Esalen® Massage & Bodywork
175-Hour Training
"Developed over the last 50 years at Esalen Institute, Esalen Massage engages both giver and receiver to deepen awareness and presence."
Teachers: Ellen Watson & Rob Wilks
Teaching Assistants: Rie Kuwahara, Jingni Wang, Malachi Stone & Whitney Bell
Table Assistance: Phonik Angel & Ngurah Sudana
Date: February 5 - March 3, 2023
Location: Mimpi Resort, Menjangan, Bali, Indonesia
Program Information
People from all over the world come to Big Sur to learn this healing art, and now, among the flowering jungles and lotus laden ponds of Bali, we offer a 26-day Basic Certification in Esalen® Massage. This training will provide you with in-depth experience and practice in basic Esalen® Massage techniques, enabling you to give a professional full-body massage upon completion of the course. Click the links to read more about Ellen Watson and Esalen® massage here.
Your study of massage will be complemented by daily meditation, chanting, yoga, chi gong, conscious dance, and other moving meditation practices. You will experience in your own body the qualities of aliveness and flowing presence central to this method. The process of self-exploration is a key element, grounding this practice in the experience of your own body, thereby transforming mere technique into a true healing art. The atmosphere and culture of Bali fit well with our intention to teach this method as a path toward healing. The Balinese word for foreigner translates as 'guest', this simple expression conveying the warmth, openness, and beauty which the Balinese embody in every aspect of their lives. As guests of the Balinese during this time, we will have our weekends free to explore the high mountains and hidden beaches of this magical island, absorbing both its tropical beauty and the grace of its people.
Learning the art of Esalen® Massage is an experience that often changes lives. Whether you intend to create a new career path, deepen your knowledge of bodywork, or spend time healing yourself through touch, our time together is sure to stay with you for years to come. Having taught certification courses in Bali for a number of years, we notice the lasting power of these memories - for some, as a healing recollection of new friendships made in the extraordinary Balinese landscape; for others, a time of self-exploration and transformation.
Whatever your intention, join us for this four week journey!
Requirements: This training is open to anyone interested in the Healing Arts!
Professional Accreditation: NTBCMB approved provider, CE's for bodyworkers, nurses, Yoga Teachers, EMBA approved.
Travel Tips: You will need your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry, and a Visa if you plan to stay in Bali for longer than 30 days. For a 30-day stay or less, you can get the standard "Visa on arrival" when you land in Bali.
During the Pandemic entry requirements have changed regularly; stay up to date with both visa and entry requirements. At the moment, VOA, costs 35.00 USD. An e-visa, good for 6 months, requires departing/returning every 60 days; a price value and simple to accomplish.
MV requires travel insurance for your journey to Bali. For more information please view Travel Info.
Food: Food for this month includes a delicious and nutritious mid morning brunch, packed with local fresh fruit, smoothie making goodies, steamed veggies, local eggs along with seasonal offerings. Each evening we eat a lighter meal at 6:30 or 7:00; some at Mimpi’s Sunset Restaurant; others at Pak Chandra’s Warung.
You can visit the local market to buy fruit and can bring with you any snacks you want to have in your room. (We encourage eating lightly at night, especially those that include supervised evening practice)
Want to Register?
If you would like to participate in the Esalen Massage & Bodywork Training just fill in the info below and we'll get in touch as soon as possible!
Places are limited so we advise registering interest at your earliest convenience.
Housing: Mimpi's patio rooms are home to most of our students. The rooms are spacious, with A/C, refrigerators, either queen/king or twin beds, telephone, lovely bathrooms, and are close to the communal hot springs pools, and the two large swimming pools. Most students elect to stay in shared patio rooms. For single housing, or upgrading options to CourtYard Villa, see pricing below.
Transportation: We do not include or organize flights. You may contact us to request private transportation to Mimpi at $75. Alternatively you can inquire about shared transportation. Shared cars will go from Seminyak and Ubud to Mimpi on arrival day with departure at 10am from a local meeting place. Shared transportation will cost $20 per person.
Sample Daily Schedule
Class 7:00-8:30
Nutrition break. 8:30-9:45
Class 9:45 - 13:00
Afternoon Break (no meal provided by MV)
Class 16:00-18:30
Dinner
We provide two meals every day.
