Soma & Soul Retreat at Esalen
March 13-15, 2026

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Come Home to Self through Somatic Wisdom, Embodied Relating, Voice & Dance

 Somatics · Embodied Relating · Dance· Expressive Movement · Vocal Activation · Breathwork

Longing for experiences that nourishes your body, stir your soul, and transform how you connect—with yourself, others, and the world?

Craving deeper intimacy and fuller expression—in your relationships, your creativity, and your everyday life?

Want tools to build and sustain connection that meet you somatically, emotionally, and energetically?

Then join us for:

Soma & Soul:
Transformational experiences in somatics, embodied expression, voice and dance

Relationships are the foundation of our lives.

Soma & Soul sessions combine some of the most robust, impactful, and potent frameworks for expression and connection out there.

Through a rich blend of conscious relating, embodiment practices, dance, and vocal activation, Soma & Soul experiences offer a unique, holistic curriculum for full-spectrum intimacy.

In service of personal and interpersonal expansion, we’ll learn, practice and play in somatic, emotional, and relational connection.

This is an intimate journey into the heights and depths of what it means to be human together.

Immerse in Relational & Personal Expansion:

 

“This combination was really genius. The whole thing together was like psycho-emotional surgery…

It was just masterful.”

- Sascha, Ayurvedic Therapist

Highlighted Testimonials

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    Sascha | Ayurvedic Therapist - Los Angeles, CAa

    “This combination was really genius. The whole thing together was like psycho-emotional surgery. I felt like I was on aya for 6 days! It was just masterful—the way this was combined felt so safe despite any lack that I felt exploring certain things personally. The way everything was held and facilitated felt really good.I am so grateful—like major major.

    My entire life is changing now. In a way that's been long hoped… I'm noticing a greater saturation of myself in my own body. And I have internalized a big bag of new tools. This retreat even clicked some things into place for the work that I want to do in the world!”

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    Dan | Therapist & Coach - Boulder, CO

    “This retreat was a wonderful time. The care put into the container was palpable and in service of opening. And the permission, ohhh so much permission to be and feel and open and experience and grow.

    Ash’s facilitation was refined and inclusive and beautiful. I left this experience with new lasting connections, and I feel lucky to have said yes to this unique moment in time!”

  • Brian | Naturopathic Doctor - OC, CA

    I had such a nourishing, balancing experience.

    The setting was beautiful, the people were emotionally mature, and I got to walk away with a clearer sense of my purpose and how that shows up in my body through movement and connection… the 6-days flew by!

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    Olivia | Actress - Los Angeles, CA

    “This retreat was a life changing experience for me. I had been to other Authentic Relating events before but this one was by far the most profound, healing, and meaningful—thanks to the people who were there, the skillful facilitation, the pairing with Contact Improv, and the time spent in Nature.

    The facilitators created such a strong container that allowed for so much vulnerability and deep connection, and the pairing with Contact Improv, which is naturally so regulating and also encourages connection to one's body, brought a beautiful balance of mental and physical engagement. I can't say enough about how beautiful and profound the connection between Contact Improv and Authentic Relating is, with both encouraging and teaching such a strong connection to self and other. 

    And because naturally intense emotions can arise when you are living and relating closely to 20 something people, it was so beautiful and healing to be able to co-regulate through platonic physical touch and dance and connection from 20 something amazing humans, and learn tools to honor self and other in the midst of those emotions.

    I grew so much, experienced more joy and connection than I thought possible in a week, and made life long friends.  It is an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

  • Adriana | Therapist - LA, CA

    I got in contact with a part of myself that needed to be found. I had so many wonderful, profound moments.

    I really got to see how I relate to myself and others… and as a therapist, I would recommend anyone to come to this retreat—there will be a profound shift in your soul.

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    Daniel | Engineer - Santa Cruz, CA

    “What a life changing retreat—by far my favorite.

    It felt so good to be part of this group. This well-networked, healthy group. I felt more comfortable there from day 1 than any other retreat. And I felt like the best version of myself: I was self-expressed and seen and accepted and appreciated and loved—and I loved myself.

    It was easeful and enjoyable to be present and embodied. The way the space was held from the beginning: humble, respectful, open. Following and honoring what's alive when needed and not always adhering to the schedule. Transparency over hiding. Empowering individuals and the group…

    Most importantly, loving the people there helped me love aspects of myself. The one who is quiet, shy, suspicious. The one who speaks slowly. The one who struggles to take up space. The one who wants connection but doesn't know how to initiate. The one who is lonely. The one who doesn't know how to be vulnerable. The one who is insecure about being a beginner. The one who doesn't smile often, but shines so beautifully when they do smile.

    I loved them all, and learned that all in me is lovable too.”

  • Benjamin | Senior Capture Director - LA, CA

    I am leaving feeling nourished and deeply grounded… I feel more confident taking up space. And more confident being close with others.

    The 6-day time frame allowed for going deep and integrating everything this retreat offers—which is so much!

    I had an idea of what I thought I would get out of this—and I got so much more.

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    Marie | Dance Teacher & Artist - Los Angeles, CA

    “This retreat was a unique, magical, holistic movement and relating experience unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.I came in with CI experience and no AR experience, and instantly felt welcomed. The facilitators created such a generous sharing space, and navigated between vulnerability, joy, laughter, grief, deep feeling, and celebration with grace and consideration for the whole collective. I rejoiced in each dance, and can say with 100% confidence that I experienced a profound shift in my connection to myself, as well as a clarity around the kind of relationships I desire in my life.

