Esalen massage is a very intuitive holistic massage technique. In this sheet, you will discover this practice in more detail, its principles, its history, its benefits, who practices it, the course of a session, how to train for it, and finally, the contraindications.

Esalen® massage is a gentle and intuitive approach that aims to awaken sensuality and body awareness through touch and breathing. It is an oil massage, inspired among other things by Swedish massage. Since much of the work is intuitive in nature, it is difficult to describe it in a purely technical and scientific way. On the one hand, the practitioner adjusts his movements to the breathing and reactions of the recipient. On the other hand, the person being massaged places himself in a state of relaxation and listens to the reactions of each part of his body, which can lead him to make contact with his inner life. The Esalen® massage aims first of all to reach the whole person through relaxation. But it can also be very energizing or focus on solving specific problems, such as back pain or arthritis, for example.

The main principles

It is not so much the maneuvers or the order in which they are performed that distinguish Esalen® massage from other forms of massage, but above all the philosophy based on listening and presence. The relationship between the therapist and the masseuse is privileged and based on trust.

Note that in this deeply holistic approach, body and mind form a whole and are inseparable. According to the initiators of the approach, the pleasure that comes from just being touched has therapeutic value in itself.

Sensual massage or erotic massage?

Esalen® massage is often considered the most sensual of bodily approaches. In practice, this approach is deeply gentle and based on the relationship between the therapist and the masseuse. Practiced naked, this massage is very progressive. The therapist approaches his patient’s body little by little, at first gently and then in a more stimulating way. It adapts to the inspirations and expirations of the massaged, in order to induce deep relaxation.

The Esalen® massage induces great relaxation and a deep body-mind connection; it can be seen as a moving meditation.

In terms of evidence, it seems that no clinical trial has been performed to assess its effects. On the other hand, many studies confirm the effectiveness of massage in general to relieve several ailments. For more details, see Massage therapy.

Esalen® massage was born from concepts developed at the Esalen Institute1, a growth center founded in 1962 in Big Sur, California, where emphasis was placed on the release of bodily armor, the expression of feelings and the development of human potential. The technique is derived from Swedish massage, which acts on the muscular and circulatory planes, and a sensory awakening approach through breathing created in Germany by Charlotte Selver2.

Since its inception, the philosophy of Esalen® massage has remained the same, but a large number of therapists add other bodily and growth approaches to it. The first Esalen® massage workshop open to the general public was given at the Esalen Institute in 1968 by Molly Day Shackman. Nowadays, Esalen® massage is enjoying increasing popularity in Europe, Japan and America. In the United States, it is offered in several continuing education programs for psychotherapists and nursing professionals.

The specialist

Esalen® massage is a registered trademark of the Esalen Institute. Despite this, several massage therapists claim to practice Esalen while in reality only those who have been accredited by the Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association are legally entitled to use the name Esalen®.

Course of a session

It is practiced in private practice, in growth centers, beauty centers and spas. A session usually lasts 75 minutes. The practitioner invites the person massaged to feel the tensions and emotions that inhabit them and to surrender to their inner sensations.

The person receiving the massage is usually naked. The session begins when the practitioner is completely focused on the “energy” of the person being massaged. Unlike other types of oil massage, the Esalen® massage does not follow a pre-established sequence. The first touch is held for a moment to establish contact, then long, fluid movements performed very slowly follow to connect all parts of the body to each other. When the person begins to relax and surrender, the practitioner varies their maneuvers in intensity and speed. The session ends with ample outward movements to create a feeling of space.

Become an “Esalen masseur”

Established by the Esalen Institute, the Esalen Massage and Bodywork Association (EMBA) ensures that quality standards are met both in training and in practice. The association offers its support to practitioners and teachers internationally.

In Quebec, only the Center EauVie is authorized to use the Esalen® brand and to provide training. This, offered in partnership with the Esalen Institute, lasts 28 days equivalent to a minimum of 150 hours of lessons (see Sites of interest). It is followed by a 6-month certification process which leads to an Esalen® massage practitioner certificate.

Several other organizations claim to offer Esalen massage training, but do so “illegally” when not recognized by the Esalen® Massage and Bodywork Association.

Contraindications of Esalen massage

Esalen massage is contraindicated for pregnant women. Indeed, like all other types of massage, it constitutes a risk for pregnancy.