Fluidity: From Supine and Sidelying with Aquatic Bodywork
Specialized Esalen Massage
February 28 - March 5, 2026
Ellen Watson and JingNi Wang
Phonik Angel and Ngurah Sudana
Mimpi Menjangan Hot Springs Resort
Bali, Indonesia
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Join skilled practitioners and teachers Ellen Watson, JingNi Wang, along with our Balinese teachers in training,Phonik Angel, and Ngurah Sudana for a deeply immersive experience in Specialized Esalen® Massage. We blend supine-to-sidelying techniques with the fluid grace of aquatic bodywork in the healing waters of Mimpi Menjangan Hot Springs. Both Ngurah and Phonik are certified practitioners of aquatic bodywork.
As your massage practice deepens we are called to listen with all of our senses and become more present to what our clients' bodies are telling us, so we can address holding patterns caused by daily stress, chronic tension, and injury. You will be introduced to a variety of techniques and approaches to address the individual needs of your clients with a focus on common areas of complaint, such as the shoulders, neck and lower back. We will use the practice of Esalen massage to deepen our own self awareness, as we listen and connect with our clients.
Each day combines supine and sidelying table massage practice with sunrise aquatic sessions, set against the tranquil backdrop of Bali's northwest coast.
This 6-day retreat invites both practitioners and those seeking rejuvenation into a sanctuary of touch, movement, and transformation.
Open to everybody and to bodyworkers of all levels, this training emphasizes precision, presence, and deep listening—in and out of the water.
Learning Objectives:
How to work with your client's whole body and address specific needs in an effective way.
How to safely and effectively use passive joint movement, stretches, and range of motion
How to work effortless so that you walk away from your sessions feeling energized and relaxed
How to use your body with optimal alignment and good body mechanics
How to assess what your client needs and working at the perfect depth
How to use massage as a self awareness practice so that you can maintain health and longevity in your work.... and more!
Learn centering, grounding, movement, and mindfulness practices necessary to develop presence and focus for giving an introductory level Esalen Massage.
Identify the philosophy, and foundational massage approaches necessary to give a classical Esalen Massage.
Learn to give an Esalen massage Long stroke, and transitional strokes in the supine position.
Learn proper hygiene practices for working with the body, massage table set up, body mechanics, and draping necessary in the sidelying position.
Identify the structures of the spine, scapula, sacrum, and ilium.
Deepen your palpation skills of the musculature of the back through the use of various “tools” of the hands.
Create rhythm, tempo, and variation through oscillations and enhanced use of the long stroke.
Identify self-care practices to build awareness within your massage practice.
Learn to do a thorough intake and assessment of their client
Learn the basic anatomy of the arms and shoulders
Learn transitional strokes to move around the body
Who Is This For?
Bodyworkers, massage therapists, yoga teachers, and somatic practitioners
Seekers of personal growth and deeper body awareness
Anyone called to learn the art of Esalen touch in a nourishing retreat setting
No previous Esalen® Massage experience required
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. We highly recommend getting a 60 day e visa, with the help of our ace agent, Ike. This makes your arrival and departure smooth, lines short and no stress to renew your VOA.
We require that you purchase travel insurance for your journey to Bali. For more information please viewTravel Info.
Food
We provide Half-board meal plan includes a delicious and nutritious morning breakfast packed with local fresh fruit, smoothie making goodies, steamed veggies, local eggs along with seasonal offerings. During breakfast time, you'll receive a takeaway bento box for your second meal of the day.
For dinner, you're welcome to dine at Mimpi Resto with their à la carte menu or set menu options, or explore the local warungs (cafe) in the area.
We provide one group dinner weekly, either at Mimpi’s waterside Resto, or at The Dynasty, seaside restaurant, or other ambient locations close by.
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 those with discretionary budget, we recommend the Courtyard Villa, either private or shared, with it’s own private hot springs soaking tub within the walls.
For single housing, or upgrading options to CourtYard Villa, see pricing below.
Transportation
We are happy to help arrange ground transportation from the airport to Ubud or Seminyak, and help you decide where to spend your first night or nights. The drive from the airport is quite interesting, varied terrain, and better enjoyed in the daylight hours.
We do not include or organize flights; our Bali travel document has suggestions regarding airlines we recommend.
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.
Meet your Leader
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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™ Expressive Arts, The 5Rhythms®, Tue Grof Legacy Project, featuring Groff Circled Holotropic Breathwork, Ellen’s work has been deeply influenced by her work with plant medicines, empathogens and entheogens, while she apprenticed with Terence McKenna and Stanislav Grof. Visit: www.TheGrofLegacyProject.org :www.TheVibranceCollective.com, to learn more about Grof and Vibrance.
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JIngNi Wang
Jingni Wang is an Esalen® Massage practitioner and teacher from China, with a background in yoga and expressive arts. Her work blends touch, movement, and presence, opening pathways for healing and integration of body, mind, and spirit. She teaches within the Esalen® network both in China and internationally, bringing warmth, depth, and artistry to her practice.
Venue and Accommodation
Mimpi Resort, Menjangan Bali
On the North-West coast of Bali in the village of Banyuwedang, Mimpi looks out towards 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 its 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 maintaining plenty of personal space.
The Courtyard Villa
The Courtyard Villa is a pleasant and affordable upgrade to the patio room. With its own garden and its 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.
How To Apply
1. Click Here to fill in the application form.
2. Return the application form to us.
3. Upon acceptance to the program, you then formally register.
4. Registration begins with the choice of room, which determines the price you pay.
5. You also fill in and sign the enrollment agreement.
6. Submit the registration and enrollment agreement to us, along with payment (either deposit or in full) for the room choice you made.
7. We will send you a confirmation of payment, enter you into the roster, reserve your room, and send you periodic updates.
ENROLLMENT AGREEMENT
Once you have submitted your application and been accepted, you need to download the enrollment agreement down below, read it carefully, sign it, and send it back to us via email at contact@movingventures.org
Pricing & Payments
Prices include: Food includes daily delicious food, training manual, all materials/equipment, and gift bag.
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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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Shared Patio Room ($2,250)
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.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition & Half-board Meal)
Early Bird until November 15, 2025 $2,000 -
Private Patio Room ($2,750)
If you prefer a room to yourself and a large double bed this comes at a reasonable additional cost.
All Inclusive (Full use of property, Tuition & Half-board Meal)
Early Bird until November 15, 2025 $2,500
