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Esalen massage: learn the healing power of touch from the renowned body workers of Esalen Institute - includes related information
American Fitness, Jan-Feb, 1998 by Peg Jordan, Kathleen O'Shaughnessy
Imagine being able to give the world's greatest massage. What's even better, imagine being able to receive it. More and more people are learning first hand about the deep relaxation and numerous other blissful benefits gained from a therapeutic massage. But how many of us actually feel confident enough to help ease the tension out of a friend's shoulders and neck, or know how to soothe aching muscles after a rigorous workout? Some folks have the best intentions, but when they grab your shoulders from behind and squeeze, it's enough to put you through the roof. Some basic pointers on sensitivity, body awareness and just plain anatomy could help.
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Although there's nothing quite like a head-to-toe massage from a skilled massage practitioner, you can learn some of the fundamental elements yourself. Giving and receiving massage to your partner or family members, including children and the elderly, is an ideal way to enhance your relationships, well-being and communicate in new, supportive, nonverbal ways. You learn to grow in trust and openness as you give and receive massages.
The renowned massage crew at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California believes anyone can learn the fundamentals of a good, basic massage by practicing certain key elements. With the help of Looking Glass Productions (an award-winning Hollywood team consisting of the famous Gelb brothers, John and Richard, and director Steve Purcell), key elements were placed into a beautifully produced 85-minute video which shares, for the first time, the essentials of giving an Esalen massage. As you watch the video, you follow along, practicing the same moves on your partner at home. With repeated viewings, you gain confidence and learn to sense your partner's breath and degree of relaxation.
You're taught how to prepare a nurturing environment with your favorite music, meaningful objects, candles or a fire, how to keep the temperature comfortable, the best oils to use and, most of all, how to center and ground your own energy before beginning the massage. Protecting your own body is critical in a massage since the lifting and supporting of limbs is involved. The video also teaches you how to make the initial contact with your partner and receive permission, going only where invited, and ask about special needs or concerns.
What's so unique about an Esalen massage? Its uniqueness flows from its history. Because it is an eclectic mix, there is no singular form of Esalen massage. Every member of the Esalen massage crew interprets a massage in slightly different ways, because they intuitively sense the client's physical and nonphysical cues. Esalen massage evolved from the contribution and lively explorations into the field of human potential at Esalen Institute, a center for experimental education since the mid 1960s.
Many of the leading thinkers, authors and somatic pioneers met at this extraordinary setting on the cliffs of Big Sur, where the cypress meets the Pacific Ocean. Gestalt innovator Fritz Perls, movement specialist Moshe Feldenkrais, Ida Rolf, Virginia Satir and more all met at this magical place where the crashing surf is joined by sounding grey whales, otters at play, migrating monarch butterflies, breathtaking foliage, and interesting people enjoying long soaks in the natural sulfur baths. Whether you need renewal, inspiration or help in making a major life transition, Esalen Institute can provide everything from enlightening workshops to body work that helps you grow in sensitivity and awareness.
Esalen massage itself grew from a blend of ideas and practices: Swedish massage, martial arts, yoga, tai chi, chi gung, Western applied kinesiology, somatic arts, body work, subtle energy theories, polarity, cranial-sacral work, sports massage and native healing rituals. Certain signature elements are unique to Esalen massage, such as long, lengthening integrative strokes. Also, it's intuitive-based. "The trick is to not analyze your partner," according to Ellen Watson, a senior member of the massage. "You learn to sense what is needed in each moment. Whenever you lose sight of that, simply breathe and ground again."
Another element of Esalen massage involves giving the person a chance to pause and integrate the work. Peggy Horan, director of the massage crew, describes the process as a sort of moving meditation, whereby she puts her entire body into the massage, not simply her hands.
Another crew member and massage instructor, Ray Swartley, sees the video as an excellent first step for people at home to introduce them to the basics of a relaxing massage. In the future, he'd like to see advanced work presented. His own style often involves an abundance of free-flowing, well-supported and nurturing moves with the client in a side-lying position.
People who have experienced Esalen massage often talk about how they felt as if their bodies were able to let go for the first time because they were so unobtrusively yet emotionally supported. They never knew massage could release a host of feelings -- from occasional sadness to prolonged euphoria.
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