Shake Loose: Fall Release With Yoga and Foam Rollers

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, your body knows it's time to let go. This five-day immersive workshop at Esalen Institute invites you to move with autumn's natural rhythm of release—using your breath, your movement, and the subtle intelligence of your own fascia to shed what no longer serves you. Led by Ulrika Engman, a certified Anusara and Halprin Life/Art practitioner, Shake Loose weaves together dynamic vinyasa flows, long-held restorative poses, and myofascial release techniques to help you navigate the seasonal shift toward winter with grace and grounding.

This is not a typical yoga workshop. Rather than offering conceptual teachings about letting go, you'll embody the practice through concrete somatic techniques—discovering your own wisdom through direct experience in your body. The work bridges the tension between holding and releasing, meeting you exactly where you are as you prepare for the quieter, more introspective months ahead. Whether you're struggling with seasonal shifts to your sleep and energy, feeling stuck in chronic tension, or simply ready to recalibrate your nervous system, this retreat offers a pathway toward deeper rest, embodied awareness, and resilience.

Set in the legendary Big Sur sanctuary of Esalen Institute, surrounded by redwoods and ocean cliffs, you'll practice in an environment specifically designed to support transformation. Five days here means five days away from the noise of daily life—five days to listen to your body's own signals and reconnect with its natural patterns of activity and rest.

What to Expect

Each day blends alignment-based asana, stillness through savasana, and soft foam rolling to awaken both proprioceptive awareness and emotional resilience. You'll move through dynamic vinyasa sequences designed to warm and mobilize the body, then settle into longer-held poses that cultivate surrender. Foam rolling sessions teach you how to access and release tension held deep in the fascia—often where emotions and old patterns live. The arc of the workshop carries you progressively deeper into rest: cultivating better sleep habits, grounding your nervous system, and rekindling trust in your body's wisdom. By the final day, you'll leave with a tangible toolkit of somatic practices—breathing techniques, movement sequences, and self-care rituals—that anchor the seasonal transition and support your wellbeing through winter and beyond.

Venue & Logistics

Shake Loose takes place at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, October 5–9, 2026. The institute is a world-renowned retreat center perched on the dramatic California coast, offering both natural beauty and a contemplative atmosphere ideal for deep practice. Wear comfortable, breathable clothing suitable for gentle to moderate movement, and bring any personal props you prefer (your own mat and blocks are welcome, though Esalen provides these). The venue is accessible by car; arrive with an open heart and a willingness to unplug.