Return to Self: Movement and Connection for gay and queer men

Why Return to Self?
For many of us as gay men, the journey to truly being ourselves hasn’t been straightforward. We’ve faced pressures to fit into molds, to hide parts of ourselves, or to meet expectations that don’t align with who we really are. Over time, these experiences can disconnect us from our bodies, our emotions, and our true selves. This retreat is about reclaiming that connection and rediscovering the parts of us that might have gotten lost along the way. A time for harvest!

This week is about creating space—space to move, to feel, to express, and to connect. Through creative workshops, group discussions and moments of quiet reflection, this retreat is designed to support you in finding clarity, remembering yourself, fostering connection. Some of the workshops: Dance Alchemy- where we dance for the sake of others, Being with Apart-the neuroscience of not touching, These Arms of Mine-where we practice surrendering and responsibility, Dear John-we write letters to our brothers’pasts, Quality of Queer Movement-we share forgotten gestures and poses. At the end of the day, this retreat isn’t about fixing anything—it’s about returning to what’s already within you.

How We Got Here

Society often expects us to be a certain way—strong, unfeeling, always in control. But as gay men, we also face the unique challenge of navigating a world that hasn’t always accepted us for who we are. The coping mechanisms we’ve developed—whether it’s numbing out, overcompensating, or shrinking ourselves down—can leave us feeling fragmented, disconnected from our bodies, and from our own sense of self-worth.

Returning to self is to allow acceptance for all of the aspects of oneself and to be present with everything that can come up. One may develop confidence in areas that felt more oppressed or disembodied. We might find more clarity on what brings us joy, frustration or new things we desire or appreciate about ourselves or others. When we feel more connected to ourself, we can trust ourselves to hold us during times of crisis or uncertainty. What is harvested on the retreat can be carried with you afterwards.

Why Movement Matters
Movement workshops are about re-learning how to live in our bodies. By engaging in activities that promote sensing, mobility flow, and embodied awareness, we can start to tap into parts of ourselves that have been ignored or silenced. These workshops provide a space to explore how we move through the world and how we can move differently—more freely, more authentically. It is not about becoming a dancer but maybe about tapping into our queer movements!

Expanding Awareness
Throughout the retreat, you’ll have the chance to challenge and expand how you perceive yourself and others. By engaging in exercises that heighten embodied awareness and listening, you’ll strengthen your ability to sense the subtle layers of connection within and around you.

The Power of Touch and Connection
Touch workshops offer another invitation to return to yourself in a supportive and inspiring environment. Many of us carry the weight of feeling isolated or misunderstood, and through safe, intentional touch, we can begin to break down those barriers. This isn’t nudity or tantra; it’s about using touch as a tool to reconnect with ourselves and others in a way that feels supportive, not invasive. It’s about learning to trust our bodies, our instincts, and the relationships we form with others

Why Tuscany?
The Renaissance wasn't simply about perfect forms and muscled statues—it was a radical celebration of human potential in all its forms. Da Vinci, the quintessential "Renaissance man," was known not just for his art and inventions, but for his appreciation of life's mysteries, his deep curiosity about human nature, and his belief that understanding yourself was the key to understanding the world. He filled his notebooks not just with anatomical studies, but with questions about human consciousness, emotion, and connection. We can do the same!
When Michelangelo carved David, he wasn't just celebrating physical perfection—he was capturing a moment of profound self-awareness, the quiet strength that comes before action. David's expression shows contemplation rather than aggression, wisdom rather than force. It's this same spirit of thoughtful self-discovery that we seek to tap into during the week.
In the hills where scholars first dared to place human experience at the center of philosophical inquiry, we'll take time to honor our own experiences—just as Renaissance artists learned to see beneath the surface to understand the true form within. We will recognize that each of us carries the potential for our own rebirth, our own return to self as I prefer to say.

Florence

Florence isn't just the birthplace of the Renaissance—it's where the modern understanding of individual identity first flourished, which includes what we now recognize as gay identity. In the 15th century, Florence was witnessing the emergence of a revolutionary concept: that love, beauty, and personal truth could exist outside conventional boundaries.
In the same streets where we'll walk, Florence birthed a radical revolution in human identity. While the city's powerful families commissioned great works of art, its citizens dared to live and love openly in ways that shocked Europe. So visible was this freedom that other European cities used "Florentine" as code for men who loved men - a testament to how this city has long been a crucible for authenticity and self-expression.
Here, you can mark your own renaissance. Not through grand gestures or forced epiphanies, but through the simple power of slowing down in a place that has always honored the complexity of human desire and creativity. This is time for men who sense that deeper connection - to themselves, to history, to other men of substance - doesn't always require words or labels.


Nature as a Teacher
Tuscany is known for its relaxed lifestyle. Life here revolves around good food, beautiful scenery, and community. Being in the natural landscapes of Italy is more than just a beautiful backdrop—it’s an integral part of the healing process. The simplicity of a walk through the woods or the stillness of a meditation under the stars, or engaging in a partner exercise near the olive trees, the beauty of the surroundings will deepen your experience and invite a sense of peace and presence. In nature, there’s no need to perform or to meet anyone’s expectations. The landscape becomes a mirror, reflecting back the parts of ourselves that we would like to return to and integrate.

Shared Meals and Shared Stories
Food is an important part of Italian culture, and it will be a key element of our time together. Breakfast is provided and prepared on your own and simple lunch ingredients allow us the opportunity serve and collaborate. In the evening, a local chef will prepare 4 course meals as well as some pizza nights, allowing us more time for conversation and rest.