Deep Bodywork® Introductory Workshop
A two-day introduction to the principles of Deep Bodywork®.
Current & Upcoming Offerings
China
The Deep Bodywork® program is offered in collaboration with Jingni Wang.
New workshop dates are currently in planning.
Hamburg, Germany
An introductory workshop is planned for 2027.
Dates will be announced soon.
London, UK
An introductory workshop is planned for 2027.
Dates will be announced soon.
What is Deep Bodywork®?
Deep Bodywork® is an approach to touch that explores how depth can arise through presence, precision, and an understanding of the body’s natural organization rather than through force.
Developed by Perry and Johanna Holloman, it combines detailed anatomical knowledge with refined body mechanics, sensory awareness, and responsive touch. Rather than working against resistance, Deep Bodywork® invites practitioners to listen, adapt, and work with the body’s own capacity for change.
Whether addressing the spine, shoulders, hips, or other regions of the body, the intention remains the same: to support greater ease, mobility, and integration while maintaining a quality of presence for both practitioner and receiver.
What you’ll explore
Throughout the workshop, you’ll be introduced to the core principles that shape the Deep Bodywork® approach. Through demonstrations, guided practice, and partner exchanges, you’ll explore how depth can emerge through refined perception rather than increased effort.
During the workshop, you’ll explore:
Working with gravity instead of force
Refined body mechanics that support both practitioner and receiver
Listening through your hands and responding to what you feel
A practical understanding of fascia, anatomy, and the body’s natural organization
Slow, precise touch that supports ease, mobility, and integration
Giving and receiving feedback to deepen your learning
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is designed for experienced massage therapists, bodyworkers, and manual practitioners who would like to explore the principles of Deep Bodywork®.
Whether your background is in Esalen® Massage or another hands-on modality, the workshop offers an opportunity to deepen your skills through a more refined and responsive approach to touch.
Prerequisites
This workshop is intended for practitioners with previous professional training in massage or bodywork. It is not suitable for complete beginners.
If you’re unsure whether your background meets the prerequisites, I’d be happy to help you decide whether this workshop is the right fit for you.
What you’ll take with you
You’ll leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of the principles that shape the Deep Bodywork® approach, along with practical tools that can be integrated into your own bodywork practice immediately.
Beyond new techniques, many practitioners discover a different quality of working: greater ease in their own body, increased confidence in listening through their hands, and a more precise, responsive way of creating depth without relying on force.
Your next step
Below you’ll find all currently scheduled Deep Bodywork® workshops taught by Nina Ottenheym.
Each workshop is part of the official Deep Bodywork® learning pathway and may be taken individually unless otherwise stated.
New workshops will be added as dates become available.