Esalen Institute
Meditation Room

Work Study Program

The Work Study Program is a 28-day program for those interested in an intense involvement with the Esalen environment. A work and service oriented program, it is emotionally and physically challenging, and only rarely is it restful. Participants work 32 hours per week in one of Esalen’s departments and participate in that department’s program. Group meets 4-5 evenings per week.

If you are interested in a program that is listed as full, do apply. Full means that there are no more spaces for people from the outside. We save spaces for the people already here and two weeks before the program starts they claim their spots. Often there are more spots than people staying and then the wait listed people are called. You often have a good chance of getting in off the wait list.

Selection of work scholars is done by Work Study Coordinator MaryAnne Will. Since this is a work and service program, preference is given to applicants who are open and willing to learn about themselves within the work context as well as within the study/process groups. Because the work can be physically challenging (lifting, bending, etc.), it may not be suitable for all who wish to apply. First-month work scholars, in particular, are assigned to departments largely on the basis of community need (usually the kitchen or housekeeping).

Please note: The Work Study Program is designed to explore and apply human values and potentials. It is not intended as a substitute for therapy or as a cure.

Please read further details below about Applying for the Work Study Program.

Upcoming Work Study Programs

Esalen now offers a new program for returning work scholars or work scholars staying on for an additional month. This program supports an independent course of study supplemented by evening sessions with various topics and teachers, and other group offerings. The work group hours (32 hours per week) and price are the same as Work Study programs facilitated by a leader. For more information contact the Work Study Program.

Yoga
December 21, 2008 - January 18, 2009

This yoga program with Debra Simpson will explore the delicate balance between effort and ease, both on and off the mat. The words hatha yoga translate into sun and moon, masculine and feminine energy union. You will be guided into sthira and sukha (stability and comfort) through practice and philosophy of yoga, discovering the middle path in all aspects of being. The monthlong will apply foundations of alignment and dynamic methods during the asana sessions to quiet the mind for contemplation. During evening sessions you will study yoga philosophy and explore your creative nature using music, dance, and other art forms. The goal of these teachings is to balance intensity and grace to inspire you toward the path of happiness and vitality. As Debra writes, A quiet mind brings the physical body into its most efficient state for optimum productivity.

Gestalt Awareness Practice
January 18 - February 15, 2009

Each of us is born with an inherent drive for self-expression. As we grow up, our sense of self and our ability to be spontaneous often become blocked. Knowing who we are, and what we feel and want, can be difficult when our self-knowledge is distorted by family experiences and cultural expectations. The focus of a month with Dorothy Charles will be Gestalt Awareness Practice, using group process to enhance communication and conflict resolution skills and to develop empathy for self and others. Mindfulness practice, meditation, and expressive arts will be part of the curriculum.

Materials fee of $10 paid directly to the leader.

This program is full and we are taking a wait list so submit an application if you are interested. People often get in from the wait list.

Legacy Program: Yoga as a Practice of Presence
January 18 - February 15, 2009

The legacy group offering for returning workscholars Johanna Holloman and Jan Sinclair will take you on a journey of Self Discovery, using Yoga as the doorway emphasizing the development of presence in yoga practice, providing participants insight into the spiritual, as well as the physical benefits of this ancient system. Guiding you through the 5 Universal Principles of Yoga with a detailed focus on proper alignment, we will experience how breath, movement, energy and awareness combine into a seamless practice. As we engage our hearts, minds and souls together in dynamic yoga vinyasa, participants will discover new possibilities for self healing and inner awakening. We will be building strength and flexibility in a therapeutic way as well as developing more energy and vitality for our daily lives. Self-inquiry and group sharing will support the integration of issues arising through opening the body armor in a safe and gentle way.

Shamanism
February 15 - March 15, 2009

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual system in the world. David Corbin & Nan Moss offer a monthlong exploration of the shaman's ancient and universal methods to enter nonordinary reality for problem solving, well-being, and healing. Participants will be guided to enter the shamanic state of consciousness and will be initiated into the shamanic journey to experience the same sources of profound wisdom and compassion known to our ancestors. The group will seek to restore spiritual power and to apply shamanism in contemporary daily life to help heal oneself, others, and the planet. Please bring a drum or rattle if you have one.

Body Music
March 15 - April 12, 2009

The human body is an amazing and beautifully crafted instrument—the house of spirit. How we take care of our bodies, or “polish and tune the instrument,” affects our overall quality of life and the vibrancy of our souls. The ability to be in presence—in spirit—is directly connected with the health and attunement of our instrument. To help bring the body into balance, this program with Dean Marson & Ginger Holladay will present basic Esalen Massage to de-stress and nurture the physical self. In addition, participants will learn a gentle Ocean Yoga flow to deepen body awareness, tone the body, and initiate an ongoing practice of self-care. As the body opens through touch and movement, the group will use voice to invoke the Muse, encountering the creative self through chanting, sacred sounds, and "songs of the spirit." With massage, yoga, and song, participants will explore possibilities for expression and connection as our finely tuned instruments open to the vastness of Spirit.

CEU credits available for bodyworkers.

