Esalen Massage
by Steve Purcell
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DVD details
Actor: Esalen Institute Massage staffDirector: Steve Purcell
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Spanish (Unknown); German (Unknown)
Format: NTSC
Running Time: 85 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-25
Studio: At Peace Video
DVD Reviews of Esalen Massage
DVD Review: Wonderful, although sometimes misunderstood
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a male Certified Esalen Massage Practitioner with a practice in California, and it's apparent from reading the other reviews that there's a good deal of misunderstanding about the way Esalen Massage is practiced out here.
First, the draping used in this DVD is not typical of the way that I work, nor is it typical of the approach used by any other bodyworker I know. And in Esalen Massage training, held outside of Esalen, standard draping techniques are taught. I'm not opposed to giving a session with a more flexible approach to modesty issues, with a lover or friend, or with another bodyworker, but when dealing with the general public such an approach would be not just inconsiderate and unethical, it would be professional suicide.
In the many trips I've taken to Esalen, most often to watch the therapists work, I have yet to see a recipient draped as liberally as is shown on the DVD. The only "marginal" situations I have witnessed were the few occasions where members of the staff worked on each other, and even then draping was always used. At no time have I ever seen anything remotely improper in all the sessions I've observed.
The Esalen Massage DVD shows members of the staff working on each other: these are people who have reached a heightened comfort level with their own bodies and the bodies of others, and it's reasonable to understand that the liberal approach used by them in this context is not typical of the way the work is done outside of Esalen. After all, this DVD is not presented as a How-To for working with the general public. It was created years before Esalen Massage was first taught outside of Esalen, and was intended largely for people who were unfamiliar with the style and wanted to expand their approach to bodywork. And for that purpose it's very successful.
One reviewer suggested that "there obviously aren't strict ethical boundaries established" in California. That's both unfair and inaccurate. The city where I'm licensed is typical and has regulations as long as your arm, covering everything from draping to proper attire to exchange of gratuities. Some cities require national certification, which tends to eliminate all but the most dedicated practitioners, and one has to take an assortment of medical tests to become licensed. I should add that as a male practitioner in a female-dominated industry I have had to be especially careful of boundary issues. It's hard enough to get female clients on my table because of trust issues, and the last thing I want to do is give them a reason to not come back.
I was taught during Esalen training, and I think it's excellent advice for all therapists, to always communicate well with the client. If you're not sure about something, ask! The only time I don't ask is when the issue concerns draping a female client, because some clients will be suspicious of the question itself. So I utilize standard draping techniques as a matter of course. If I've worked for some time with a client then sometimes the issue comes up in conversation organically. If it doesn't, I'm not going to mention it. I honor the client by communicating openly and giving them space to ask for what they want; if they don't ask, then that's their decision. I believe that because comfort levels vary so widely one has to be somewhat flexible, but at no time would I ever risk creating discomfort or fear in my clients.
I have a collection of instructional massage DVD's and tapes, and while I use many of them for technique, I use the Esalen DVD for inspiration. It offers a glimpse of a more profound approach to bodywork, and for myself and many other practitioners (as well as our clients!) it's proven to be a path to a deeper, more rewarding experience.
DVD Review: Depends on your expectations
Summary: 3 Stars
I feel somewhat disappointed of the DVD because it fell sort of my expectations. As a keen Lomi Lomi connoisseur, when I saw the trailer of Esalen, I was immediately thrilled by the concept of "the quality of touch". I enjoy integrating new techniques in my routines as I easily get bored doing the same thing all over a couple of times a day every day. The production of the Esalen DVD looked great, the setting totally fit the spirit they talked about in the trailer. I was hooked.
One thing I was right about: there isn't a better place to shoot a massage video, than Big Sur. The setting is very beautiful and relaxing and chosen with taste. In the first several minutes we are introduced the essence of Esalen massage and some general fundamentals. We are told that what sets it apart from other styles of massage is the attitude and the gentle care we put in our work. What I did not expect to learn is that it's totally free-style.
The way they decide to make it was include short segments of many practitioners talking about their interpretation of Esalen while showing various moves. I did not count but I believe there were at least 10 of them. So it's a full body massage and one therapist picks up where the previous one has left off. It's an interesting approach and obviously the idea was to show diversity and most of all to emphasize on personal approach and customization. However, I have some objections to this:
1. Watching so many people within 70 minutes was confusing to me. I believe they would have achieved more clarity if only 3 or 4 of them took turns speaking in the whole video.
