LAST OF THE SUMMER SUN
Retreat for Gay Bi Trans Queer Men
Saturday 9th - Saturday 16th September 2023
Chateau de Goas, Gascony, France
Last of the Summer Sun // 9-16 September // Chateau de Goas, France
This is my only remaining retreat for 2023!
I look forward to welcoming familiar faces from previous retreats and some enthusiastic new men to this retreat community.
I’m excited to be hosting a retreat in France for the first time, a country that I absolutely adore, and to be spending a week at this glorious Chateau in Gascony, under the late summer sun.
It’s always exciting going to a new location! I hope you can join us.
THE CALL
Welcome to Last of the Summer Sun!
September is such a glorious time of the year for a yoga retreat. The summer heat is just starting to cool, the light is changing, the evenings are getting a touch darker, and nature is in majestic abundance with harvest in full swing.
This retreat is perfect if you are looking for one last summer adventure with a group of friendly queer men from around Europe and beyond.
During these men’s retreats we embrace and explore queer spirit! Through daily yoga, music, singing, dancing, performance, playfulness, and the occasional diva moment, we celebrate our culture and realise that our queerness is our greatest strength.
When joining one of these men’s retreats you become part of an international community of hundreds of GBTQ men.
This will also be a time to reflect on your summer experiences, travels, and adventures, as we start to look ahead to the more introspective time of Autumn, embracing the changing of the seasons and the natural rhythms of life.
So leave your stresses and worries and responsibilities at home, take some time for you, maybe switch off your phone, and let the daily yoga practices calm your mind, soothe your nervous system, so you leave feeling rejuvenated and alive.
Our home is the magnificent Chateau de Goas, with big bright rooms and bathrooms, surrounded by woodland, a lake for swimming, plus a gorgeous outdoor pool.
I really hope to welcome you to the Chateau this September. I adore France and I’m thrilled to be hosting my first retreat there.
Tom x
WHAT TO EXPECT
Forrest Yoga // Meditation // Chanting // Singing // Dancing // Swimming Pool // Nature
The retreat experience begins with that first spark of inspiration ‘I think I want to go on a retreat!’. Somehow a unique group of people feel the same call, each participant arrives with their own hopes, dreams, fears and intentions.
It’s a sacred pause from daily life where we get to rediscover joy, playfulness and pleasure, whilst allowing ourselves to rest deeply. It’s a time to relax, to recharge, and to do it all with a wonderful group of friendly people.
Forrest Yoga is the foundation of this retreat with a morning and evening practice. All levels of yoga experience are welcome. Within each group there is always a wide range of experience, from beginners to advanced. It’s your practice, your body, you go at your own pace.
Chanting, singing and music always play a big part in my retreats. For many people the last time they sung in a group was at school. Singing together on retreat is a wonderful way to rediscover the joy of singing in a group!
There will be plenty of time for rest and relaxation and time to yourself. You can lounge by the pool, explore the gardens or go for a walk in the countryside. Or even take a nap!
One day we will make a trip to a local medieval village to visit the weekly market. The rest of the time we will be at the Chateau and surrounding nature.
Alcohol + Substances
My retreats are always alcohol and substance free. If required we may have s designated tobacco smoking area.
We all have our own relationship to alcohol and substances, this time on retreat is a space to come together in a conscious sober way, and have a sacred pause from our familiar habits and behaviours.
If you have any questions or concerns about this please get in touch.
Each retreat is really an honour for me. I hope to welcome you to the Chateau!
Tom
FORREST YOGA
Breath // Strength // Integrity // Spirit
Created by Ana Forrest over the past 45 years, Forrest Yoga is an intensely physical practice that will make you sweat and ignite every cell in your body through deep breathing and powerful, healing poses.
Forrest Yoga teaches you to go deeper to find your truth, and encourages you to take these gifts you have earned beyond the mat and into the rest of your life.
Forrest Yoga honors and celebrates the beauty of life and the power of Spirit. It is an inspiring yoga practice that builds flexibility, intelligence and strength while helping deepen the relationship with your authentic self. Accessing your intuition - the voice of your Spirit - builds personal strength and ushers integrity into your daily interactions.
Forrest Yoga challenges you to heal, grow and welcome your Spirit home.
Forrest Yoga does not require strength or flexibility; it only requires a willingness to learn how to feel authentically and respond honestly. The practice is founded on four pillars -- Breath, Strength, Integrity and Spirit.
BREATH
Forrest Yoga teaches you how to breathe deeply, connect in feeling with your body, use the power of breath to bring aliveness into every cell of your body and ignite your passion for living.
STRENGTH
Forrest Yoga teaches you to connect to your core, to be strong and centered. The intense pose sequences are designed to help you develop the skills to awaken each of your senses. The long holds help you progress in the poses and go deeper. Aided by the use of heat, your body is freed from toxins; the deep breathing oxygenates and rejuvenates every cell in your body.
