The Esalen Institute was started by two young men (Dick Price and Michael Murphy) in the early 1960s and played an important role in developing what subsequently became known as ‘the human potential movement’. This had a rather wild aspect in the 60s, with all the counter-culture and drugs influence. In the 70s and 80s it was dominated by the Gestalt theories and practice of Fritz Perls, and there is a strong Gestalt influence on the campus to this day. Currently they provide a multitude of courses which follow on in the traditions of self-development. One of the chief glories of the stunningly beautiful site is the newly-modernised hot springs baths, rebuilt a few years ago after the original baths slid into the sea during the El Nino-inspired storms of 1998. The baths are famously ‘clothing-optional’ (but the few prudes who venture into them clad cautiously in swimsuits tend to look a bit ridiculous). The food is delicious, generally, with plenty of opportunities to eat healthily if that is your choice.

In 1982, Skyros was a long ferry-ride from Athens, and relatively undeveloped. At the time, it offered a chance for people to get away from it all, but in the context of a temporarily-created ‘demos’ or co-operative community of about 80-90 people, housed largely in bamboo huts close to nature. Today it is a bit more developed, but still a long ferry-ride from Athens! And the bamboo huts are still in use. Writing courses take place in Skyros Town, while Atsitsa develops more the physical side of things, with its yoga, sailing, windsurfing and various arts courses, including, naturally, Susie’s unique and very popular singing and painting courses.

This is simply to acknowledge our late webmaster, the enormously talented singer and website designer Brian Galliford, who built this site for us. We remember his helpfulness, charm and cleverness, with gratitude.