Deep Bodywork® Training
Venue: Amertha Bali Villas, Bali, Indonesia
Dates: March 14–20, 2027 (7 days)
Program type: Fully residential
Faculty
Teachers: Rob Wilks
Teaching Assistants: Jennifer Haydu
Table Assistants: Phonik Angel
This program is taught in English. Indonesian translation is available.
Mandarin and Japanese translation may be arranged in advance for an additional fee.Note: Our professional translators provide seamless live translation. Rarely are our students adversely affected by translation.Program Overview
Led by Rob Wilks, this 6-day Deep Bodywork® training in Bali teaches certified massage and bodywork practitioners advanced deep tissue technique for the neck, shoulders, spine, and forearm/wrist, the areas clients complain about most. Held on the beachfront in Pemuteran at Amertha Bali Villas and Taman Sari, the program is built for working therapists who already have a bodywork foundation and want to add real depth, precision, and confidence to their hands-on practice.
Deep Bodywork® works with the body's deeper soft tissue layers, the places where tension and old patterns get "stuck" and stay unconscious until someone with skilled hands finds them. Slowly and deliberately opening these layers releases stored physical and energetic tension, supporting the body's own capacity to self-organize and heal.
For practitioners, this training is about mastering the skill and sensitivity required to work at that depth safely and effectively, whether you're in private practice or working in a spa setting.
This is a technical continuing education program for therapists who already have table experience and want to go further.
What Is Deep Bodywork®?
Who This Deep Bodywork Training Is For
Certified massage and bodywork practitioners (private practice or spa-based)
Therapists who want to confidently work with chronic pain in the shoulder, neck, and back
Practitioners who currently avoid the forearm and wrist because of the complexity and risk of "doing more harm"
Anyone building a specialization in deep tissue or chronic pain relief within their existing practice
Open to any modality background, provided you bring working massage fundamentals and hands-on client experience. This program builds on existing table skills.
What You'll Learn in This Advanced Deep Tissue Training
Focus areas:
Relieving chronic and acute pain in the back, and around the major joints of the shoulder and neck
Advanced deep tissue technique for the shoulder and forearm/wrist, the areas practitioners most want confidence with, especially given rising keyboard and screen-related strain
Learning to feel "soft tissue lesions" by hand, and understanding why this work needs to happen slowly to be effective, both physiologically and energetically
Recognizing and guiding clients through "therapeutic aggravation" — the symptom flare-up that can surface within 48 hours of a deep tissue session
Applied anatomy and function of the shoulder, arm, and hand, with direct teacher access for specific technical questions as they come up in practice sessions
Teachers are available throughout to answer questions specific to your own client cases alongside the group curriculum.
Why Bali?
The atmosphere and culture of Bali fit our intention to teach Esalen® Massage as a path toward healing in a way few other locations can match. In Balinese, the word for 'foreigner' translates as 'guest'; reflecting the warmth, openness, and beauty woven into every aspect of Balinese life. As guests during this time, we will visit local temples and ceremonies at full moon and Balinese holy days.
You will have at least 1.5 days free each week; time to practice, snorkel, visit the spa, rest, or swim. We encourage students to stay for days or weeks after the program ends to absorb this magical island: its tropical beauty, its grace, its world-class diving, and the extraordinary quality of stillness that Bali uniquely holds.
Venue
Our home for this program is Amertha Bali Villas, located in the quiet northwest corner of Bali, far from the busy tourist areas of Seminyak and Kuta.
Here, the pace of life slows. The horizon opens to the turquoise waters of the Bali Sea, with the distant outline of Java’s volcanoes visible at sunrise. This is a more traditional side of Bali, unhurried, spacious, and deeply connected to nature.
Pemuteran is known for its exceptional diving and snorkelling, with vibrant marine life just offshore. Nearby, the West Bali National Park offers protected jungle, wildlife, and coral reef ecosystems, while the surrounding village life provides a genuine experience of local Balinese culture.
Classes are held in the Shala, an open wooden-floored space with natural light, birdsong, and ocean breeze, decorated with silk hangings and equipped with tables, sound system, and movement props. Aquatic bodywork sessions take place in the pools.
Housing
Amertha Bali Villas
Beachfront resort set in lush tropical gardens on the shores of Pemuteran Bay.
Each villa has its shared pool, surrounded by koi ponds, outdoor terraces, and the sounds of the sea.
The Amertha property is grounded in the Balinese concept of Tri Hitas Karana, the harmonious relationship between Human and God, Human and Nature, and Human and Society; a philosophy that aligns deeply with the spirit of Esalen® Massage.
Taman Sari Bali Resort & Spa
Part of the same bay and operated within the same local hospitality network, Taman Sari offers a relaxed, garden-style setting with traditional Balinese architecture.
It provides a comfortable and welcoming environment while remaining closely connected to the main program location.
Participants staying here join all daily activities at Amertha, with a short walk along the beachfront as part of the daily rhythm.
We offer two accommodation options for this program, both located along the same beachfront in Pemuteran and connected by a short 5-minute walk on the beach.
Our main training activities are held at Amertha Bali Villas, where all classes take place. Participants staying at either property are fully part of the same program and community, with access to both locations throughout the training.
For those seeking greater privacy and comfort, Amertha offers spacious private villas with their own pools in a quiet beachfront setting. For those preferring a more flexible budget option, Taman Sari Bali Resort & Spa offers comfortable bungalow-style rooms and shared options just a short walk along the beach.
