Somatic Adventures for GBQ Men

Join experienced yoga teachers and bodyworkers Christian Tiplady and Andy Butterfield as they guide you on a journey into your naked, sensual body and a deeper, healthier, more empowered relationship with it.

Classes are 2 hours and include the exploration of different styles of yoga including hatha, vinyasa, yin and restorative, as well as touch and massage practices and partner work. You don't need to bring a partner to class, you are paired up with other participants and have the opportunity to work with different people.

You will experience your body's capacity for vitality, pleasure, connection and wellbeing and learn how to increase this.

Heart-centred, kind and respectful touch blesses both the receiver and giver. The nervous system relaxes, the breath deepens, the heart rate slows and we feel connected, calm and quiet.

Many of us can feel deprived of physical contact and touch and yet it is so vital to our wellbeing and happiness. Even if we have a lot of sex, a sensual element can be missing; that sweetness of just being held.
In this naked workshop, we will take this intimacy a little deeper and work together to create a safe space that meets people’s varying need for physical contact with others.

We can’t help but return to Gayle’s Retreat again for our seventh year - It’s beautiful, tranquil and rejuvenating and every group of gay, bi and queer men just love it!

This event may be for you if you are ready to explore:

• mindfulness practices
• daily yoga/movement class
• connection with other gay men
• Shiatsu partner massage techniques
• self massage with the raku (wooden stick in Maori)
• authentic relating
• practices to support recovery from burnout
• small group support & sharing
• free time to relax and unwind by the swimming pool
• nature walks
• wander under the trees and rest in one of our hammocks
• fireside sharing circle under the stars
• homegrown organic vegetarian food
• digital detox from your tech

We will be sharing with you different restorative practices including mindfulness, relaxing and restorative yoga and movement, Tension Release exercises, authentic relating games, nature based practices, meditation walks and opportunities in your free time to wander through the beautiful grounds and along clifftop paths.

Our location is set against the backdrop of the stunning Seven Sisters coastline in the gentle ambience of Gayles Retreat, atop the cliffs where we will be nourished by their delicious plant-to-plate homegrown vegetarian food.

Heart-centred, kind and respectful touch blesses both the receiver and giver. The nervous system relaxes, the breath deepens, the heart rate slows and we feel connected, calm and quiet.

Many of us can feel deprived of physical contact and touch and yet it is so vital to our wellbeing and happiness. Even if we have a lot of sex, a sensual element to it can be missing; that sweetness of just being held.

In this clothed workshop, we will work together to create a safe space that meets people’s varying need for physical contact with others. No experience necessary.