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Practitioners’ Gathering Program

Welcome to the Esalen® Massage Global Village 2026 — four days of learning, practice, and community, from July 8–12 at Kientalerhof in Switzerland. The rhythm is simple and spacious — designed to support your body, your curiosity, and your rest.

The Esalen Massage Global Village includes both the Practitioner Gathering
and a guided Introduction to Esalen Massage for participants new to the practice.

You can choose the path that fits your experience during registration..

Seminar room at Kientalerhof with massage tables and a meditation circle, surrounded by large windows opening to nature views

Arrival and first evening (Wednesday)

You may check in at Kientalerhof from 14:00 to settle into your room and enjoy the surroundings.
Our gathering officially begins on Wednesday at 17:00 with the Opening Circle.
Afterward, we share dinner, followed by a gentle evening program to arrive in community.

Optional: If you wish, you may already arrive on Monday as a private guest of the seminar house. This gives you two extra days to enjoy the quiet beauty of Kiental, explore the mountains, and go hiking before the gathering begins.

The Daily Rhythm (Thursday–Saturday)

For the next three days the rhythm is steady: mornings begin with awakening practices and teacher-choice workshops. After lunch and a good rest, the afternoons continue with more workshops. In the evenings we come together for circles, singing, movement, music, or quiet spaces for massage exchange.

07:00 – 08:00 Morning Awakening (meditation, somatic movement, or a quiet walk)
08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 12:30 Morning Workshops
12:30 – 15:00 Lunch and Rest
15:00 – 18:30 Afternoon Workshops
18:30 – 19:30 Dinner
20:00 – Evening Community Gathering

We have five seminar rooms at our disposal, and each day there will be workshops offered in every room. This gives you a wide range of choices and enough space to learn and practice in smaller groups.

An online registration tool will be available for those who register and pay the event fee for the whole gathering. With this tool, you can select in advance which teachers and workshops you would like to join.

Faculty assignments are subject to change. If a teacher is unable to lead their scheduled workshop due to illness or other unforeseen events, the organizing team will arrange for a qualified substitute.

Closing Day (Sunday)

On Sunday morning our teachers will guide supervision sessions in the workshop rooms. After lunch we gather once more for a Closing Ritual — giving thanks, sharing farewells, and completing the circle together. The gathering ends at 14:30.

A group of esalen massage students at Kientalerhof

You choose your own rhythm — whether that means many workshops, more time in nature, or simply space to rest.

View the Detailed Program

Our detailed program is alive and continues to gently evolve.
To keep everything clear and current, the full schedule is maintained in one shared place.

Here you can explore the complete program online, always reflecting the most recent updates.

View the Full Program (Live)

You can also download a PDF version for easy offline reading.

Registration and Prices

Now that you have explored the detailed program, you are warmly invited to take the next step and join the gathering.

Registration confirms your place in the Global Village and gives you access to the workshops, community spaces, and shared practice.
All details about registration options and prices are available via the link below.

Registration and Prices

After registration, you will also receive access to the Village Portal — our shared digital home for the Global Village.
It is the central place where all practical details, resources, updates, and shared materials come together before, during, and after the gathering.

Beyond the Gathering

The Esalen Massage Global Village is a shared, lived experience — and its influence does not end when our days together in Kiental come to a close.

Beyond the Gathering, selected materials and reflections may be shared with care through the Village Portal, always with the consent of the teachers. These offerings are not meant to replace the live experience, but to gently support the integration of what has been learned into daily practice and professional life.

Over time, insights from the Gathering may also inform future learning formats, developed slowly and thoughtfully, in alignment with the spirit and values of the work.

What to bring

Kientalerhof provides massage tables, chairs, and one set of linens for each participant.
Please bring the following items with you:

  • An extra set of linens (if you need more than one).

  • Your own massage oil (no glass bottles, please).
    A small refillable bottle with sunflower oil will be available on site for a small price if needed.

  • A small towel or cloth to cover the chest during massage sessions.

  • A large bath towel, in case you or your partner feel cold on the table

  • A face cradle cover (headrest cover) for the massage table.

  • A pair of socks to protect the floors when getting up from the massage table.

  • A large bag to carry your linens and oil, with a name tag.

  • If you come by car: an extra massage table and cushions for the side-lying position are very welcome.
    → Please contact Lili at info@esalenmassageschweiz.ch if you can bring these.

  • Hiking gear if you want to explore the trails around Kiental.

  • A swimsuit for the natural swimming pond.

women swimming in a pond at kientalerhof