Esalen® Massage

From Big Sur, ca to Asheville, nc

Created at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, Esalen Massage was designed to give the client a sense of deep relaxation and integration of body, mind, and spirit.  Each massage is customized to meet your personal needs in the moment. 

When receiving an Esalen Massage you can expect to receive long flowing strokes that travel from the top of your body all the way down, and back up again.  The pressure will vary as your body relaxes and opens to the touch, but will always be full handed and very contactful.  The practitioner moves slowly, listening to your body’s response to the touch.  

Once your muscles begin to warm up and relax, the practitioner will begin to use techniques to move into those deeper muscles of the body, and help to bring your awareness to tension and holding patterns.  A variety of techniques may be used such as rocking, passive joint movement, stretching, deep tissue, acupressure, cranialsacral therapy, or energy work.  The intention of the massage practitioner is to continue to invite and coax the body into a deeper state of relaxation, more breath, and more awareness.

*Esalen is the registered mark of Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California, used by permission.

$125

60 MIN mASSAGE

$150

75 MIN mASSAGE

$175

90 MIN mASSAGE

$230

2 HOUR MASSAGE

Esalen Massage Benefits

The goal of Esalen massage is to focus on the person as a whole, harmonizing body, mind and spirit. Physical contact is an important necessity for the body, as fundamental as nutrition and water. Therapeutic touch contributes to greater health and well-being. Key benefits of massage include: 

• Relaxation and Stress Reduction– The long flowing strokes in an Esalen massage coax your nervous system into a deep state of relaxation which allows the muscles to let go, the breath to deepen and the mind to get quiet.

• Awareness – Once the mind gently shifts from thinking to being in the present moment we are able to focus attention on areas in the body where you may be holding tension.

• Pain Relief - In your massage we will address any areas of concern using a variety of techniques to increase circulation, range of motion, flexibility and reduce pain.

• Peace of Mind – Your increased bodymind awareness through an Esalen massage can transform daily tension holding patterns.

The History of Esalen Massage

This style of massage grew out of the work of Charolette Selver who taught sensory awareness, and many of the awareness practices being explored at the Esalen Institute in the 1960′s through today.  Esalen Massage is known for the long flowing strokes, it’s slow pace, the way the practitioner moves and rocks the the body to create a feeling of full body relaxation.  Over the past 50 years many founders of  bodyworker modalities; Ida Rolf, Milton Trager, Moshe Feldenkrais, have taught or lived at the Esalen Institute and the best of their philosophies and techniques of working with the body are a culmination of  what we call Esalen Massage.  During an Esalen massage, we approach the body as a whole and seeks to create an environment for each individual to relax into a deep healing, and nurturing space.  It is a beautiful dance; a relationship that leaves the giver feeling as good as the receiver.  

Massage & CE Workshops