In September of 2009, the Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association, in partnership with the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California, will offer the first Esalen Institute Approved Teachers Training in Esalen Massage. Our goal in offering this program is to educate teachers of the highest quality in this world-renowned healing art. A further intention is to expand our community of teachers to sow the seeds for this work’s local and international growth.

Becoming an Esalen Massage teacher requires developing skills on many levels, both personally and professionally. As leaders, we will learn to support both individuals and groups in their processes of learning, a task which involves understanding people intellectually, emotionally, and psychologically. As individuals, we will often find ourselves challenged by things arising within a group field, and therefore must understand ourselves emotionally and psychologically to meet these challenges in an integrated way. Since the essence of Esalen Massage involves learning to re-discover and support processes of self healing in others, understanding our own capacities for self healing through honest self assessment and peer feedback will be crucial. Committing to this time together is therefore a commitment toward deep learning, and deep self-reflection.

This training will be divided into 5 training blocks, each focusing on different aspects of the Esalen Massage Teachers’ skill set. The first block will be seven days long, followed by 4 others, of ten-day duration. We will meet twice a year, with time for homework and integration in between. We intend to spend our last training block at the Esalen Institute itself, home of Esalen Massage and the source of it’s most important current development. Following is a description of the general content of the 5 training periods.

General Content of the 5-Ten Day Training Periods

The 5 training periods will involve intensive instruction in the following areas:

Teaching Esalen Massage Technique: This important topic involves learning to teach a highly creative method within clearly structured demonstrations and discussions. Teaching any true healing art involves utilizing left and right brain skills in an integrated manner. Esalen Massage is primarily experiential. Developing verbal clarity and simplicity in presenting material, while at the same time imparting a feeling for this experiential essence is crucial. Assessing different skill levels within a group, and different styles of learning amongst students (e.g. kinesthetic vs. auditory) are important subjects within this area.

Developing group dynamic skills: Supporting students’ process of learning is greatly enhanced when a bonded feeling of togetherness emerges within a group field. Developing skills in group bonding and team building are essential for the teacher guiding individuals in a group setting. We will be exposed to the important concept of creating “a holding container” within which bonded relationships can emerge, and how vital a sense of trust between student and teacher is to one’s learning experience. Conflict management will also be an area of focus, as conflict can sometimes arise, particularly in larger groups.

Understanding and supporting emotional processes, as they arise in individual students: Dealing with students in emotional crisis will be an important part of our focus. Deeply rooted, unconscious patterns of emotional behavior can emerge through touching in Esalen Massage. As teachers, we need to be prepared to assess and assist those dealing with such material as it emerges within a group. The relationship of Trauma to the physical body will also be examined.

Developing a movement practice: The practice of bodywork is stressful physically, and developing a movement practice is an effective way to evolve the strength and resilience, both energetically and physically, which the body requires for this work. In this training we will be exposed to different forms of movement on a consistent basis, giving ourselves an experience of how continuity of practice can strengthen and vitalize our physical bodies. Body mechanics, the art of using the body as a vehicle for gravitational energy, will be emphasized as we practice movement. Flowing yoga, and Open Space Movement Practice® will be forms emphasized in this training. Students will be expected to develop an ongoing practice of movement that they include in their groups in order to certify as a teacher.

Basic competence in anatomy and physiology: Students will be expected to master a basic level of bodywork relevant anatomy, and develop the ability to use this knowledge while teaching. We will support each other in discovering how, with a bit of effort, we can develop this skill and enhance our teaching abilities. Because many of our students come already well educated in this area, answering their anatomically related questions about the practice of Esalen Massage requires that we deepen our own knowledge on this important subject. We will focus on the bones, muscles, and tissues of the bodies different segments, and how touch can effect change within the body-mind.

Massage and Teaching Ethics: Occupying the seat of teacher is challenging on the ethical level. We will examine the nature of asymmetrical relationships (e.g. the student/teacher relationship), and the phenomenon of transference and counter transference, and their complexity. The importance of appropriate boundaries in relationship will be examined, and how they influence the “holding container of trust” within a group.

Prerequisites for Application

We will admit applicants of two different kinds, based on feedback by many who have expressed interest in this program: First, we will accept applications from those interested in becoming teachers of Esalen Massage, and working within our community of teachers both locally and internationally. These Applicants will be expected to demonstrate having built, and maintained a professional practice in Esalen Massage. 5 years of experience is recommended, although decisions on all applications will be made on a case-by-case basis. A clear intention not only to master the art of teaching Esalen Massage, but also to work within the EMBA guidelines will be important criterion in selection. Second, we will accept applications from Esalen Massage Practitioners wishing to immerse themselves deeply in this art, without the intention to become teachers at this point in time. These students will be expected to demonstrate an interest in their own personal, as well as professional growth. There is no guideline in terms of years of experience for these students. Their applications will be looked at on a case-by-case basis also. Applicants for this level of training will not be certified as teachers at the conclusion of this training. Their participation will be taken into consideration in the future, should they decide to train at a later date.

All applicants must fill out an application form, and have an interview with Perry Holloman either in person, or by telephone.

Certification Requirements

Becoming an Esalen Massage teacher requires maturity, flexibility, and the capacity to guide people through many levels of inner experience. Successful completion of this training will require participants to demonstrate these qualities, in addition to demonstrating an appropriate understanding of the previously mentioned 6 areas of study, during our two years together. Because these aspects of teaching develop at different rates in different people, teacher candidates will be certified according to our assessment of these requirements as they evolve in each individual. Some teacher candidates will need to complete additional work, or gather further professional experience, in order to become certified teachers based on these assessments. Upon certification, teacher candidates become Esalen Massage Teachers, Level I, recognized to teach introductory seminars in this healing art. Assistantships in certification trainings will be made available to Level I Teachers on a priority basis, so that their continued development can be monitored and supported. Many of you have asked the question of how to progress to the level of Teacher of Massage Certifications (level II). Progressing to this level requires, first, demonstrating mastery of level 1. Candidates for this level of teacherhood will be expected to have organized, and taught introductory seminars successfully for at least a year. At this point in time, candidates may select a mentor (a senior teacher of Esalen Massage), who will guide the candidate to the next level.

Remaining a teacher in good standing requires following EMBA guidelines of professional and ethical conduct.

Application

Download an application here.

Contact Information:

In Europe:
Eva-Maria Leve
Tel: 0231-3984641

e-mail: eva-maria-leve@web.de

For all other Countries Including Japan and Indonesia:
Perry Holloman 00-1-831-667-0537
e-mail: bodyofwiz@hotmail.com

Completed applications can be mailed to:
Perry Holloman
Esalen Institute
55000 Hwy #1
Big Sur, CA 93920
USA

Cost:

The Teachers Training cost €4,200 (all prices in Euros) not including travel, room and board. A deposit of € 250 is required to complete application. Payment can be made by wire transfer to the following bank account:

Eva-Maria Leve
Sparkasse Dortmund
BLZ 440 501 99
KTO 212142387
(All transfer costs to be paid by applicant)

Deposit to be refunded in full in case of rejected applications. All other deposits are non-refundable.

Place:

This Training will take place at the Körperwerkstatt Bahrenhoff . (North of Hamburg)

For further information about room and board please contact: eva-maria-leve@web.de

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