Permaculture, First Month
April 12 - May 10, 2009

In the world today we ask ourselves how can we be a part of the solution and not the problem? What exactly can we do to enact real change? The answers and solutions will be explored during these two month-long courses in creating and designing a sustainable culture. This is a certification course in Permaculture Design through the Permaculture Institute of Australia.

Permaculture is a set of techniques and principles for designing sustainable human communities, based in relationship and responsibility. Together, scholars and teachers will create an open learning environment that includes discussion, activities, presentations, and hands-on projects. By using Esalen’s facilities, gardens, and work environments as a microcosm of the larger world, Benjamin Fahrer will facilitate this powerful and transformative journey together with a number of premier Permaculture teachers. The skills one gains during this training include a base understanding of design and development principles used in small- and large-scale applications. As a graduate of this program, you will possess the skills to begin to design, consult and teach Permaculture anywhere in the world. No previous experience is necessary, only the desire to be the change you wish to see in the world.

The first month will focus on the concepts and methods of designing a more sustainable life and world. A comprehensive introduction to Permaculture Design will lead participants through the principles and practices, and explore how the natural elements contribute to a well-designed system. Topics and activities include:

This integrated approach combines the legacy of Esalen’s intrapersonal development with how we interact with our environment. Participants will be empowered with the confidence to live and function in a more just, sacred, and sustainable future.

There is a $90 materials fee for the handbooks and materials that are provided.

Permaculture, Second Month
May 10 - June 7, 2009

In the second month of the Permaculture training led by Benjamin Fahrer, the scholars dive deeply into more specific elements in the physical and social realms of our culture and how they relate to one another. Participants will work on and produce designs for different aspects of Esalen’s new commitment to long-term goals of self-reliance and sustainability. Topics of focus and activities include:

In order to make change in the world we need to begin with ourselves. This course will provide you with tools necessary to transform your life into the one you want to be living. Many resources and opportunities to continue your work will also be provided. If you need direction in this overwhelming time of great change, this program will empower you with the principles, practices and techniques to be a valuable contribution to the movement and your community.

Writing Your Life
June 7 - July 5, 2009

If the story is in you, it has got to come out.
— William Faulkner

Everything in your life, from the mundane to the extraordinary, is a story waiting to be told. This program, led by writer/performer Ann Randolph, focuses on the process of discovering your own unique and powerful stories. By writing from your deepest source, you will gain insight and self-understanding. You'll learn how to make your words leap from the page to the stage, sharing them orally to uncover the power of storytelling to transform the lives of you and your listeners. This workshop is full of heart and humor and asks its participants for a willingness to delve courageously past their perceived limits. Through improvisation, writing exercises, and group discussion, you will find your authentic voice, along with an honest, organic way to express your truth. You will also learn how to speak your truth via the Internet: guerrilla filmmaking, vlogging, and blogging. The month will culminate in a theatrical presentation for the Esalen community as well as the opportunity to post your work to YouTube. All levels are welcome. Topics include:

Performance Theater and Leadership
July 5 - August 2, 2009

To create transformation in any environment, we need to transform our ideas of leadership and performance. Luckily, the latest discoveries in technology, nature, and systems theory give us an entirely new model of both performance and leadership—a model that is not dependent on the decisions of a single charismatic leader but the collective wisdom that picks up the pulse of the group. As in jazz improvisation, this new model involves a constant giving and taking, where everyone contributes and the dross falls away. When we find the connections between one another, and follow what’s present, the interdependence of all things guides us. Nowhere is this more evident than in the performing arts, where the principles of ensemble-theater (working as a group) have been practiced, developed, and demonstrated on stages for centuries. What can the theater teach us about ways to channel the collective wisdom of the group for new ideas and breakthrough performance?

The program will focus on developing presence, creativity and leadership. Activities will include techniques to expand expressive abilities, generate greater awareness of the group field and develop increased spontaneity. Veteran stage director and global leadership consultant Peter Meyers will guide the group through the process of creating an original ensemble theater performance developed over four weeks and offered as a gift to the community at the end of the month.

T’ai Chi
August 2-30, 2009

Kenn Chase leads a monthlong intensive exploration of the entire Yang-style T’ai Chi Ch’uan sequence. Students will study the fifty-four postures of this ancient movement meditation, with hours of practice and refinement. Kenn will integrate Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement exercises into the class, helping students to free the body for more efficient mastery of the T’ai Chi forms. Movement analysis and Functional Integration will also be part of the program, helping to relieve stress and pains arising from chronic misuse of posture.

Spinal Awareness
August 30 - September 27, 2009

Patrick Douce will lead an in-depth experience of Spinal Awareness, a program of health and healing (with humor). Spinal Awareness is a way of learning that improves body awareness, flexibility, posture, and most chronic and acute conditions of the body. Taught with movement, touch, and group interaction, it is based on the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, Taoist-Chinese-Indonesian martial art, and the Esalen experience. Spinal Awareness emphasizes learning how to move in ways that stimulate your awareness and support the health of your own body. Lessons inspired by Indonesian Silat will also be used to stimulate the energy body, effecting internal health and increasing energy. Students will participate in floor exercises that organize and integrate the spinal column, and standing lessons that improve better balance and fluidity.

