What happens on one of these gay naked yoga retreats?
What happens on a gay naked yoga retreat?
Deciding to join any retreat is a big deal. It’s a big decision - and a very brave one! Well done for even making it this far and reading this blog.
Below I give you a brief idea of that happens on one of my retreats. We have a lot of fun. We get some truly incredible men from all over the world joining us.
We eat great food. Out of this world food! Retreats can be deep and emotional, they can be silly and playful, they can be the whole spectrum of what makes us human.
It’s a space where we meet ourselves and each other just as we are. In truth, and authenticity. It’s brave, courageous, vulnerable, and life changing.
Many wonder if it’s a very sexual space. After all it’s a group of gay men, naked together, in hot sunshine. Sounds sexy right?!
The truth as always is a little more complicated than the fantasy. Sure, often there is chemistry and connection and excitement within the group. And it’s beautiful to see guys sharing intimacy and love and touch and excitement.
The mindfulness practices are there to support us being our most authentic selves. To be open and vulnerable with each other. Which for many of us, can be quite a scary place to be. We feel shy and insecure and anxious around new people and new groups. We’re scared of feeling rejected or left out. All of these fears can come up on a retreat.
Casual sex, hookups, anonymous sex, Grindr etc means that pleasure and intimacy become increasingly transactional and disconnected. We don’t have to risk being ourselves and being vulnerable when all we want is some quick physical gratification and objectification.
On these retreats, it’s an opportunity to be fully yourself, to be in your power, to let the world see you just as you are, to feel full and authentic and confident and present. And maybe from that place, there is attraction and chemistry and desire within the group.
If you are looking for deeper, more authentic, heart centred connections and relationships with gay men, then a retreat is a great place to start. It’s fun, sexy, playful, curious, exciting, from a place of courageous authenticity.
THE PRACTICE
Naked Yoga, Meditation, Breathwork, Singing, Dance, Nature, Ceremony, Cabaret, Games, Nature, Swimming, Hiking, and much more.
These are practices to quieten the mind, energise the body, soften tension, brighten your Spirit and change your life.
WHY NAKED?
Being naked literally strips away all the social and economic barriers that clothing can represent. Being naked in front of other people can be challenging as it brings up our vulnerabilities around self acceptance, being seen, and around shame! Together we will playfully confront these vulnerabilities!
Society often tells us that being naked is all about sex. Practising Yoga naked, singing and dancing naked, walking through the woods naked, swimming in the pool or ocean naked, is an exhilarating way to feel freedom and build self acceptance in your beautifully unique body in a non sexual space.
Arousal can happen, if it does that's beautiful and magical and can be enjoyed and celebrated. Connection and intimacy with other men can happen, which can be intensely healing and nurturing and wonderful. The invitation for this retreat is to connect with yourself and other men from the heart. To embrace self acceptance. To shed layers of shame, guilt and regret. To come together with other men in celebration of queer community and spirit!
Nudity can deepen our spiritual practice and help us to face some of our deepest fears in a a safe, supportive and non judgmental community of men - come join us!
On Retreat in Portugal
A SPACE FOR GROWTH HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION
A sacred pause from daily life in the company of like minded GBTQ Men from around the world.
Time away from life’s responsibilities and pressures.
Time to rest, eat well, to be in nature, and to be yourself.
An opportunity to reflect on your life and make positive changes.
Make new friends and connections. Feel part of a community.
TO HAVE FUN
We do the work. These are challenging, deep practices, that take you to your edge to face your fears and limiting beliefs.
On the other side is joy, gratitude, peace, embodiment, presence, pleasure, contentment, purpose, meaning, and spirit.
This is a brave space to express yourself courageously and authentically.
We smile, we laugh, we dance, we sing, we cry. All of you is welcome here.
Main reasons for joining a gay yoga retreat
Some of the most common reasons for joining a gay yoga retreat!
1) I NEED A BREAK!
Many guys are simply looking for a break from the pressures and stresses of daily life.
Sometimes a ‘normal’ holiday just isn’t enough.
A retreat is nourishing for mindy body and soul. We take care of you. Great food, comfortable accommodation, spectacular nature, interesting people from around the world, and embodiment practices to calm the mind, energise the body, and brighten the spirit.
It’s incredible what just a couple of days of healthy routines, time in nature, and a break from daily life can do.
After a week together you go home feeling strong, aligned, energised, and ready to face the world again.
On retreat in Portugal
2) I’M FEELING STUCK IN MY LIFE
Many participants arrive feeling stuck in their lives, and they want to give themselves a week on retreat to reset and recharge and get some clarity and perspective.
This could be issues at home, at work, with boyfriends and husbands, or feeling that you are ready for a change and a new chapter but you’re not sure what!
A retreat is a terrible place to come and think about your problems. What a waste of time and energy!
A retreat is a perfect place to get in your body, connect to nature, enjoy the company of incredible people, to laugh, to have fun, to come alive, to remember what is important to you, to remember who you are and what your values are in life.
And then you’ll just know with trust and instinct, what the next step is for you and your life.
On Retreat in Portugal
3) I WANT TO MAKE GAY FRIENDS AND FIND COMMUNITY IN A SAFE SUPPORTIVE FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT
Many of us find it hard to make new gay friends and find community.
The apps, the bars, the clubs, the saunas, none of these are easy places to navigate and make meaningful connections.
Pleasure, sex, and connection can feel transactional and distant, and we long for deeper relationships in our lives.
A retreat is a wonderful space to be yourself. And to see others for who they are. Beyond desire and objectification. We get to see and experience the heart and spirit of one another.
These retreats are truly a community. With hundreds of guys around the world who keep in touch and meet up years after sharing a retreat together.
Sunset on the beach in Portugal
4) I WANT TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD TIME!
Retreats should always be fun. They are a celebration of you, and a celebration of life.
Joy, pleasure, games, laughter, silliness, playfulness, performance, music, all play a huge part.
We do the work. The yoga practice is deep and challenging. We face our fears and learn to be courageous and vulnerable with each other.
And on the other side of that are all the elevated emotions - joy, appreciation, empathy, compassion, curiosity, gratitude, peace, and so much more.
Through presence we connect to the lightness of being. And it can be absolutely hilarious.