    Ash’s facilitation was honest and empathetic, and I felt that they were simultaneously a leader I could depend on and a peer I could relate to. That kind of generous leadership is rare, and Ash has that balanced capability in abundance.”

  • Tracy | Physician - Lafayette, CA

    The space was held for personal transformational AND group connection. I felt so deeply held and seen by this group and the process. Highly recommend.

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    Kevin | Facilitator - Las Vegas, Nevada

    “My experience of this retreat was beautiful and deep. The practices and facilitation offered allowed for a felt sense of connection in the group, and this helped my body to feel relaxed and open, which brought a feeling of belonging. I whole heartedly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to feel more at home and welcome in their body, and I would Love to be immersed in this container again.”

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    Katie | Natural Chef - Sebastopol, CA

    “I attended this retreat at a crucial transition time in my life. I had NO idea what I was getting myself into, but when I signed up, I KNEW I had to be there. A friend at the time mentioned I should look into Authentic Relating, that I was already practicing it on my own. I didn't know what I was practicing was "a thing" until I stumbled upon this retreat. And while I had a dance practice too, I was very new to Contact Improv.

    When I saw the unique combination of of this retreat, I trusted my gut YES and applied immediately. I returned home from the retreat with my heart blasted open, a deepening and thriving relationship with AR & CI, and heartfelt relationships that I continue to tend.”

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    Teri | Actress - Los Angeles, CA

    “This retreat was more than I could’ve ever hoped for. Participating alongside my partner was the cherry on top, and SO valuable to the future of our relationship. It truly solidified our union. Thank you.”

I grew so much, experienced more joy and connection than I thought possible in a week, and made life long friends.

This retreat was an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

- Olivia, Actress

The fusion that makes Soma & Soul so potent—and so transformative…

Why we weave relational and embodiment practices together

Authentic Relating (AR) and conscious connection frameworks invite us to engage in deep, meaningful, soulful connection with anyone, anytime, anywhere. In learning the principles of Authentic Relating and Somatics, we arrive at Embodied Relating: a whole-self approach to relating.

Through this work, we move beyond unconscious habits and step into empowered, integrated ways of being.

Through Embodied Relating practices:

  • We gather the capacity and skill for full self-expression.

  • We access the wisdom of the body for real-time knowledge, resource, and true intimacy.

  • We welcome more parts of ourselves and in turn welcome more each other and the world.

  • We enable ourselves to practice courageous vulnerability, growing beyond our comfort zone as we dance along our Tender Edge.

  • We learn the potency of deep listening and empathy, developing the ability to truly Be With and meet people at their core.

  • We increase our access to present moment awareness and relational attunement.

How do movement and dance enrich this experience?

Movement and dance unlock the wisdom of the body, providing a powerful avenue for whole-self access and authentic expression that transcends words, fostering deeper connection to self and others.

Through these movement practices:

  • We learn the trust and artistry of moving in connection.

  • We develop embodied listening and embodied presence.

  • We find strength and possibility in counterbalance and shared movement.

  • We celebrate the potential of the human body and our bodies' combinations.

  • We learn the mechanics of our forms, and how to creatively express somatically for ourselves and in connection to others.

  • We increase our access to present moment awareness and relational attunement.

  • We unfurl the core humanness and magic of creative, playful connection that goes beyond words.

ENTER: the Soma & Soul Experience

As we practice together in these ways, we open ourselves to the potential of deeper trust, more beauty and creativity, increased fulfillment in connection, and rewarding relationships to ourselves and others as we expand into personal and relational potential.

Amazing, Right?

“This was a unique, magical, holistic movement and relating experience unlike anything I’ve ever experienced…

I can say with 100% confidence that I experienced a profound shift in my connection to myself.”

- Marie, Teacher

FAQ

  • Whether a half-day workshop or a 6-day retreat, Soma & Soul experiences are intentionally designed to blend connection, embodiment, and nervous system support.

    Shaped by a mix of:

    • Authentic Relating & Embodied Relating

    • Authentic Movement, Freeform Dance, and other expressive movement practices

    • Song Circles and Vocal Activation

    • Breathwork, meditation, and group rituals

    If we had to break it down, Soma & Soul experiences are:

    • ½ Somatic practices & Embodied Relating

    • ½ Expressive practices through through vocal activation, movement, & dance

    This is truly a full-body, full-heart journey—and the magic happens in how it all weaves together.

  • Soma & Soul is for seekers, feelers, and curious humans who want to live—and relate—more fully.

    It’s especially resonant for folks who:

    • Are drawn to embodiment, presence, and aliveness

    • Crave depth in community, not just connection

    • Are LGBTQ+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, or otherwise tired of contorting to belong

    • Want to feel at home in their body, voice, and truth

    You do not need experience with movement or relating practices to attend—just a willingness to explore at your own tender edge.

  • Vocal Activation is an invitation to connect with the essence of your voice in a playful, welcoming, and liberating space.

    We’ll explore a range of vocal practices—from warmups and harmonies to improvisational group singing, vocal play, to Circle Songs.

    You’ll be guided to let go of inhibition, tap into your authentic sound, and experience the power of your voice in community. Whether it’s through creative sounding, layered rhythms, or co-creation, we’ll unlock the voice as a channel of self-expression and collective connection.

  • Yes. We believe these experiences are enriched by diversity, representation, and accessibility.

    Depending on the event, varying scholarships or discounts are offered. Please reach out to inquire about what’s available per event.

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    Want to contribute to the Scholarship Fund?
    You can donate here: https://www.ashwitham.com/support-scholarships