The Healing Art of Deep Bodywork®:
Deep Tissue Skills for Massage Practitioners
Healing Injuries to the Neck, Opening the Chest and Freeing the Breath
There is growing demand for massage practitioners who have mastered the art of moving deeply into the body with skill and sensitivity. The capacity of Deep Bodywork to alleviate acute and chronic pain has made it an indispensable tool in treating difficult conditions such as back pain, sciatica, and chronic cervical pain due to whiplash injuries or other traumatic events to the upper body. As we open the body’s deeper soft tissue layers, “stuck” energy in the form of shortened, hardened tissue is mobilized, making this energy available to support us in the process of healing.
This seminar will focus on healing the neck from chronic and acute pain due to injury and postural issues, as well as freeing the chest and ribs with the intent of opening the vital function of breath. The capacity to fully expand our chests in taking a full, free breath is perhaps the body’s most important tool in unwinding the ongoing stress we accumulate in life. Restriction in this vital capacity can lead to collapsing of the chest, a forward leaning posture of the neck and head, and chronic pain in many areas of the upper body as a secondary result. Our ability to deal with emotional stress can be severely limited if breath is restricted in it’s vital, healing function. We will understand through our discussion of relevant anatomy how an open chest balances the shoulder girdle, providing an organized base for the neck and head. We will look at the structural complexity of the neck in understanding why injury to this vital area can be so difficult to heal.
Integrating our experiences of giving and receiving bodywork from one another will happen through Movement Practice™, yoga, and group sharing. Perry, Johanna, and the teaching team will make sure that all participants are well held within the group field and leave the seminar with valuable skills not only for massage practice but also with an understanding of their own self-healing capacities and how to support clients to do the same.
Presented by:
Perry Holloman has been a bodywork teacher for over 35 years, teaching in the USA, Europe and Asia. He is based in Big Sur, and teaches at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, where he has lived for many years and taught since 1979.
He is the creator of the Esalen Massage Teacher’s Training and is a coach and consultant for individuals, businesses and communities using the Integrative Gestalt Coaching Approach™, developed together with his wife, Johanna Holloman.
For more information, visit www.deepbodywork.com
Johanna Holloman is a German born clinical psychologist, Integrative Gestalt Practice™ teacher, as well as an ordained teacher of the Diamond Approach® in the Ridhwan School, teaching bodywork and Yoga workshops (E-RYT 500) and certification trainings at the Esalen Institute in California as well as internationally.
Johanna worked on the Esalen Massage crew for many years and is a member of the teaching as well as the teacher-training faculty both for Esalen Massage and Deep Bodywork®. Johanna’s intention is to touch the totality of the soul through loving present touch, allowing the receiver to come home to the immediacy and dynamic stillness of their Being.
Fees for Meals, Accommodations & Tuition
Fees are PER PERSON and include tuition, lodging, and meals for all days of the retreat. For full descriptions of each type of accommodation, please see images below.
| Accommodations Type | Rate | |
| Ram Cottage #1 - Single (1 person/room, 2 rooms); Shared Bath | $2,650 | |
| Ram Cottage #2 - Single (1 person/room, 3 rooms); Shared Bath | $2,175 | |
| Ram Cottage #1 - Double (2 people/room, 2 rooms); Shared Bath | $2,150 | |
| Ram Cottage #2 - Double (2 people/room, 3 rooms); Shared Bath | $1,825 | |
| Conference Center - Single Room (1 person/room) w/ Private Bath | $2,240 | |
| Conference Center - Single Room (1 person/room); Shared Bath | $1,975 | |
| Cabin - Single (1 person/cabin); Separate Shared Bath Facility | $1,830 | |
| Conference Center - Double in Room (2 people/room) w/ Private Bath | $1,870 | |
| Conference Center - Double in Room (2 people/room); Shared Bath | $1,715 | |
| Cabin - Double (2 people/cabin); Separate Shared Bath Facility | $1,675 | |
| Conference Center - Triple in Room (3 people/room); Shared Bath | $1,555 | |
| Own Vehicle | $1,310 | |
| Own Tent | $1,310 | |
| Commuting | $1,245 |
Important Note About Accommodations:
Double and triple rates are available ONLY to groups of 2 or 3 people who are staying in the same room. Please list the names of the people with whom you are sharing the room on the registration form.
- If there is only 1 person staying in the room it is considered a Single.
- If there are 2 people staying in the room it is considered a Double.
- If there are 3 people staying in the room it is considered a Triple.
Please note that fees for accommodations will be based on actual room occupancy.
Accommodations
Guest Rooms
These tasteful rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms, are located in our Conference Center where there is wi-fi, two lovely courtyards with expansive views to read and relax in, and a full tea bar available at all times in the Conference wing of the building. All beds are single size, and sleep 1 person only. Single, double and triple rooms are hotel-style. Bathrooms and showers are centrally located on each floor.
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Rustic Cabins
These simple rustic cabins are located in our Oaks Campground. They are a short walk to the main area, but have a feeling of being more remote. Cabins have electricity and heat, but not wi-fi or indoor plumbing. A separate shower house is nearby, containing private showers and dressing rooms, and flush toilets.
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Ram Cottages
The Ram Cottages have easy access to the Wellness Center and many hiking trails. They are a short walk away from the central meeting buildings. Ram #1 offers two bedrooms, a small kitchen, bathroom, and shared living space with outdoor deck. Ram #2 sleeps 6 and offers a kitchenette, and a shared bathroom. All beds are single size, and sleep 1 person only.
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Own Vehicle
Regular size parking spaces are available for your van, camper or other vehicle. There is no access to electricity. Showers and restrooms are available in campgrounds and Center buildings.
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Own Tent Camping
Developed campsites are available for people who wish to bring their own tent. Campsites are located in the Oaks Campground and are walk-in style with parking nearby. This area is a 10-15 minute walk to the main gathering areas. WiFi is NOT available. Sites have access to showers and flush toilets and are available year-round. Please be aware that we can receive significant amounts of rain from November through May.
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