aahhhhh Esalen

Today is my first day home from Esalen. I attended Peter Sterios' week long yoga training at Esalen in Big Sur. I'd always heard stories about it, and have even attended amazing workshops at other retreat centers, but this was epic.

Our group was of about 30, from all over the world... Turkey, Portland, etc. The first evening we all sat in a circle and talked about how we'd arrived; what inspired us to come.



Each day we had dynamic yoga class from 7-9, and then all day free to roam, soak in the sulfur tubs, hike, play frisbee, soccer, read, nap, write, bond, etc. Our next class was 4-6 where we did about an hour of restorative and then meditated anywhere from 30-50 minutes... silently cross legged. A man named Moose played the hang (an amazing spaceship shaped instrument) for each class of ours, which was amazing. He stared off into the ocean and the beautiful drumming filled the room, in sync with the energy of the class.

I got a lot out of it. I've practiced his style before, Gravity and Grace he calls it, and it's juicy. His architecture background comes through in his teachings with the precision and elegance of his words, but he doesn't mess around. Peter's directions feel like orders, and you don't want to be the one doing them wrong. I understand why he approaches classes in this way, and he does get a more dedicated practitioner, because others don't continue to show up.

The type of student Peter attracts needs description, but no description could really do us all justice. They're open, many which are teachers themselves, inspired, hopeful, dedicated, liberated, body expressionists. There were many afternoons of lying around massaging each other... a lot of love to be shared. Although the sulfur tubs were clothing optional--and I didn't see anyone with clothing on... there wasn't a vibe of sexuality AT ALL. It was more of an open hippy fest (an outsider would call it) where we chanted and sang, watched whales and dolphins play.

Everything is located right on the cliffs in Big Sur, that jagged coastline that's oh so picture perfect, has tubs hanging over the edge, the dance dome where we did our yoga, danced and meditated was 2 feet from the cliff.

My partners in crime:


The food too was exquisite! All local fresh organic produce, an all day/all night bread bar with all the accoutrements. Most of the staff either pays to live there or gets paid very little, so they all have a strong desire to be present... the kitchen was always buzzing with music and dancing.

So now I'm home. But the view from that dome will remain with me...