Esalen massage

Esalen Massage and Bodywork was firstmassage, oriental medicine, meditation, gestalt
developed over 40 years ago, in Big Sur,Californiapractice.
at the Esalen Institute.The influence of, deeper work borrowed for Ida
The sound of the waves provides a soothingRolf's teachings, Moshe Feldenkrais' sense of
background for any massage session at Esalenneural co-ordinates, Milton Trager's passive
Institute, Big Sur, California. This sound, coupledmovement to awaken the mind, yoga stretches,
with the cliffside natural hot springs and thesomatic mind-body psychology, and more
educational community dedicated to explore theenergetically based polarity massage and
"far reaches of human potentiality", inspires acranial-sacral work continue to "grow" the work.
unique approach to bodywork known worldwideEach practitioner translates this into his/her
as Esalen® Massage.personal art form.
The Esalen Institute was founded in 1962 as anAt the heart of the session is a sense of
alternative educational center devoted to theempowering each individual to regain a sense of
exploration of what Aldous Huxley called theharmony, reverence, and balance, and to awaken
"human potential," the world of unrealized humaninner resources for healing. It is not unusual to
capacities that lies beyond the imagination. Esalenhear, "That was the most amazing massage I've
soon became known for its blend of East/ Westever received." Brita Ostrom, Esalen Massage
philosophies, its experiential/ didactic workshops,Crew, Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA According to
the steady influx of philosophers, psychologists,practitioners, the Esalen Massage "experience"
artists, and religious thinkers, and its breathtakingconsists of Traditional massage, which works on
grounds blessed with natural hot springs. Oncethe muscle and circulation systems.
home to a Native American tribe known as theThe bodywork approach developed by Charlotte
Essalen, Esalen is situated on 27 acres ofSelver, which emphasizes the deeply relaxing and
spectacular Big Sur coastline with the Santa Luciaemotional responses of the body when a
Mountains rising sharply behind.conscious, structured and pleasant touch is applied.
Esalen Massage Defined The receiver rests on theGentle rocking of the body Passive joint exercises
massage table, draped, and the practitioner'sDeep structural work on the muscles and joints
hands begin quietly, with presence, attending toEnergetic balancing of the body Over the years,
breath, allowing the receiver to drop inward. TheEsalen massage has incorporated elements of
long, slow, t'ai chi-like strokes awaken awareness,other therapies: Classical Massage Cranio Sacral
and as the tissues open to the warm of touch,Therapy Polarity Chakra und Qi Energy Balancing
the contact deepens, nudging bound-up muscles,Trager Movement and Stretching Therapy
drawing forth expanded movement.Trigger Point Release Rolfing Deep Tissue
A relaxing sigh resounds through the body, andAcupressure Feldenkrais All Esalen Massage
the practitioner responds with integration strokespractitioners develop their own unique Esalen
into related areas.Massage style in accordance with their
The massage continues, seamlessly, wrapping thebackground, experience, feelings and special
torso arms, legs, hands, feet, neck, and spirit intocapabilities. The Esalen philosophy encourages
a united whole.practitioners to combine a wide range of methods
The practitioner brings a knowledge of strokesto suit the clients’ needs, as well as the
(many have roots in Swedish Massage), ofmassager's “intuitional feelings”
muscles and bones, of movement, of listening toin that moment of time.
the body as well as the words. Prior to theBenefits Esalen massagers claim benefits similar to
session, he/she pays attention to his own physicalother forms of massage: Stimulating the skin and
comfort, and quiets down internal chatter toblood circulation Relaxing the muscles and nervous
welcome inner guidance, or intuition. As hesystem Stimulating the metabolism and lymphatic
massages, the practitioner responds to the signssystem Stretching tendons and ligaments Esalen
of relaxation: deepened breath, enhancedmassage also claims "conscious touch" has
circulation, a sigh, perhaps flutters of the eyelids.additional benefits: Increasing the perception of
Each session is unique, tailored by personaleach person’s body, both the clients' or
requests, comfort level, physical tension andthe practitioners' Allowing both the client and
release, the felt sense of intuition.practitioner to more fully experience themselves
The effects of this intentional touch, looselywith a heightened sense of awareness Curative
categorized as "wellness/stress managementMeasures Esalen Massage also claims to help
massage", range widely. For some, it brings avarious ailments: Chronic neck and back pain
renewed sense of health and vigor, others mayTension in the muscles and joints Headaches or
regain a sense of safety with regard to touch.migraines Poor circulation High blood pressure
Often old tension patterns break free and oldSleeping difficulties In 1982, Currie Prescott, senior
emotions are released. It signals a return to one'smassage teacher and director of THE CENTER/
nature, a switch from everyday consciousnessEuropean Institute of Esalen Massage, introduced
into a calmer, more colorful space less inhabitedthe massage style to Europe, where it has
by the constraints of time and place. Andeveloped further in its scope and depth. Since
out-of-ordinary reality.Esalen Massage encourages practitioners to use
The sources of this rich work are endless: it wastheir intuition to guide them in the massage, Esalen
informed by sensory awareness, Swedishis known as the art of "conscious touch."