Touching Essence™ Retreat
Touch, Scent, Sound, Song, Mantra, and Prayer
Ellen Watson
with guest teachers Ashley Loren and Zoe Zhao
November, 2026
Bali - Indonesia
Touching Essence
Touching Essence™ is a multicultural, multisensory neo-shamanic approach to healing through touch. It is a moving meditation practice grounded in awareness, presence, breath, contact, quality of touch, and assisted joint articulation. Touching Essence invites us to become transformational healing artists as we practice embodied presence, tone and tune our voices for healing both self and other.
Touching Essence combines the energetics of our 8 chakra map, with touching the skin, our largest organ, along with the deeper layers of fascia, muscle, bone, and organs.
Touching Essence traverses the body from the tips of the toes and soles of the feet, encircling ankles and sculpting the contours of the legs. The practitioner deepens pressure in the muscles, moving bones to articulate joints. The flow continues upward over the torso, encircling the shoulder, moving onward to the upper arm, lower arm, and ending with a pause at the palm and fingers. Variations on this theme continue, adding appropriate depth in the muscles and fascia.
Complete sessions also include focus on the head and neck, face, abdomen, lower back, and shoulder girdle, woven together with hands that follow the body's natural contours.
Sounding Practice
This workshop includes merging the sense of sound with sense of touch, engaging the vagus nerve, the polyvagal system, and the entire nervous system. Sounding may involve the use of song, mantras, and prayer.
The primary focus is using the voice as an instrument for healing. We begin by sounding the familiar “Om,” evolving into an extended ‘Ooohhhhhhh, aahhhhhhh, uummmmm.’ A classic recording of monks chanting Om, “The Eternal Om,” inspires participants to find their own eternal Om, synchronizing sound with inhalation and exhalation. Repetition is key.
We explore humming as a self-healing tool. According to Swami Parmarth Nikitan Saraswati, Rajastan, India, humming represents the deepest meditation practice. The workshop also includes traditional mantras and chants from diverse global cultures and provides space for creating personal mantras.
Song
We practice singing songs that massage the body and soul, open the mind, and free the spirit. Singing is elongated speech, and if one can talk, they can sing. Overcoming the fear of singing is encouraged through daily practice.
Prayer
Touching Essence integrates prayers of invocation, benediction, gratitude, petition, penitence, and consolation; both silent and audible. Mantras are considered sung prayers, connecting voice and intention.
Scent, Smell and Aroma
Essential oils, chosen for their chemical properties rather than just scent, support balancing energies related to the chakra system. A trained aromatherapist guides the selection and application of oils, focusing on energetic la and chemistry in addition to sensory preference. Touching Essence recommends 34 oils, specifically chosen for the 8 chakras, along with 10 ‘must haves’.
In this program, we will ‘keep it simple’ using 1 oil for each chakra, along with 4 of our ‘must haves’. Upon registration we will send a list of the 12 oils; you may bring these yourself, or use our oils in the classroom.
If you want to purchase our organic oils, we offer them at friendly prices and either deliver to you in Bali or ship prior to your departure for Bali. Send a message to Ellen: ellen@movingventures.org or What’s App: +1 831 212 1639.
This Program perfect for
Everyone!! Whether for personal development, continuing education, or professional training, this healing and somatic arts program will enhance your life. If you are new, a novice, perfect. A great way to begin. If you are a seasoned professional, this continuing education program will add to your likely more clinical and traditional training in massage and bodywork. The ‘live’ program includes 150 hours of classroom time offered during a 22 day residential or commuter training. You will receive a certificate of attendance. If you want to certify as a Touching Essence Healing Artist, you will want to follow the post graduate requirements, listed below.
Those without previous training will want to register for the entire 200 hour training. The training includes 150 classroom hours, ‘in person’; post graduate hours include 50 hours completed at your home site. You will give 30 Touching Essence Sessions, to friends and family members, documenting them in writing. Your receiver will also fill in a feedback sheet.
