Upcoming Massage Courses
Continuing Education (NCBTMB approved) for massage therapists
Join my email list to learn about new and upcoming classes as they are scheduled.
Esalen® Massage, developed at the Esalen Institute over the last 60 years, is known for its long, flowing strokes, slow rhythmic movements, and whole body focus. Esalen Massage is a touch based awareness practice. In introductory courses we will explore the Esalen approach to massage, how to effectively apply the integrative long strokes, and the techniques and methods that make up its foundation. Quality of touch, presence and self care are at the heart of this work.
100 Hour
Esalen® Massage Professional Training
McKinnon Body Therapy Center
Oakland, CA
Nov 13-16, 21-23,
Dec 5-7, 12-14
(Four weekends)
with Jessica Fagan
and Patrick Stockstill
Tuition: $2365
for LMTs and CMTs
Does not include room or board
CE hours for massage therapists (NCBTMB approved)
175 Hour
Esalen® Massage Certification
Ellen Watson and Patrick Stockstill
with teaching assistants
Bali, Indonesia
February 1-28, 2026
Residential
price varies
starting at $6,950
Housing and two meals per day included in cost
Taught in English with translation
Open to beginners and LMTs
CE hours for massage therapists (NCBTMB approved)
Esalen® Massage Global Village
CE classes with Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association Teachers
21 hour Introductory course
also available
Kiental Valley, Switzerland
July 8-12, 2026
$900 early registration (Jan 1 - Feb 28)
$1025 regular (March 1)
Room and board price varies - from roughly $150/day to $235/day
Taught in English
CE hours for massage therapists (NCBTMB approved)
100 Hour
Esalen® Massage Professional Training
Doe Bay Resort and Retreat
Orcas Island, WA
September 15-22 (part 1)
October 20-27 (part 2)
with Patrick Stockstill
and co-leader TBA
Tuition: TBA
for LMTs and CMTs
Room and partial board options
CE hours for massage therapists (NCBTMB approved)
175 Hour
Esalen® Massage Certification
Ellen Watson, Patrick Stockstill
and Jingni Wang
Shanghai, China
April - October, 2026
(3 modules)
Price Varies
Does not include room or board
Taught in Chinese and in English with Chinese translation
Open to beginners and LMTs
CE hours for massage therapists (NCBTMB approved)
Technique
Esalen Massage is characterized by long, flowing, full-body strokes, mixed with passive movements, stretches, rocking, and other techniques aimed to relax and soothe the neuromuscular system and invite increased awareness.
Presence based touch
Deeply influenced by Charlotte Selver's Sensory Awareness practice, Esalen Massage is a method of awakening the senses. Recipient and practitioner can experience greater ease and alignment in their bodies with gentle but solid contact.
Intuition and Creativity
After exploring the basic techniques of Esalen Massage, practitioners in longer courses are supported and encouraged to drop the notion of working from a sequence, instead following their inner compass and tuning in to the feedback loop with their partner.
What to Expect in an Esalen Massage Training
Esalen Massage classes are not like most massage courses! We do teach massage techniques and relevant anatomy. We also emphasize ways to develop greater embodied presence and self awareness. Fundamental to your success in learning Esalen Massage is your ability to be present, to support presence in your clients, and to offer skillful touch with clear intention.
We will explore presence with some of the following methods, depending on the skills of the co-leaders: meditation practice, conscious dance, qi gong, yoga, singing or vocal toning, communication practice, Gestalt awareness in the tradition of Esalen co-founder Dick Price, and sensory awareness in the tradition of Charlotte Selver. These activities are intentional, integrative lessons in the physical and emotional anatomy of being fully human.
Shorter, introductory courses include brief, relevant embodiment practices. Certification (100+ hour) programs generally include longer daily embodiment practices. Depending on the length of the course and the venue, some time may be spent outdoors, in pools or hot springs, or in optional off-site cultural experiences.
Consent and safety are integral parts of Esalen Massage. Esalen Massage courses always include draping in compliance with local laws and the comfort of the receiver.
To organize an Esalen Massage workshop or certification in your area, start here.
Previous Esalen Massage Workshops
Esalen® Massage 175 Hour Practitioner Training | March, 2025, Bali Indonesia
Esalen® Massage 100-hour Professional Training | September-October 2024, Oakland, CA
Esalen® Massage 100-hour Professional Training (assisted) | February-March 2023, Oakland, CA
Esalen® Massage 100-hour Professional Training (assisted) | March and May, 2023, Hot Springs, NC
Esalen® Massage 100-hour Professional Training (assisted) | January, 2024, Esalen Institute, Big Sur CA
Esalen® Massage Brief Introduction | 3 hours, March 2024, Bellingham WA (North Cascade Massage Connection)
Esalen® Massage and Meditation | 26 Hours, October 2025, Big Sur CA (Esalen Institute)
Advanced Esalen® Massage | 21 Hours, October 2025, Asheville NC
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 12 Hours, September 2025, Asheville NC
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 12 Hours, May 2025, Bellingham WA
Esalen® Massage for Couples and Friends | 26 Hours, November 2024, Big Sur CA (Esalen Institute)
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 12 Hours, June 2024, Orcas Island WA
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 8 hours, June 2023, Seattle WA
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 8 hours, April 2023, Bellingham, WA
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 10 hours, November 2022, Oakland, CA
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 12 hours, March 2022, Orcas Island, WA
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 12 hours, January 2020, Oakland, CA
Intro to Esalen® Massage | 8 hours, July 2019, Berkeley, CA
Intro to Esalen® Massage for Esalen Work Scholars | 4 hours, September 2019, Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA