The Heart of Relationship: A Weekend of Gestalt Inquiry for Couples and Friends

What happens when two people—whether lovers, friends, or family—pause long enough to truly see each other? This weekend workshop at Esalen Institute invites you into the tender, transformative terrain of conscious relationship. Led by Johanna and Perry Holloman—partners for over thirty years—The Heart of Relationship offers a rare opportunity to deepen relational presence through Gestalt Inquiry, a structured practice that moves beyond advice and into embodied wisdom.

At Esalen's clifftop sanctuary in Big Sur, California, you'll learn the lived practices that sustain intimacy through life's difficult passages. Rather than relying on formulas or communication scripts, this workshop transmits breath, movement, and meditation as the foundation for true presence. You'll discover how attuned listening rewires defensive patterns, how co-regulation transforms activation into compassion, and how honest contact—with all its vulnerability—becomes possible. Whether you're navigating romantic partnership, deepening friendship, honoring family bonds, or any relationship where trust matters, this work applies directly to your life.

The weekend moves at a contemplative pace, honoring both the intelligence of the body and the depth of the heart. All genders and sexual orientations are welcome.

What to Expect

This is not a lecture series or a seminar with passive listening. Johanna and Perry create a structured container where instruction alternates with direct practice and integration. You'll learn the mechanics of attuned communication and the subtle recognition of withdrawal patterns—then practice these insights in real time, supported by skilled facilitation. The work includes guided meditation, conscious movement, breathwork, and peer dialogue. Participants leave with embodied tools for presence, a clearer understanding of their relational patterns, and a direct experience of what becomes possible when two people meet with honesty and care.

Venue & Logistics

This workshop takes place at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, one of the world's most renowned retreat centers. The weekend begins Friday, August 28, 2026. Wear comfortable clothing suitable for movement and meditation. Esalen's grounds include hot springs, gardens, and ocean vistas—bring what supports your own rest and integration. Check Esalen's accessibility information for specific accommodations.