INTEGRITY
Forrest Yoga teaches you to become proficient at safely tailoring each pose to work best for you, particularly with physical and emotional injuries. By learning to work honestly at your edges, you develop effective tools to deal with fear and struggle. This makes it possible for integrity, self-awareness and playful curiosity to become part of your daily life.
SPIRIT
Forrest Yoga's intent is to create a sense of freedom, a connection to your Spirit and the courage to walk as your Spirit dictates.
FOOD + ACCOMMODATION
You can expect the finest French hospitality at the Chateau. With 3 meals everyday, starting with a continental breakfast after morning practice. Lunch and dinner will be a vegetarian buffet prepared by the chef.
There are 12 beautiful rooms throughout the Chateau, with 7 bathrooms. If we are a small group, then it’s possible that everyone can have their own room. If we are a larger group then some guests will be in a twin room.
CHATEAU DE GOAS
Located in the heart of the magnificent region of Gascony, surrounded by fields and hills, Château de Goas is an historical French estate whose foundations date back to the Middle Age.
With its towers, windmills, ancient wine cellar, the Château is an authentic leftover of the French history and a reflection of the unique rural tradition of the region.
For the most part, the current batiment of the castle dates back to the 18th century built by the Comtesse de Beaumont, a former courtesan at the King of France court. The Comtess, who owned the Château until the early 19th century, built a splendid estate including a huge park decorated with statues as well as a small chapel.
With 12 bedrooms decorated in a warm, rural and antique style, two living rooms, dining rooms, French pool room with board games, historical library, a large studio room of 160sqm, a 6-acre park featuring ancient oaks and a splendid bathing lake located a few minutes away, the Château is the ideal setting to welcome large groups and host retreats in a tranquil and serene environment.
In addition to the practice of yoga and training activities, guests can enjoy their free time at the Château by taking walks through the exquisite countryside, going for refreshing baths in the nearby swimming lake, visiting local markets and historical villages nearby.
LIKELY SCHEDULE
Saturday 9th September
1530 - 1830 // Arrival
1930 // Welcome Dinner
Daily Schedule
0730 - 0930 // Morning Practice
0930 - 1030 // Continental Breakfast
1300 - 1400 // Lunch
1730 - 1900 // Evening Practice
1930 // Dinner
Saturday 16th September
0730 - 0900 // Morning Practice
0930 // Breakfast
Check Out by 1030
ACCOMMODATION + BOOKING
Price is the same for everyone - 1300 Euros
Price includes: Accommodation, food + drink, daily ceremony + yoga, evening group activities, trip to local market, airport shuttle from Toulouse (one shuttle for the whole group - more info in travel section below)
Expected group size // 8-15 Participants
Max Group Size // 20
Useful Info:
Accommodation is a lovely selection of double and twin rooms throughout the Chateau.
As this is a mixed retreat I’m expecting a variety of ages and genders amongst participants. This will be taken in to consideration when allocating rooms and bathrooms
Sleep and rest is very important on retreat so I will do my best to meet everyone’s needs!
If we are a small group then it is possible that everyone will have a private room and most a private bathroom.
For a larger group then some guests will be sharing a room and a bathroom.
Please tell me if you are happy to share a room.
Please tell me if you prefer a private room. (For example if you snore it can be nice for you and the other guests if you have some peace and quiet at night in your own room)
Once availability is confirmed I will forward you my account details for transfer.
Your place is confirmed once full payment has been received.
All fees paid for workshops and retreats are non-transferable and non-refundable. In paying for a workshop or retreat, you agree to these terms.
TRAVEL TO CHATEAU DE GOAS
Airport Shuttle from Toulouse
Journey time is approximately 90 mins.
Airport Shuttle included in your booking.
We will confirm the exact pick up details nearer the time. Please book a flight that arrives in Toulouse around lunch time.
There will only be one shuttle going from the airport. Ideally it will leave by 3pm, so you arrive at the Chateau by 4.30pm and have time to settle in before dinner at 7.30pm.
If you arrive on a much earlier flight, you may have to wait at the airport until the rest of the group arrives.
If you arrive on a much later flight you may have to organise your own travel to the Chateau if the shuttle has already left.
Hopefully everyone can arrive around lunch time, have a short wait and all get the shuttle together to the Chateau.
Car Hire or Personal Car
There are plenty of car hire options from Toulouse or elsewhere in France. You are welcome to travel to the retreat independently and at your own expense.
The Journey Home
On the last morning we will have a farewell yoga practice followed by breakfast and check out is by 10.30am.
A shuttle will go to Toulouse Airport, arriving by midday. So please don’t book a flight earlier than 2pm.
The airport shuttle is included in your booking.
There will only be one shuttle to the airport, so if you have to get an earlier flight you may have to organise your own transport, or perhaps someone with a hire car can give you a lift.