This program includes a minimum of 175 credit hours. Students receive additional hours from completing certain out of class assignments. Most weeks include 5-6 classroom days, followed by one or two days off; not all days off are on the weekend. These schedules change as group needs change, and to allow for service trips to local orphanages and clinics in Ubud, snorkeling and diving as well as time for kayaking and other activities.
Teacher
Ellen Watson
Ellen Watson, a 40 year member of Esalen Institute's community, lived on campus in Big Sur, while she healed herself, worked in the garden, as a chef in the kitchen, and studied extensively for 10 years. Ellen offers retreats and trainings globally in the fields of Mindfulness Practices which include Esalen®Massage & Bodywork, Touching Essence™, Vibrance™ Dance & Song, The 5Rhythms®, Holotropic™Breathwork, Vibrance Pranayama and Breathwork. Ellen’s work has been deeply influenced her work with plant medicines, empathogens and entheogens, while she apprenticed with Terence McKenna and Stanislav Grof.
Rob Wilks
Rob Wilks is a full-time bodywork practitioner and yoga teacher at Esalen. He specializes in Deep Bodywork®. He has taught experiential leadership education in the U.S. and Eastern Europe.
Testimonial
Venue & Accommodation
Mimpi Resort, Menjangan, Bali
On the North-West coast of Bali in the village of Banyuwedang, Mimpi looks out towards the Menjangan Island. The area is notorious as a hot-spot for diving and snorkelling and just a little further down the coast a regular dolphin hangout.
Mimpi's most special feature is its waters, as the resort is built across land with several natural hot springs. The careful architecture and landscaping makes for several shared natural hot spring pools across the 3 hectares of land. Inevitably the water and it's high mineral content is totally refreshing, rejuvenating and holds it's own healing qualities. For us the pools are perfect for aquatic bodywork, where we dance in the water to feel true fluidity.
Classes take place in the Wantilan. A large space with wooden floors, the sounds of birds and some gentle breezes. We decorate the wantilan with beautiful silk hangings and bring a range of equipment from musical instruments, to dancing scarves, yoga mats, yoga balls and of course an excellent sound system!
Patio Room
Mimpi's standard room is the patio. Stylishly finished and available with twin or double beds these rooms are home for most of our students through programs and regularly receive excellent feedback.
The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, making them easy to share with another guest whilst maintaing plenty of personal space.
Courtyard Villa
The Courtyard Villa is a pleasant and affordable upgrade to the patio room. With it's own garden and it's own private hot spring tub, the CY Villa is a taste of luxury.
The CYV also has an additional mezzanine that is perfect for families with children or private space for meditation.
A further addition is the private garden terrace and outdoor seating area making this ideal for sitting in the open air sunshine whilst keeping some peaceful solitude, alone or with your partner. If booking a shared space in this room category, you must book with a partner.
Pricing & Accommodation Options
-
Shared Patio Room ($ 6,195)
Twin patio rooms are spacious and comfortable to stay with two people. We will aim to pair you with someone most compatible based on your registration form.
(super early bird price for registration with payment in full, before October 31, 2022)
-
Private Patio Room ($ 6,795)
If you prefer a room to yourself and a large double bed this comes at a reasonable additional cost.
(super early bird price for registration with payment in full, before October 31, 2022)
-
Shared Courtyard Villa ($ 7,495)
Shared Villas must be booked with 2 people together at the same time. A CY villa features twin/double bed with a mezzanine, private garden area and tub which may be filled with hot spring water.
(super early bird price for registration with payment in full, before October 31, 2022)
-
Private Courtyard Villa ($ 8,095)
For a taste of luxury, enjoy a CY Villa to yourself for maximum comfort and privacy. Enjoy your own spacious area with garden and hot spring bath for total relaxation.
(super early bird price for registration with payment in full, before October 31, 2022)
*you will be redirected to MovingVentures for payment
Prices include: Food includes daily delicious, nutrituous brunch and dinner, training manual, all materials/equipment, gift bag and shared airport transfers.
Super Early-Bird: We like to get our sign-ups nice and early! $150 off full price with deposit/full payment made before October 31, 2022.
Tuition Only ($ 5,295)
If you prefer to stay off-site, there are some alternative options available as you can find on Agoda or similar Accommodation Search websites. Please note that it will be necessary to stay as close as possible as class can begin very early. With this option we are not responsible for accommodation quality standards as with our on-site packages above. Tuition price includes all tuition costs, off-site entrance fee to Mimpi Resort & Meals.
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 please click the link below.
Please check latest Covid-19 related travel requirements and our helpful travel info here: