Esalen® Massage Professional Training

This retreat (offered as two immersive 8-day modules) is a guided, transformational journey via Esalen Massage, a renowned presence-based approach to touch developed over the last 60 years in Big Sur, CA. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a newer bodyworker, in this workshop you will be given tools to expand your capacity for skillful and heartfelt touch by exploring the interface of technique, improvisation, and intuition. A journey deep into the self, in right relationship with others, Esalen Massage will profoundly transform your ability to be present, your quality of touch, and your power to share safe, healing touch. Upon successful completion of the course requirements, you will be invited to join the global family of Esalen Massage as a certified Esalen Massage Practitioner. What is Esalen Massage? ​ Esalen Massage applies principles of mindfulness to bodywork, offering up a holistic body-mind-spirit experience on the massage table. Through oil application with light to medium pressure and slow rhythmic strokes, the practitioner evokes awareness, a sensory “coming home.” The practitioner follows rather than leads, and adds deeper detail work to untangle stressed muscles, integrating each release into the surrounding tissue and the whole body. Assisted movement or stretches can be applied to free up old holding patterns, and frequent pauses give time for assimilation, energetic re-balance, and a sense of well-being. (from the Esalen website) Guided by senior Esalen teachers with decades of teaching experience, you will explore different areas of the body each day, applying a variety of massage techniques to address tension, holding patterns, and injuries, all within the holistic framework of Esalen Massage. Daily experiential learning also include sensory awareness, mindful embodiment practices (e.g. mediation, tai chi, yoga, dance), applied anatomy, communication skills, and simple but powerful self care practices. Prerequisites, Certification, and Continuing Education Details After successful completion of this course and 15 documented Esalen Massage sessions, graduates will receive annual membership in and a certificate from the Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association (EMBA). Use of the Esalen name or logo in your advertising requires registration with EMBA. First year EMBA fees are included in your tuition. Instructors are NCBTMB approved continuing education credit providers. Successful completion of the EMBA certification requirements (above and beyond earning CE hours) includes up to two "touch-in" evaluations, one final evaluation massage with an instructor, and 15 Esalen Massage sessions, completed within 6 months of the course end date (with brief documentation provided to the instructors). This course meets all Washington and Oregon state continuing education requirements for LMTs, not including CPR and the hour in cultural competency required by Oregon. Tuition is 100% refundable (minus a $50 fee) before September 12, 2023. Tuition is 50% refundable between September 12 and September 24, 2023. Tuition is non-refundable after September 24.Admission Requirements 2: Prerequisite: massage certification (at least 150 hours of combined massage and anatomy training).