Whitney Bell is an Esalen® Massage teacher and somatic practitioner.
She has trained extensively in Esalenn Massage, Deep Bodywork, craniosacral approaches, breathwork, and Gestalt-informed facilitation. At the EMGV, Whitney offers Deepening Presence in the Pause and Gestalt Awareness Practice.
Robin Fann-Costanzo
Robin Fann-Costanzo (USA) has practiced and taught Esalen® Massage for more than thirty years. Based in Asheville, she brings a trauma-aware approach to teaching and serves as Chair of the EMBA and as part of the EMGV26 organization team. At the Gathering she will lead the Massage Legacy Panel and offer her workshop “An Esalen® Massage Approach to Trauma”.
Read moreBrita Ostrom
Brita Ostrom (USA) was part of the early Esalen® Massage circle in Big Sur. With over five decades of teaching and practice, she helped shape the form, language, and felt philosophy of the work. At EMGV26 she offers her Masterclass “The Practitioner Elixir” and joins the evening Massage Legacy Panel.
Read moreIngrid May
Ingrid May (Germany) discovered Esalen® Massage as a young woman in Big Sur and later co-founded the Oasis School of Massage in Buenos Aires. She now teaches internationally. At EMGV26 she offers two courses: “Continuum meets Esalen® Massage” and “Working on the Neck.”
Read moreEllen Watson
Ellen Watson (USA) entered the Esalen Massage lineage in the early 1980s and trained with Grof, Roth, King, and Streeter. Her teaching blends breath, movement, sound, and grounded presence. At EMGV26 she offers Grof Legacy Breathwork and co-leads Sound and Scent in Esalen Massage with Daniela Urbassek.
Read moreNora Matten
Nora Matten (Germany/USA) discovered Esalen® Massage in 1999, where touch became a path of openness, coming home to the body, healing, presence, and inner renewal. She invites practitioners to explore and receive in community — a celebration of touch as a shared language. At the EMGV Gathering, she offers a one-day side-lying Esalen Massage workshop.
Read moreDaniela Urbassek
Daniela Urbassek (USA/Germany) brings more than thirty years of experience in Esalen® Massage, Oriental Medicine, and somatic arts. At EMGV26 she offers Esalen Massage & Meridian Points and co-teaches Sound and Scent in Esalen Massage with Ellen. Her teaching invites flow, sensory presence, and grounded awareness.
Read moreJingni Wang
Jingni Wang (China) blends movement, somatics, and cultural dialogue in her approach to Esalen® Massage. She helped establish Esalen Massage in China. At EMGV26, she offers Wu Wei in Esalen Massage, inviting practitioners into movement that is clear, effortless, and deeply present. She warmly welcomes the global community into this shared field of touch.
Read moreAnne-Kareen Thielen
Anne-Kareen Thielen (Germany) is a pediatric physiotherapist with decades of experience in touch, movement, and embodied learning. She weaves Esalen® Massage with dance, yoga, and Gestalt-based awareness. At EMGV26 she offers an early-morning Authentic Movement practice and the full-day workshop “Belly, Heart & Hands – From Structure to Flow in Esalen® Massage.”
Read moreElke Bartsch
Elke Bartsch (Germany) invites practitioners to “follow your joy” and remember that Esalen® Massage is, at heart, a quiet love letter to humanity. At the EMGV she offers an Early Morning Practice with a Walking Meditation, and a workshop on Unusual Massage Positions — playful explorations that awaken creativity and joy.
Read moreEva-Maria Leve
Eva-Maria Leve (Germany) organizes and coordinates Esalen® Massage trainings with steady care for lineage and community. At the Gathering, she co-teaches with Nina Ottenheym a one-day workshop on Deep Structural Work — Liberating the Lower Back and Hips, and offers a quiet Morning Pilates session.
Read moreNina Ottenheym
Nina Ottenheym (Germany) discovered Esalen® Massage in a tender life moment, when touch opened a path back to trust. Her teaching invites curiosity and steady listening to the body. At the Gathering, she co-teaches with Eva Deep Structural Work - Liberating the Lower Back and Hips and offers morning Yin Yoga and Hologenic Breathwork for grounded presence each day.
Read moreLili Imboden
Lili Imboden (Switzerland) is a co-organizer of EMGV26 and brings experience in presence, movement, and bodywork. She offers a Soul Motion Moving Meditation as an early morning practice and, together with Anne, leads the full-day workshop “Belly, Heart & Hands – From Structure to Flow in Esalen® Massage” for practitioners.
Read morePatrick Stockstill
Patrick Stockstill (USA) is a long-time Esalen® Massage practitioner and founder of Bhakti Massage. His approach is devotional and heart-centered, weaving presence, movement, and touch. At EMGV26 he joins the Faculty and is part of the organization team, offering an early morning Song Circle with Lili for grounded community connection practice.
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