2. There was nothing on the technical side of the massage. While I fully understand that they wanted to lay stress elsewhere, I did hope that they would actually *teach* some of what they showed. I saw several awesome moves but when I tried to apply them, the lack of instruction of how they are actually done made it very difficult for me. This is especially true for the side-lying position. They say "when you watch the DVD all over many times, you'll get the hang of them". But then again there are so many routines uploaded everywhere on the Internet.
3. I wish the practitioners on the DVD would at least show us a favorite `trick' of theirs or a signature move and break it down. Most times the camera is focused on what the hands are doing and we hear the voiceover but what about the posture and body mechanics?
4. The 10 and 20 minute routines are no routines in fact. They are excerpts from the full body massage. Nothing extra at all is added.
5. On the jewelcase it is said that "you'll be able to view the video (...) and at the same time give an Esalen massage to your husband, wife, friend or lover". Indeed, after viewing it I strongly believe it is geared towards massage therapists working on their intimate partners, rather than on clients. If this is the case/intention, I wish it had been more explicitly stated.
On a side note here, I don't agree with some of the other reviewers here on the subject of nudity in the DVD. It is our duty as massage therapists to inform our clients of the modalities of bodywork we practice and let them have their informed choice. I firmly believe that more conservative clients would always rather go for Swedish, than Esalen. We shouldn't worry about violating their privacy if they confirm they are comfortable with this modality in general and with minimal draping.
I am giving only 3 stars to this otherwise wonderful video because it fails to instruct. It's a carefully chosen setting and obviously an expensive production to make the way they did. This, however, has made the end product quite costly. I have a small collection of similarly priced massage videos most of which by Real Bodywork. It is the comparison to informative approach I saw there that made me determined to shave off the second star as well. If your primary goal when purchasing a massage video is to get detailed instruction with a breakdown, this may not be the right choice for you.
Nonetheless, I would like to recommend this video to:
-- MTs looking for a less formal approach to giving a massage to their spouses/SOs.
-- MTs interested in a more spiritual approach to treating their clients.
-- Anyone who's been at the EI and taken classes there. This is the perfect companion and a great reference to go by.
DVD Review: A Trip Back to Esalen
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently spent ten days at Esalen and enjoyed four wonderful massages. I wanted to reconnect to the Esalen energy and found this DVD.
It is wonderful, to see the Esalen and to re-experience the peaceful energry of the Esalen massage! This DVD is practical and easy to watch and learn. It is so peaceful I fell asleep before the end.
I highly recommend this DVD!
DVD Review: non-mechanistic massage
Summary: 5 Stars
5 stars because it's comprehensive and the only thing I wish it had was maybe an opportunity to listen to the way an Esalen massage practitioner would introduce this form of massage to a client for the first time, including some of the words he/she may say to client at the beginning and again at the end.
I personally have not been to Esalen, but have had massage from one trained there. The draping used was similar to that in the dvd here, and the LMT practiced in California. I was comfortable with the draping but again as another reviewer mentioned, as long as the therapist communicates with the client and is clear as to the client's preference, there is leeway for a variety of draping styles.
The dvd has a full 75 minute viewing option, as well as shorter mini sessions which cut to just the head/neck/shoulders and also the back sections of the same video in 10 and 20 minute sessions.
The music in the video is very nice: Michael Benghiat - check At Peace Music out!
I found it to be skillfully edited and some of the suggestions that resonated with me as a licensed massage therapist the most were:
-approach each massage with mindfulness
-the quality of attitude is more important than doing "a routine", and whenever one finds that he/she is "planning" the next move, the Esalen suggestion is to pause in your mind and refocus on the client and the moment at hand. Planning results in a mechanistic type of massage and believe it that your client will be able to tell the difference.
- alternate between long continuous strokes and smaller detail work to keep the massage flowing but not predictable, because if the client is able to predict your next move, it keeps them in their minds, while the practice of Esalen technique and the (unplanned) feeling of the massage will allow the client to fully relax, mind and body.
Highly recommended - but those who buy this DVD need to be open to the type of massage and mindfulness that is represented here. You probably know if that is you or not.
DVD Review: I watch this over and over
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a licensed massage therapist and I have learned much from this video. It's also a great video for someone who wants to give a massage to their loved one and is not a professional. The scenery is gorgeous and you can easily see the moves the therapists are doing. I hope to someday go to Big Sur, CA and get to experience the Esalen massage myself. Be forewarned, there is some nudity in this video. This massage technique involves long, continuous strokes unimpeded by a drape, sheet, or clothing. This is a very relaxing feeling and something everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing. I highly recommend this video.
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