The course will include hands-on lessons, safe and noninvasive, to greatly speed improvements. Fun partner lessons will be intermixed to help bring about not only freedom in the body but a return to the childlike energy essential to us all.

CEU credits available for bodyworkers (38 hours).

Streams of Energy
September 27 - October 25, 2009

Jim Gallas leads Streams Of Energy, a program of Eastern bodywork and movement, including Reiki 1 Certification, a thorough overview of Shiatsu Massage, an introduction to meridian theory, and an easy-to-learn, powerful Chi Kung form. Various meditations, self-massage, and improv games will be used to encourage awareness and expression. The program is designed to open students to their own innate healing potentials, to the power of safe, therapeutic touch, and to being more fully present in their ongoing unfolding. Participants will also receive valuable tools to facilitate the healing of others. In a spirit of compassion, laughter, and expanding awareness, students will be nurtured and nourished by the group interaction and by a deeper connection to Self.

CEU credits available for bodyworkers.

The Creator’s Map
October 25 - November 22, 2009

Every idea, once born, has a beginning, middle, and end as it travels the spiral terrain between thought and form. Master creators throughout the centuries have sought to perfect this creative alchemy. But the truth is, creation is in our very being, creating is our birthright. Each obstacle that you confront in the creative process is a gate, which, once opened, becomes a revelation.

This class is for the creator in all of us. Whether you are writing, painting, dancing, cooking, starting a business, or on your own unique path of discovery, this class is designed to help you continue projects you’ve started or generate new ideas and bring them powerfully into the world. Using The Creator’s Map, an alchemical guide to creating from the divine within, rediscovered by former Disney animator and master creator Dave Zaboski, you will be guided to engage deeply with your personal creativity using ancient wisdom and practical tools for powerful everyday creation. You will learn theories and practice exercises from powerful artists and teachers from the worlds of arts, sciences and occult teachings, and learn to communicate your own ideas more deftly. The sessions will unfold in three main stages: Creation, Expansion, and Fulfillment. Classroom sessions will be interspersed with experiential sessions such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and other artistic endeavors.

SoulMotion™
November 22 - December 20, 2009

Many of us live suspended between the yearning for self-expression and the fear of exposure, the tendency to hide and the desire to offer ourselves to the world, the oneness of spiritual unity and the complexity of human interactions. These paradoxes are the focus of a month led by Zuza Engler. Exploring movement from the inside out and the practice of presence—through SoulMotion™ and Gestalt Awareness Practice—students will be guided in discovering the unfolding of their own dance and supported in opening to life’s constant pulsation between contraction and expansion, between dropping into oneself and extending toward another. Participants will practice skills for moving fluidly with the challenges of relationship, attuning to the generosity of an undefended heart, and accessing the larger Presence that breathes us into Being.

Applying for the Work Study Program

Your commitment to the Work Study Program is from 4 pm of the first Sunday to 7:30 pm of the final Sunday. Inasmuch as the Work Study Program is a complete program in itself, please do not plan to take regularly scheduled catalog workshops during your stay.

Program Fees

A deposit of $400 in U.S. currency is required with your application. You may pay in full at the time you apply. The work scholar fee schedule is $1,095 for the first month, $1,045 for the second month, and $995 for the third month. Work scholars may be invited to remain for a second or third month depending on space available and community needs (foreign nationals should contact the Work Study office for information on staying longer than one month). Work scholars may not stay longer than three months in a calendar year, nor longer than three consecutive months. There are no scholarships available for the Work Study Program. Occasionally it is possible to stay for a longer period as an Extended Student.

Food and Housing

Accommodations are shared (occasionally co-ed), with up to four people to a room, usually at South Coast Center, a staff complex located 1.5 miles north of Esalen. Housing and meals, often with home-grown organic produce, are included in your tuition.

Transportation

When making travel plans, note that the closest airport to Esalen is Monterey. With at least 48-hour advance reservations, van service to Esalen is available from the following locations on the Sunday of your arrival:

  • Monterey Airport: Departs 2 pm. Cost: $40
  • Monterey Transit Center: Departs 2:20 pm. Cost: $40
  • San Francisco Airport: Departs 11:45 am. Cost: $80

For van reservations call 831-667-3010 or contact the Work Study Program.

Registration Required

Please note that application is not registration in the program. Registration is made only after approval of application. If you do not pay in full at the time of application, the balance of the fee is due on arrival and is nonrefundable thereafter.

Cancellation Policy & Fees

If you choose to cancel, you will be charged the following amount:

Submitting Your Application

Please print out and mail the application form (PDF) with your personal statement and deposit to the address below, or fax your application to (831) 667-3069.

Work Study Program
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920

We will contact you regarding your status within 14 days of receipt of your application. For more information contact the Work Study Program.

Contact the Work Study Program

Esalen Work Study Program
Phone: (831) 667-3010
Fax: (831) 667-3069
Email: workstudy@esalen.org