Food
Each day begins with a mid-morning brunch, freshly prepared and nourishing, served at the venue during the morning nutrition break. Fruit and light snacks are provided in the afternoon to keep you energised between sessions.
Five dinners per week are included. Saturday and Sunday dinners are on your own, giving you freedom to explore the local warungs and cafes along the beachfront, many within easy walking distance.
Once a week the group gathers for a shared dinner together, a valued part of our community life.
Vegetarian and vegan options are readily available, and dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
Pemuteran is approximately 3.5 hours from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), Bali. We are happy to help arrange ground transportation and suggest where to spend your first night.
We recommend sharing the journey with other students who have similar arrival times, we will help coordinate this. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry date.
A 30-day Visa on Arrival is available at the airport. We strongly recommend a 60-day e-Visa for flexibility. Contact our travel agent Ike for smooth, stress-free arrival.
We require that you purchase travel insurance for your journey to Bali. For more information please view Travel Info.
Getting to Pemuteran
Transportation
We are happy to help arrange ground transportation from the airport to Ubud or Seminyak, and assist you in deciding where to spend your first night or nights. The drive from the airport is quite interesting, with varied terrain, and is best enjoyed during daylight hours.
Please note that we do not include or organize flights; however, our Bali travel document offers helpful suggestions on airlines we recommend.
You may also share the cost with others who have the same flight or a similar pick-up time and are heading in the same direction, making the trip even more convenient and economical.
Our professional drivers will take excellent care of you throughout your journey. Each member of our driver team has extensive experience and a deep familiarity with the terrain along the route, ensuring a safe, smooth, and comfortable trip as you travel through Bali’s diverse landscapes. Let our experienced drivers handle the road so you can simply relax and enjoy the ride.
Meet your Faculty
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Rob Wilks - Teacher
Rob Wilks is a full-time bodywork practitioner and faculty member with the Healing Arts Department at the Esalen Institute.
He teaches all levels of Esalen® Massage and has shared this work internationally, including in Indonesia, China, and Italy. In addition to bodywork training, Rob has also led experiential leadership and education programs in the United States and Eastern Europe.
His teaching is grounded in practical experience, presence, and a deep respect for the relational nature of touch.
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Phonik Angel - Table Assistant
For more than twenty years, Phonik has practiced and taught Esalen® Massage with grace and devotion.
His presence is steady, his touch infused with courage and compassion. He carries the lineage of Esalen into Bali, blending East and West with artistry and heart.
Past Students Experience
Enrollment, Pricing & How to Apply
What’s Included
6-day Deep Bodywork® Training with Rob Wilks
Faculty instruction and table assistance throughout
Accommodation for the full program
Daily mid-morning meal, plus welcome dinner, farewell dinner, and two additional dinners
Full use of Taman Sari and Amertha property
What’s Not Included
International flights to Bali
Private transportation to Pemuteran (available on request)
Visa fees (if applicable)
Travel insurance (required)
How to Apply
Click here to complete the application form and apply
Upon acceptance, you formally register
Choose your room type (this determines your price)
Download Enrollment Agreement here, sign, and send it back to us via email at contact@movingventures.org
Submit payment (deposit or full amount) with your registration
We confirm, reserve your room, and send periodic updates
Pricing & Payments
These Early bird prices valid until December 15, 2026
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Deposit ($1,000)
If you would like to reserve your space and pay the remaining balance up to 60 days before the start of this program.
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Taman Sari - Shared Studio Room ($1,995)
Twin Bed, air-conditioned garden cottages with open-sky showers and a terrace overlooking tropical lawns. Steps from the beach and Biorock reef. Simple, serene, and full of character.
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Taman Sari - Private Studio Room ($2,795)
Your own air-conditioned cottage with open-sky garden shower, private terrace and views across the lawn to the sea. A peaceful retreat close to the reef and Biorock project.
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Taman Sari - Shared Bungalow ($2,095)
Twin Bed, renovated bungalow with beachside access, open-air garden bathroom, and views of the sea. Individually styled with Balinese accents — a step up in space and atmosphere.
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Taman Sari - Private Bungalow ($2,995)
A renovated beachside bungalow with a private open-air garden bath, Balinese carved interiors, and near-direct access to the beach. Ideal for couples or those wanting extra comfort.
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Amertha - Shared Master Suite ($2,595)
Twin bed, set within a private villa compound on Pemuteran Bay, this suite features a daybed, rainfall shower, private balcony and access to your own pool. Shared with one other student.
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Amertha - Private Master Suite ($3,975)
An entire master suite within a private beachfront villa, shared pool, lush garden, rainfall shower, daybed, and panoramic views of Pemuteran Bay and hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime.
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Yes. This training builds advanced deep tissue skills on top of an existing bodywork certification.
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Primarily the back, shoulder, neck, and forearm/wrist, the areas most associated with chronic pain and the areas practitioners are often most hesitant to work with directly.
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Yes. Deep tissue work can cause a temporary flare-up of symptoms in the 48 hours following a session. Part of this training is learning to recognize this response and guide clients through it appropriately.
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Amertha Bali Villas and Taman Sari, in Pemuteran, on Bali's northwest coast, a quiet beachfront setting known for diving and snorkeling.
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Private transportation to Pemuteran can be arranged for $90, and shared transportation from Seminyak or Ubud is coordinated on arrival day.
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A Visa on Arrival covers stays of 30 days or less. Travel insurance is required for all participants.
