“I often say that, you know, I was born up in San Francisco, and I spent most of my childhood on the base of Mount Tam, Mount Tamalpais, but my heart and my lineage is from Big Sur and from Esalen.”
For Mac Murphy, the Esalen Institute is more than a place of study; it is the "wellspring and the bosom" of his family’s history. As the son of Michael Murphy, the co-founder of Esalen, Mac’s life has been an ongoing dialogue with the land and the community of Big Sur. Though his early years were spent in the northern shadows of Mount Tamalpais, he describes a lifelong connection to the Institute that transcends mere physical presence.
Finding the Beat Within the Soundtrack
Despite being born into the heart of the human potential movement, Mac’s path into the practice of massage was a journey of individual discovery.
“Esalen massage was always the background of my life — like the soundtrack of a movie. But I had to find my own rhythm within it.”
He recalls the early sensory experiences of his childhood, including the simple act of massaging his father’s feet as a toddler. However, it was not until his work-study program in 2005 that he began to find his own "beat" within the tradition. After years of studying human development, holistic health, and various movement arts, he returned to the source. This return was a conscious step to take the language of his lineage and speak it through his own hands, leading him to complete his teacher training to carry the work forward.
The Elemental Lens of Touch
In his teaching and practice, Mac invites students to view the body not through the lens of protocol, but through the lens of the natural world.
“When we touch the skin, we are touching water, earth, and space at the same time.”
This "elemental lens" is central to his approach. He encourages practitioners to move away from rigid structures and instead listen to the elemental qualities present in the moment of touch. By mirroring the weight of the earth and the flow of the Pacific, he helps students find a way of being that is deeply grounded and inherently fluid. For Mac, this is an awareness practice—a way of meeting the person on the table with a profound and embodied presence.
Carrying the Living Tradition
For Mac, the work is about stewardship and the preservation of a "living tradition." He sees himself as an ambassador for the "medicine of the land," honoring the teachers who came before him while making the work accessible to a new generation.
“I bring that old lineage connection to the Institute and my family.”
He credits his growth to the mentors who helped him find his own voice, including Perry and Johanna Holloman, Vicki Topp, and Jessica Fagan. His focus remains on "Elemental Embodiment," integrating his studies in qigong and somatic inquiry into the Esalen lineage. He views the work as an alliance—between the practitioner, the client, and the lineage—grounded in respect for the land and the indigenous Esselen Tribe who first held this space.
Synergy in the Global Village
A vital part of Mac’s current path is his collaboration with fellow teacher Lance Weihmuller. They are preparing to bring their combined energy to the Esalen Massage Global Village, viewing their different approaches as a way to enrich the experience for the community.
“I love collaborating with other teachers... there’s a playfulness between us and our connection. And I feel like I really see them.”
Before arriving in Switzerland, they will be teaching together in Austin, Texas, in June. Mac sees this "trial run" as an essential step to deepen their connection and refine the synergy they will offer to the students this summer. It is a partnership built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the transformative power of the work.
At the Global Village, Mac and Lance will offer an Introductory Workshop over four days.
This space is open to everyone — also to those who are not Esalen Massage Practitioners.
It is a gentle doorway into the field.
A chance to experience the practice, the community, and the rhythm of learning together. For many, this workshop becomes a first step into a wider journey.
A way to be part of this international gathering, held by experienced and present teachers.
You can learn more about the course and find all details here:
→ Esalen® Massage — The Basics
An Invitation to the Swiss Mountains
As Mac prepares to share his medicine with the international community, he invites you to explore the intersection of lineage, nature, and touch. To learn more about his work, his practice, and his current projects, you are warmly invited to visit his website at macmurphy.co.
“I look forward to meeting you and supporting you in your educational journey and your embodiment of Esalen Massage.”