Our Goal
Give and receive an effective, enjoyable and transformative Touching Essence session. Cultivate deep listening skills, personal presence, awareness and attentiveness. Develop your vocal skills through breath and sound exercises, craft mantra based on client’s desired outcomes. Enhance Awareness of your 8 Sensing Centers. Use our specifically chosen essential oils in support of desired outcomes. Learn the basics of Gestalt Communication Practice. Develop and practice appropriate professional boundaries. Fall in love with this Touching Essence as a practice. Open your heart, engage your breath and free your spirit.
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.
Teacher Profiles
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Ellen Watson
Celebrates her 40th year in the staff and faculty of the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, California, where she studies, practices and teaches various ways of meditative practice, massage and movement. Ellen is a teacher of Esalen® Massage & Bodywork, 5Rhythms by Gabrielle Roth, The Grof Legacy Project: Grof Holotropic Breathwork, Vibrance® Touching Essence ™. From 1984 to 2003, Ellen developed and administered the Movement Arts Program in Esalen. In 1996 she founded MovingVentures (www.movingventures.org), which offers workshops, retreats and training courses at Esalen, in Bali, China, Europe, and Mexico. Visit:www.TheVibranceCollective.com, to learn more about Vibrance.
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Guest Teacher Profiles
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Zoe Zhao
Zhao Zishan, originally from Wuhan and currently residing in Bali/New Zealand, began exploring the mind and body through yoga practice with her mother.
She graduated from the University of Nice, France, with a degree in perfumery and flavoring in 2018, and also holds certifications in Germanic and English-type aromatherapy.
In February 2020, she completed a 175-hour Esalen Massage certification course in Bali and received her professional certification in 2022 to work as an Esalen Massage therapist.
In 2023-2024, she served as an assistant and Chinese translator for Esalen Massage certification courses in Bali and initiated courses combining aromatherapy with massage and retreats.
Engaging in the massage industry has led her to realize the importance of touch as an essential component of human connection, with massage serving as a conduit for essential human interaction. This realization inspired her to become an Esalen Massage teacher, dedicated to providing more people the opportunity to explore and experience the beauty of tactile essence.
In February 2025, she are attend Esalen Massage instructor training at the Esalen Institute in the United States and begin teaching and promoting introductory Esalen Massage courses.
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Ashley Loren
Sample Daily Schedule:
Monday, Oct 6 :
14:00 Check in
16:30 - 18:00 Welcoming Circle, Sound & Song
18:00 - 20:00 Sunset Dinner
Tuesday, Oct 7 :
7:00-9:00 Tuning Up & Tuning In
Nutritious & Delicious Food
10:30 -13:00 The 8 Chakras, Sounds & Essential Oils
15:30-18:00 Touching Essence:
The Energetics, The Skin, Touching & Moving Bodies
18:30 - 20:30 Dinner
Wednesday, Oct 8 : 7:00-9:00 Aquatic Bodywork
9:00-10:30 Nourishment
10:30 -13:00 Scent, Sound, Song, & Touch
15:30-18:00 Practice
18:30 Dinner
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 Option
Pricing & Payment
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Private Courtyard Villa
( Full price $ 3,150 )
Early Bird until August 15, 2025 - $ 2,850
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.
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Shared Courtyard Villa
(Full price $ 2,550)
Early Bird until August 15, 2025 - $ 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.
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 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 of in full) for the room choice you made.
7. We will send you a confirmation of payment, enter you onto 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
Preparation
This guide serves as a framework for preparing for the Touching Essence workshop, emphasizing the synergy of touch, sound, song, prayer, and smell in holistic healing.
Read/Listen: A Natural History of the Senses by Diane Ackerman
Explore: Anodea Judith’s work on the Chakra System (books, YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XcF_EVOOdk
Practice: Learn simple heart-opening songs, mantras, and chants. Use the provided recordings to practice and integrate these into your routine. Upon registration, I will send you both the recorded mantras and our song and mantra document.
Swami Saraswati: A beloved Indian teacher (guru) and servant, created the International Yoga Festival, held annually in Rajasthan, India. He states, “Humming is the deepest meditation we can practice.” https://www.facebook.com/ParmarthNiketan/reels/