THE DESCENT · MULTI-DAY RETREATSWhat is a descent?A descent is a guided journey from your thinking mind into your body, using breath, stillness, and play to access a state of presence and authentic aliveness.
Come deeperIf you are ready for more than a taste, come to a retreat to descend deeper into the work. Over several days you'll unravel to feel lighter as you unearth the child within you. The practice begins with stillness and breath, then moves into the physical games and rituals that give birth to organic and authentic play. Descend from the mind and come back to the body, the breath, the room, the people around you. There is nothing to learn. Simply come back home.
Upcoming RetreatsSeptember 25 to 27, 2026
Esalen Institute - Big SurSOLD OUT
Clown Church: Mindfulness, Healing, and Your Deepest Self
Unravel the clown within.
Your clown is the most authentic, playful version of you. In this immersive workshop, Jet Eveleth guides you out of your head and into your body, exploring clowning as a spiritual practice: balancing light and shadow while laughing at your attachments. Through improvisation, meditation, altered states, and movement, you'll drop into a sacred container of nonverbal games and rituals that summon the child within. No performing, no pressure, just an invitation to get lost inside yourself and play. There's nothing to learn here, only something to uncover. Come soft, brave, and available. Come unprepared.
January 1 to 3, 2027
Esalen Institute - Big SurSacred Clown: Presence in Play
Unravel the clown within.
In play we can discover a curious version of ourselves, while balancing our light and shadow and laughing at our attachments. This workshop invites us to be soft, brave, and available to the moment. This is an immersive practice that explores our most vulnerable and creative self.
Using tools found in improvisation, meditation, altered states, and movement practice, we will explore clowning around as a spiritual practice. The work begins with exercises that help you drop into the body and descend from the mind to access the flow state. With the foundation of a sacred container, we will engage in primarily nonverbal, physical games and rituals that give birth to organic impulses inspired by the child within. There is no pressure to perform, but an invitation to get lost inside yourself, an openness to go beyond your comfort zone, and a willingness to play within the moment.
There is nothing to learn but rather much to uncover, to allow us to move through life in a more open state, with a greater connection to ourselves and the world. This workshop is physical, open, and accessible for diverse bodies. Come unravel the child within! Please come unprepared.
Beyond Esalen