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

Healing, Rest, & Embodied Liberation for Men of Color

January 31 – February 2, 2025

Danny Fluker and Darnell Lamont Walker

Immerse yourself in a restorative workshop designed specifically for male-identifying people of color. This unique experience offers a sanctuary for growth and self-discovery, fostering a supportive community where participants can connect and build meaningful relationships.

Black boys and men of color have limited opportunities to engage in mind-body healing practices, and there are not nearly enough representations of Black male wellness; this workshop provides tools for transformation, healing, and empowerment while also addressing the interconnected issues of mental health, racial disparities, and community well-being.

Danny and Darnell combine meditation, yoga, and reflective writing to create a nurturing space for participants to explore their inner selves and cultivate mindfulness. Through guided meditations and intention-setting exercises, participants will center their energy and focus on their personal growth journey.

This workshop features:

  • Rejuvenating Hatha Yoga sessions, engaging participants in gentle stretches, balancing poses, and breathing exercises to promote physical and mental well-being.
  • Yoga Nidra sessions to provide deep relaxation and inner exploration for a meditative state of consciousness.
  • Reflective writing sessions to offer a profound opportunity for self-discovery and life visioning, guided by thoughtful prompts.
  • Shadow work writing sessions to confront and integrate repressed aspects of the self for holistic healing.
  • Somatic movement, breathwork, and primal movement exercises to facilitate healing and emotional release.
  • Healing circles to enrich the experience, fostering support and collective healing energy.

With reflective writing and a closing circle, participants will be able to process their experiences, express gratitude, and set future intentions to carry them well beyond Esalen.

Danny Fluker

Danny Fluker is a meditation and yoga instructor, and the founder and Executive Director of Black Boys OM–an organization that provides education and support of wellness modality teachers and students within the black community. Danny teaches meditation and yoga at his nonprofit, in corporations, and at yoga studios across the United States and Caribbean.

Full Bio

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