Esalen Massage & Bodywork: Women's Wellness

Women's Wellness & The Psoas Muscle

Teachers: Ellen Watson, Rie Kuwahara, Masako Ota
Dates: 1st - 8th March, 2020
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Venue: Mimpi Resort, Menjangan

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Learning to take good care of ourselves is a life-long exploration. During this program, Ellen, Rie, and Masako will introduce effective ways to support breast and reproductive system health and wellness, as wells as in depth exploration of the Psoas Muscle Group.

As we learn about the psoas group of muscles, we become aware of the importance of these muscles that connect our upper and lower bodies. That allow us to ‘rock and roll’ to dance, to make love, to bend forward and backward, to twist and turn. Frequently referred to as the ‘muscle of trauma’, in this program we will learn effective ways to let go of holding patterns established during times of trauma.

Want to Register?

If you would like to participate in the Women's Wellness Experience just fill in the info below and we'll get in touch as soon as possible!
Places are limited so we advise registering interest at your earliest convenience.

What can I Expect to Learn & Practice?

Massage Protocols for PMS, Cramping, & Ovulation with the use of essential oil formulas
Massage Protocols for Breast Health & manual lymphatic drainage, with essential oil formulas
Massage Protocol for releasing the psoas group, including the "Frog"
Psoas Fatiguing Protocol for self care
Passive Psoas release positions for use during massage
Dance and Yoga for Psoas health
Laughing Meditation

What is the Psoas Muscle?

The Psoas Muscle, pronounced So-Az, connects the lumbar vertebrae to the femur. It is the only muscle to connect our spine with our legs and is known as a storage center for fear, anxiety, trauma, stress. Commonly called the “Fight or Flight” muscle, te Psoas holds particular importance as an indicator for our overall physical and mental well-being. When the body and mind are stressed, the Psoas muscle contracts in a primal response designed to protect us from harm.

The brain and our body are in a two-way street of communications. The brain reports to the nerves and muscles in our body and the muscles and nerves in return report back their current status. Our consciousness does not understand these reports as a detailed list, but rather interprets them physically and emotionally. This means a tightened Psoas can cause us pain, stress and anxiety, and in turn traumatic experiences can tighten our psoas.

For women, the Psoas bares even greater importance. As the Psoas tightens it pins down the uterus causing painful cramps, especially during menstruation. This can become especially painful amongst other physical symptoms of back pain, hip tension, knee and ankle problems, groin pain, disturbed sleep, bruxism (grinding teeth), jaw pain, shoulder pain, sciatic pain also caused by psoas tension.

Who is eligible to participate in this program?
Anyone with a massage & bodywork background, various somatic artists (yoga, Cranial, Qi Gung, Esalen trained bodyworkers). If you have no background and want to join this program, you’ll need to register with a partner you want to learn with. Your partner will learn and trade sessions with you during the training.

Ellen Watson

Ellen Watson is a long standing member of faculty at the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California. During her time at Esalen in combination with time spent teaching and learning around the world, Ellen has intensively studied and developed a broad range of wellness practicies and modalities.

Ellen is a teacher of Esalen® Massage & Bodywork, Gabrielle Roth's 5Rhythms®, Holotropic Breathwork, Vibrance, Touching Essence and Wake Up & Roar.

At 71 years old and continuously travelling the world to teach, Ellen's lifestyle and state of being is a true advocation of the wellness practices she shares.

Rie Kuwahara

Rie has studied massage comprehensively for the past 2 decades and has been an Esalen® Massage Table Assistant at our Bali Trainings for the past 9 years. Currently undergoing certification to become an Esalen® Teacher, Rie has a vast wealth of knowledge and presence both on and off the massage table.

Rie is also a senior teacher for ITM Thai Yoga and Bodywork and the Director of Rocking Meditation Bodywork.

Venue & Accommodation

Mimpi Resort, Menjangan, Bali
On the North-West coast of Bali in the village of Banyuwedang, Mimpi looks out towards the Menjangan Island. The area is notorious as a hot-spot for diving and snorkelling and just a little further down the coast a regular dolphin hangout.

Mimpi's most special feature is its waters, as the resort is built across land with several natural hot springs. The careful architecture and landscaping makes for several shared natural hot spring pools across the 3 hectares of land. Inevitably the water and it's high mineral content is totally refreshing, rejuvenating and holds it's own healing qualities. For us the pools are perfect for aquatic bodywork, where we dance in the water to feel true fluidity.

Classes take place in the Wantilan. A large space with wooden floors, the sounds of birds and some gentle breezes. We decorate the wantilan with beautiful silk hangings and bring a range of equipment from musical instruments, to dancing scarves, yoga mats, yoga balls and of course an excellent sound system!

Patio Room

Mimpi's standard room is the patio. Stylishly finished and available with twin or double beds these rooms are home for most of our students through programs and regularly receive excellent feedback.

The rooms are spacious and very comfortable, making them easy to share with another guest whilst maintaing plenty of personal space.

Courtyard Villa

The Courtyard Villa is a pleasant and affordable upgrade to the patio room. With it's own garden and it's own private hot spring tub, the CY Villa is a taste of luxury.

The CYV also has an additional mezzanine that is perfect for families with children or private space for meditation.

A further addition is the private garden terrace and outdoor seating area making this ideal for sitting in the open air sunshine whilst keeping some peaceful solitude, alone or with your partner. If booking a shared space in this room category, you must book with a partner.