The Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California

Just recently a close relative, who was a former Guest Faculty Lecturer at Esalen Institute informed me she applied and was approved for a four Weeks Retreat, Lecture and Vacation (LEEP) at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. For details and cost of the Live, Extended, Education Program (LEEP) read the site as follows:

https://www.esalen.org/workshops/rebuild-and-expand-trust-in-challenging-times-with-embodiment-practices-of-yoga-dance-and-sound-meditation 

I have heard of this place before, but did not really know the history and details of this world famous institute.https://www.visitcalifornia.com/uk/attraction/esalen-institute

So I did some search and here's a summary from Wikipedia. For complete details visit the link below: 

The Esalen Institute, commonly called Esalen, is a non-profit American retreat center and intentional community in Big Sur, California, which focuses on humanistic alternative education. The institute played a key role in the Human Potential Movement beginning in the 1960s. Its innovative use of encounter groups, a focus on the mind-body connection, and their ongoing experimentation in personal awareness introduced many ideas that later became mainstream.

Esalen was founded by Stanford graduates Michael Murphy and Dick Price in 1962. Their intention was to support alternative methods for exploring human consciousness, what Aldous Huxley described as "human potentialities". Over the next few years, Esalen became the center of practices and beliefs that make up the New Age movement, from Eastern religions/philosophy, to alternative medicine and mind-body interventions, to Gestalt Practice.

Price ran the institute until he was killed in a hiking accident in 1985. In 2012, the board hired professional executives to help raise money and keep the institute profitable. Until 2016, Esalen offered over 500 workshops yearly in areas including personal growth, meditation, massage, Gestalt Practice, yoga, psychology, ecology, spirituality, and organic food. In 2016, about 15,000 people attended its workshops.

In February 2017, the institute was cut off when Highway 1 was closed by a mud slide on either side of the hot springs. It closed its doors, evacuated guests via helicopter, and was forced to lay off 90% of its staff through at least July, when they reopened with limited workshop offerings. It also decided to revamp its offerings to include topics more relevant to a younger generation.

As of July 2017, due to the limited access resulting from the road closures, the hot springs are only open to Esalen guests.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esalen_Institute 

Currently, my close relative that prompted me to write this article teaches
 

Kundalini Yoga & Sound Bath Gongs and Bowls at Summer Moon Yoga Sacramento and had worked as a Certified Grief Yoga Teacher since March 2020

From the visit California Ad:

 

An Oceanside Temple of Healing in Big Sur- More a retreat centre than a decadent spa, the storied Esalen Institute, perched above the rugged oceanside bluffs of Big Sur, calls to visitors looking for an escape from the everyday world. Esalen’s spiritual offerings include workshops,  in everything from yoga to meditation to hypnosis. 

 

Visitors come from near and far seeking a soak in the natural hot springs on this 120-acre property, which have been flowing through the mountains here for over 6,000 years. 

 

How much is a retreat at Esalen?

 

Weekend workshops start at $405 per person, which includes the course, food and sleeping in a communal area in a sleeping bag. A private room for a couple is $730 per person. Seven-day workshops start at $900 and cost $1,700 per person for a couple in a private room. For updates and current rates call or visit on line.

Register for your Esalen workshop online, or by phone:

1. Online: Fill out the registration form.
2. Phone: Call us at 831-667-3000. We're here from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday.