I have to work to ‘not care’ about people or situations which may end painfully. Along the lines of ‘attachment is the source of suffering’, so best to avoid it or limit its scope. Sad though because it could also be the source of great joy. Is it worth the risk?“
–Rainer
“It's time for my heart to be nurtured on one level yet contained on another. To go easy on me and to allow my feelings to be validated, not judged harshly. On the other hand, to let the heart rule with equanimity and not lead the mind and body around like a master.”
–Suzanne
“I spend time thinking of everything I am grateful for, and I try to develop my ability to express compassion for myself and others without reservation. I take time to do the things I need to do to keep myself healthy and happy. This includes taking experiential workshops, fostering relationships, and participating within groups which have a similar interest to become a more compassionate and fulfilled being.“
–Peter
“Self-forgiveness for my own judgments. And oh yeah, coming to Esalen.”
–David B.
“Hmm, this is a tough one! I guess I take care of my heart through fostering relationships with people I feel connected to. Spending quality time with them (whether we're on the phone, through messages/letters, on Zoom, or in-person). Being there for them, listening to them, sharing what's going on with me, my struggles and my successes... like we do in the Esalen weekly Friends of Esalen Zoom sessions!”
–Lori
“I remind myself in many ways of the fact that " Love is all there is!" LOVE is the prize and this one precious life is the stage we get to learn our lessons. I get out into nature, hike, camp, river kayak, fly fish, garden, I create, I dance (not enough!), and I remain grateful for each day, each breath, each moment. Being in the moment, awake, and remembering the gift of life and my feeling of gratitude for all of creation.”
–Steven
“My physical heart by limiting stress and eating a heart-healthy diet. My emotional heart by staying in love with the world and by knowing that all disappointment and loss will pass.“
–David Z.
Today, September 29, is World Heart Day. Strike up a conversation with your own heart and as you feel comfortable, encourage others to do the same. As part of our own transformations and self-care, we sometimes ask for others to illuminate and enliven our hearts or speak our love language.
What if we could do this for ourselves too, even if just for today… or to start a heart practice, forever?
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
