The tranquility of the location set the tone for a weekend of calming yoga, comfortable…read moreaccommodations and an excellent vegan food experience. I appreciated the small group format and the friendly management style.

Felt cared for, attended to, but no fuss and perfectly minimalistic. Draws interesting people who…read morewant a quality experience without the hoity toity or exorbitant price tag. Had a wonderful experience with Jahara: warm, focused, yet flexible with group rhythm. There are guides who insert their own agenda. She allows, and adds to the Sagrada experience. Many thanks. Will return, again.

It was a long walk to the office and no parking to be found within 3/4 mile. It made me late, so I…read moreran. Ended up sweaty, hot, and late when I finally went in, but at least they didn't cancel the appt on me. When I went in, I was feeling a lot less than pampered. A quiet nurse came in, told me I needed to wait for the nurse so she could assess me, and that after this time I wouldn't need that anymore. The nurse finally arrived, walked in, and asked me what I wanted to do. I mentioned I had botox in the past. She asked if I had any reactions to it, and I said no. She went and got a vial and asked how much I usually get and where. I had no idea. It has been years. She said "we usually do 30-40 units". I said "I have no idea how much I got last time." She said it didn't matter & she would have to do her best. She put in the needle and went around the eye spots and forehead. Then left the room. A very sterile and curt visit... possibly because I was late.... Because of their absolute complete lack of reliable parking within walking distance for people older than their 50's... I would think a med spa would make arrangements for easy parking for their patients. It's a no-brainer in customer service... especially "high end" med spas.

Rita was very attentive and did a good job. I usually get my Botox in the Bay Area and like when…read morethe esthetician let's me know how many units they will use and cost. I also like when they show me the box of Allergen/Botox and syringe units to ensure the validity of the service. Front Desk gentleman was very professional and check out was great.

Esalen always changes, fluid like the ocean is how they would want me to state it…read more *bring your own blanket. The spare blankets are one grade hire than packing blankets. The blanket on the bed was a thin whatever felt like a Target dormitory special. *Bring your own towel or two, you won't regret it. *The food, some of the changes are good, the coconut yogurt is amazing (I'm not vegan.) The salad, miso, soft boiled eggs are gone. The bread bar isn't a party like it used to be, uninviting and cramped is how I would describe it now. The breakfast classic. eggs, potatoes, meat is now served, although it's comforting, it's not the steamed chard I came for. Since I can remember, people always rave about the food, how healthy they are eating, what their bowel movement was like. Now you can maintain your mundane eating habits if you desire. I appreciated breaking people out of their dietary boxes. There was some shitaki dishes that I really appreciated in the evenings. * At one point I was approached by a very large man wearing all black, he asked for my room key, "for my own safety" it was a security guard. I was sitting in front of the lodge talking with a friend. We had been in the lodge talking but left to avoid him because we wanted our space. Then we had to engage with him and proved we belonged there. I've been to Esalen maybe 15 times and that was a first for me. I did not like it. *im still really irked about having to weasel a face cradle for the massage tables at the baths every time I attend. The cradles mount are 10" in case you couldn't find anyone on the phone to answer that question in advance. At the front desk you SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A DEPOSIT TO BORROW A FACE CRADLE. Hey Esalen, you have massage courses all the time, please instal a hand washing trough so we can sanitize like professionals. Esalen he's definitely priced out most of its massage students from getting a massage. Which is very ironic. I 100% just told a friend to take massage courses at Esalen the other day. You can't replace that foundation of education. Told him not to join the cult, just take the classes.

I've attended and followed Esalen for years and genuinely believe in the spirit of the work. That's…read morewhy this is hard to write. If you look at the website, you'll see strong language about inclusion and racial equity. But when you move from messaging to mechanics, a different picture emerges. Registration requires a 50% deposit upfront. At the lowest tier, that's about $490. For many workshops, it's $1,000+ depending on accommodations. That's due immediately. In a country with a well-documented racial wealth gap, large upfront deposits are not neutral. They disproportionately exclude people who don't have flexible cash on hand -- including many Black, Brown, Indigenous, and working-class folks. Scholarships are limited and require extensive financial disclosure. I've applied and was denied. When I recently asked if I could split the deposit into two payments, the answer was no. That's not just an inconvenience. That's a structural access issue. It's also difficult not to notice who is in the room. In many sessions, participants of color are limited. Most staff are white. Most teachers are white. For an organization that publicly centers equity language, the lived experience doesn't fully match the branding. I also reached out directly to members of the leadership team to raise these concerns. I received no response. That silence speaks volumes. Esalen offers meaningful programs. But equity isn't a value statement -- it's reflected in payment policies, hiring decisions, and who can realistically afford to say yes. If the goal is broader participation, installment options and more flexible access policies would be a straightforward place to begin. Right now, it's very clear who Esalen primarily serves and who they intend to include as part of the human potential movement.

Love Dharmas Infrared red hot classes and their restorative yoga classes the best. As a member I…read morealso use Wellness Lounge to use vibration plate and discounts on massage. With over 40 classes a week, and always on holidays, I can always find a class.

Dharma Yoga Loft is unlike anything I've ever experienced. As soon as you walk through the door,…read moreyou're greeted by a stunning curation of living plants that immediately put you at ease. Moving through the hall, you can already feel a sense of peace settling in. I love that they offer purified water at the base of the stairs -- with the option to add mineral salt if you choose (my personal fav!). At the top of the stairs, the beautiful loft space opens up as the main room. Sunlight pours through the windows, illuminating another collection of thriving plants, each brimming with prana, or life force energy. Step into the heated room and you'll find warm, welcoming lighting, a fun disco ball overhead, and the gentle warmth of infrared heating panels. Every prop you could need is provided -- and there's enough for everyone. The teachers are all incredible in their own unique ways. Dharma offers the most comprehensive class schedule in North County SLO, with start times ranging from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. The owner, Jena, is a truly special soul whose calming, present energy is felt the moment you meet her. The love and intention she's poured into this space is woven into every detail. Downstairs, there's a lovely wellness lounge featuring an array of healing modalities and a space for other practitioners to host workshops -- from Reiki trainings to massage to bio-tuning and beyond. The class variety is just as rich: from sweat-inducing, kick-your-butt Inferno Pilates to deeply gentle restorative yoga; from classic Hatha to candlelit flow and stretch classes taught by instructors from all walks of life. Dharma Yoga Loft is something truly special in Paso Robles -- a town that's still relatively sleepy to the conscious community. Jena has created a space that honors those ideals while remaining inviting and welcoming to everyone, whether or not they're already tuned in to higher frequencies. I cannot say enough good things about Dharma, it's truly a gem!