Esalen Bodywork
The art of conscious touch
Long flowing connective massage strokes and passive movement of the limbs are trademark features of an Esalen massage.
It is a deeply relaxing experience. I approach the body as a whole whether the client has come to treat illness, injury or just an opportunity to relax and feel nurtured. I use breath awareness to bring focus and intent to the massage and to allow for any muscles tension to have the opportunity to release. With the diffferent elements that combine to make Esalen there is the possibility of deep structural work too...
While it has its roots in the style of Swedish massage, Esalen focuses on energy exchange and psychological well-being, rather than the simply physical results of a massage. While Esalen massage is beneficial for physical health, the goal of the massage therapist is to tune the mind and body together, resulting in a sense of serenity and peace for the client.
Many of the therapists who worked together to develop Esalen massage had extensive training in Swedish massage, Rolfing, deep tissue, and Eastern massage practices such as Shiatsu and Thai. Massage experience was combined with energy work for a massage designed to treat the body and the soul together.
Esalen incorporates all of the massage techniques found in Swedish massage, and adds aspects of energy work as well. The desired effect is a sense of harmony and balance on the part of the client. The goal of an Esalen massage is relaxation, although physical benefits may be experienced as well. Therapists also believe that Esalen strengthens the body to promote healing and psychological health. An Esalen massage can be an intense experience as the body releases physical and psychological tension, and the therapist and client work together to maximize the experience.
Each massage is tailored to the clients needs and these are adjusted throughout the massage.
In an Esalen massage the client will (generally) lie on the massage table.
The massage can be received fully clothed (though this then becomes more of a bodywork session) or with as little clothing as the client is comfortable with. The client is covered in a large sheet and blanket and the practitioner skillfully drapes and moves the sheet throughout the massage so the client feels fully covered and secure at all times.
Arriving for an Esalen massage you can expect the following things of a 2 hr session:
A 15 min discussion prior to the massage with a warm cup of herbal tea.
5 minutes on your own while the practitioner leaves allowing to you to get onto the table.
An hour and a half full body massage.
A ten minute discussion at the end of the session.
Esalen is the art of conscious and unconditional touch and each massage is altered intuitively by the practitioner according to the client.
