Esalen Training Testimonials
Testimonial One
Arthur at work is analogous to seeing a great master play a classical instrument. The appearance seems to require little thought or effort as his hands glide gently, powerfully, lifting, rotating, and stretching limbs, following the contours. Watching him give a full massage his countenance was glowing and beautiful. It was powerful… poetry in motion.
Char brought an Earth Mother energy that I really responded to. She possesses a gentle, stable, soothing kind of voice, and playful spirit. Watching her move around the table while she worked, around the room while guiding how to open my aura, and with the body while doing massage provided a more expansive image of my own body in relation to the world. For me, she demonstrated a rhythmic rocking that really resonated with my being.
Arthur’s willingness to openly share his vulnerability a very effective tool for learning trust. This aspect of the class circle gatherings, and the energies that moved throughout the group were powerful moments of opening, healing, and loving.
Also, very effective for me was the diversity in movement, style, and communication of the 2-marvelous teachers in this course. As the end approached I began to sense something missing in my relationship to my body and the way I was moving it. As I watched Char demonstrate a full body massage, something clicked, and in the days that followed my relationship to movement while giving massage shifted organically to a place that feels natural for me.
Arthur cadaver slide show was informative and helpful in my understanding of muscle location and movement, as was the student representation of muscle groups. I also found the demonstration of the 4-bodies to be informative, and appreciated reminders throughout the coursework.
Occasionally, I would offer—or be given spontaneous feedback from my partner while practicing in class. I found these moments particularly helpful as it allowed me the opportunity to assess how I might improve the fluidity of what I was doing, or perhaps provide deeper pressure, in the moment it was occurring rather than trying to remember it for the next time. This didn’t happen in the early weeks necessarily, but later in the course as the number of strokes being practiced had increased.
The absolute most helpful aspect of the course for me has been the 2-instructors, as each of them developed my proficiency in different elements of the work uniquely through their observation, demonstration and voice.
Enriching: Song, gratitude, connection, movement, meditation, and divination tools all honoring the spiritual, enriched my experience deeply. I discovered love and forgiveness (of myself and others), truth and freedom through the journey of the heart this course led me on.
Also, the daily yoga practice was always invigorating.
Shambho and I reflect each other’s wounding in some interesting ways, and his willingness to engage with me about that in a vulnerable way was one of the most profound aspects of the class for me. (I didn’t mention this under #4 because it is so very personal to me.) The “constructive feedback” I had for him I gave to him personally, and I think that is where it is most appropriately directed. The piece that I want BTC to know is how willing he is to do the hard interpersonal work when students are also willing to engage at that level. I was not an easy student, and I appreciate there having been the space for me to grapple with what I needed to grapple with, and learn what I came to learn.
Shambho’s (Arthur) subject mastery is excellent, his passion to teach is evident, and his commitment to grow as a person and as a teacher is huge. He knows what his rough edges are and is striving to polish them. The world would be a better place if everyone approached their personal growth with such vigor.
I found Char’s teaching style to be highly compatible with my learning style, so it is easy to sing her praises as a teacher. I appreciate her gentleness, her openness to ideas that differ from her own, and her commitment to create a space in which everyone in the class feels heard. Her subject mastery is excellent. Her willingness to share her life experience teaches aspects of doing massage for a living that are invaluable to beginning students.