Dec 29, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026
Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
Come to dance and be danced! Move until you are moved.
Dance until the dancer disappears and only the dance remains.—Gabrielle Roth
The gateway of the body is a powerful vessel that allows
us to move and be moved. Together, we will dance into and through the gateway
of the new year, crossing the thresholds of past, present, and future. We will
honor the darkness of this season while igniting the light of prayer and hope
for the future, dancing out of distraction and into the focused space of
collective movement medicine.
If we have the courage to move the body, the heart and
mind can follow. Come open the gateway of your body by unlocking presence and
potential. Come see what is waiting for you on the other side. The 5Rhythms®, a
moving meditation practice, teaches us skills and tools to use in our everyday
lives that help us facilitate the union of presence-based awareness. The
rhythms — Flowing, Staccato, Chaos, Lyrical, and Stillness — allow us to
explore the true nature of who we are and how our energy moves in this world.
Seated meditation allows the space for quiet integration
of the nervous system. In the 5Rhythms, we engage in mindfulness while in
motion as a pathway to externalize energy. The two polarities of moving and
sitting meditation together mirror the dance of life and open the door to
cultivate peace, well-being, and balance.
Join us as we dance into the new year! No experience is
required. All workshop hours contribute to 5Rhythms teacher training
prerequisites.
This workshop includes optional sessions with Guest
Artist Martha Peabody focused on the investigation of the 5Rhythms Visual
Practice for personal and community ritual.This workshop includes optional
sessions with Guest Artist Martha Peabody and Maya Jaguar.
Join Martha for special sessions focused on the
investigation of the 5Rhythms Visual Practice for personal and community
ritual.
Join Maya on the sacred threshold of the new year for a
soul-stirring ritual honoring Yemayá, the Yoruba Goddess of the Ocean, mother
of creation, and guardian of transformation. Rooted in Afro-Brazilian tradition
and adapted with care for a diverse and inclusive community, this two-hour
ceremony invites you to release what no longer serves and call in the tides of
renewal.
NYE ceremony as part of the retreat experience — often a
gentle, ritualized closing/opening for participants.
The venue — Esalen Institute (Big Sur)
Setting: Dramatic coastal cliffs, hot springs, gardens,
and an emphasis on contemplative retreat. The location contributes strongly to
the overall experience (walking the grounds, soaking in the baths).
Jacey
On-campus logistics: Esalen offers shared and private
lodging options, communal meals, and workshop/timing structures; workshops
there often run as multi-day residential experiences. Expect simple, retreat-style
accommodations and included meals for residents.
Website: https://www.esalen.org/workshops/gateways-a-5rhythms-r-movement-and-mindfulness-retreat-12292025
