The Esalen® Massage100-hour Professional Practitioner Training offers comprehensive bodywork education in the skills necessary to become a recognized Esalen Massage practitioner. This class is tailored for certified massage practitioners seeking to add the resources of Esalen Massage to their repertoire. It focuses on critical skills relevant for giving a full Esalen Massage, including centering and grounding, self-care and reflection, application of the long flowing strokes punctuated with detail specific to each segment, and an integrated experience of body-mind-spirit.

Additional points of the curriculum include work in the side-lying posture, passive joint movement, gentle stretching, and ethics of massage. Students will learn and practice communication skills to enhance deep self-reflection and to address emotional release that may arise during a massage session. The instructors offer on-going support at the table as well as assessment through receiving.

This course is designed to link body, mind and spirit in a professionally oriented, hands-on training. Successful completion includes full attendance (100 classroom hours), one 30 minute, and one 75 minute massage assessment session, fifteen documented off-site massage sessions, and payment of the certificate fee ( $150). Graduation grants the practitioner full Esalen® Massage privileges, including listing on the website and use of the brand to promote their work as Esalen® Massage as long as they remain in good standing.

Students will receive a resource book that includes the class schedule and curriculum, forms, and assessment guidance plus multiple articles by leaders notable in the Esalen Massage legacy. Attendance is kept daily; If health reasons prevent a student from attending a class, a student may arrange with the instructors to make-up the class time.

Module 1: The initial sessions focus on personal introductions, fostering communication skills, and understanding the significance of intentional touch. Students will develop sensory awareness, centering, and grounding techniques, alongside practices for cultivating presence. The module covers the historical context and contemporary evolution of Esalen Massage, emphasizing the institute's influences and key principles. Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises, students will familiarize themselves with the Esalen approach to massage, including contact, connection, and the signature flow. 

Weeks 2-6: Over the following four weeks, the curriculum continues to emphasize quality touch, draping techniques, and specific body areas in prone and supine positions. Body mechanics, mindfulness, and effective communication skills with clients are highlighted throughout this period.  Additionally, we will begin to address specific areas of the body using the Esalen approach. 

Module 2: The second module expands on massage techniques by addressing different body layers, specific concerns, and injuries. Utilizing Esalen massage principles, students will learn techniques such as passive joint movement, stretching, pressure points, and deeper strokes. Ethics training, incorporating Gestalt principles, will be provided, along with opportunities for students to practice on experienced Esalen massage therapists and receive feedback.

Weeks 7-9: These weeks focus on exploring alternate massage positions, such as side-lying, and further addressing specific body areas like hands, feet, and face. Additionally, students will continue to enhance their mindfulness skills through practice.b 

Module 3: The final module offers students the chance to refine their skills by working with professional Esalen massage therapists. Topics include trauma sensitivity, effective client communication, and discussing the benefits of Esalen massage. Students will conduct a full Esalen massage on instructors to fulfill final completion requirements.

Final Requirements: To graduate, students must successfully perform an Esalen massage on an instructor, document fifteen practice sessions conducted off-site, and submit them electronically along with the certificate application and fee. Graduates gain access to Esalen Brand privileges as long as they maintain good standing.

Skills for developing presence and mindfulness through movement and meditation

Understanding the History, development, and influences on Esalen massage: How it began, who developed Esalen massage. How the Esalen Institute and the era of the 1960’s was important. How the work of Charlotte Selver, Swedish massage, and other’s played a key role in it’s evolution. How Esalen massage continues to evolve today

Understanding the principles of Esalen Massage: presence, listening skills, flow, responsiveness.

Using the Esalen principles when addressing specific areas of concern. Review of anatomical terms, muscles, origins and insertions, working with injuries, working with resistance, understanding the contraindications of massage, communication during a session, working at a variety of depths,

Deepening the art of sensing and listening while giving and receiving a massage: how to interpret what you are feeling, engaging the client in the process of receiving, how deep to go.

Learning to build repertoire with your client through professional communication and relational assessment: building safety and trust, how to ask for feedback, relational approach: understanding the relationship between mind and body, and working with both, working with the mind/body connection and staying in scope of practice, understanding the psychology of relaxation, what to do when emotions arise.

Learning specific massage techniques and Esalen principles for each segment of the body: limbs (arms and legs), torso (back, chest, abdomen), hands, feet, neck, head (face and scalp)

Understanding the role of the nervous system in massage and learning techniques that impact the nervous system: the anatomy of the nervous system, pacing, rocking and holds

Learning how to apply passive joint movement: safely moving arms and legs, assessing for limitations and restrictions in movement

Learning stretches to lengthen and release muscles with the legs, arms and neck

Learning to work with the antagonistic muscle and primary muscles together

Learn self-care exercises for practitioners to work with ease, maintain strength, and cultivate calm and focus: best practices for good body mechanics and self care

Understanding energetics of massage and working with chakras, meridians, and holds

Understanding and addressing Ethical concerns in massage: focus on boundaries, professionalism, power differential, communication skills, and dual relationships

Understanding best business practices in massage: navigating financials, policy, and social media/advertising

Additional accommodations for clients with special needs: working in the side lying position, what does it mean to be “trauma informed”

Enhanced Client Awareness: Students will develop observation, listening, and palpation skills to better understand their clients. Assessment: Practical assessment and peer feedback.

Body Mechanics and Boundaries: Students will learn to maintain good body mechanics, establish boundaries, and effectively communicate with clients. Assessment: Visual assessment, self-reports, and peer feedback.

Customized Massage Techniques: Students will tailor massage based on client needs and requests. Assessment: Practical assessment and peer feedback.

Application of Esalen Principles: Students will apply Esalen Massage principles in providing a full-body massage. Assessment: Observation and peer feedback.

Incorporation of Verbal Clues: Students will integrate verbal cues and guidance into massage sessions. Assessment: Congruence of client and practitioner feedback.

Safe Integration of Stretches: Students will safely incorporate limb stretches and movement in sessions. Assessment: Observation, peer feedback, and instructor assessment.

Holistic Approach: Students will apply holistic and energetic concepts to massages. Assessment: Instructor observation and practical assessment.

The course employs various instructional methods, including observation, lectures, demonstrations, skeleton and chart utilization, followed by supervised practice. Instructors provide one-on-one guidance at the table, emphasizing experiential learning and Esalen Massage practice.

Esalen Massage Demonstration, Theory, and Practice: 64 hours

- Esalen Massage: 48 hours

- Passive Joint Movement: 5 hours

- Contraindications: 5 hours

- Special Needs Clients: 6 hours

Practitioner Development: 8 hours

- Sensory Awareness Practice: 3 hours

- Mindfulness Training: 5 hours

Science: 15 hours

- Anatomy and Physiology: 6 hours

- Pathology: 3 hours

- Kinesthetic Movement: 5 hours

Ethics: 3 hours

Business Practice: 3 hours

Psychological Aspects: 4 hours

Hands-on Assessment: 3 hours

Total Hours: 100 hours