intimate connection weekend

2024 INTIMATE CONNECTION WEEKEND
Joyful exploration, relaxation, fun and intimacy for GBTQ-men.
Co-created by GaySpiritFriends & Spirit Journeys. 

When: Friday Oct 11th - Sunday Oct 13th,  2024. 
Check-In: Friday, October 11th, 14.00h (2 pm)
Farewell: Sunday, October 13th, 16.00h (4 pm)
Where: Charneux, Belgium
Price: € 470,-

IN SHORT: WHAT IS OUR WEEKEND ABOUT? 
Our carefully curated program delves into a spectrum of themes that resonate with the diverse experiences of GBTQ-men.
Whether you're navigating friendships, pursuing relationships, grappling with loneliness, healing from heartache, hooked on dating apps, longing for physical touch, or wanting to join into playfulness with other men, this weekend is designed to address these themes and the various facets of your journey.

THE PROGRAM
The program incorporates a balance of group sessions and leisure time to connect with each other. Guided movement practices, deep sharing, breath work, visualizations, journaling, personal contemplation, playful group exercises and buddy work are just some of the activities offered during the workshop.

No previous experience is necessary for any of the activities planned.
Loving and attentive instruction, guidance and support is provided throughout the workshop. All you need to do is to show up with openness and enthusiasm to fully participate in the group activities and take full advantage of the opportunity to be in the company of other GBTQ men in a setting free from pretense and superficiality. The foundation of all our retreats and workshops is a remarkable experience of intimacy, trust, nurturing, and honest communication which unfolds among the participants.
Our Intimate Connection Weekend is designed to help you open your heart, grow your capacity for intimacy, and build healthy, resilient relationships. Together, we will explore and release the things that keep us from having fulfilling relationships with other men. With the support of our brothers, we will unlock our minds and hearts and allow ourselves to love and to be loved.

Drawing on the latest discoveries of interpersonal neurobiology, somatic experiencing, evolutionary biology and positive psychology, we will explore such topics as:

- Cultivating Safety, Trust, Vulnerability, and Intimacy;
- Working through the Fears and Habits that Sabotage Intimacy;
- Creating Deeply Embodied Connection;
- Building The Foundations for Strong Relationships;

Our time together will be exploratory, embodied, experiential, and inspirational.
We will look deeply at ourselves and uncover the stories and wounds that keep us from living a free and joyous life. We will see through these stories and bring love to these wounds, freeing ourselves to be ourselves, our true selves.
The freer we are, the more open we are to others and the easier love can find its way into our lives. Nothing is sexier or more lovable than authenticity!
We will give ourselves and each other the safety and permission to open ourselves to pleasure, joy, and laughter. 

TIME SCHEDULE Intimate Connection Weekend 2024
The schedule may be subject to minor changes. No rights can be derived from this schedule.

FRIDAY
14.00 Check in
15.00 Welcome soup & free time
16.00 Welcome session
18.30 DINNER
20.00 Evening session

SATURDAY
08.30 Morning practice
09.00 BREAKFAST
10.30 Morning session
13.00 LUNCH
14.30 Afternoon session
17.00 Free time
18.30 DINNER
20.00 Evening session

SUNDAY
08.30 Morning practice
09.00 BREAKFAST
10.30 Morning session
13.00 LUNCH
14.00 Afternoon session
15.30 Packing
16.00 Goodbye

ABOUT OUR ACCOMMODATION

The old stone farmhouse dates back to + / - 1650 and originally served as a syrup distillery. Nowadays the farmhouse is used as a holiday accommodation after thorough renovation.

The accommodation is situated on a hill with beautiful views over the meadows. It is located in Herve, in the triangle Maastricht-Liege-Aachen. The accommodation has a large capacity and an interesting layout of rooms and floors. It exudes nostalgia and atmosphere and has many surprising rooms and corners to discover. The property also has a large attractive workshop space, where we will withdraw for the workshops.

OVERVIEW OF ALL PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Included and not included in your weekend

YOUR WEEKEND INCLUDES
- Lodging in a beautifully renovated 17th century farmhouse, with 21st century comfort;
- 2x Breakfast, 2x Lunch, 2x Dinner from a professional cook;
- Suggestions and help with travel arrangements if necessary;
- Inspiring, fun, professional workshops and lively discussions with other men​;
- Playful, soulful, intimate experiences with GBTQ-men from around the world;
- Steam Sauna and use of community rooms (with pool table, shuffleboard, table tennis).

NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR WEEKEND
- Travel and transfer costs;
- Insurances: we recommend that everyone purchase travel, cancellation, and liability insurance.
- Bedsheets and towels are not included in the price. You can select these for a small additional price in the webshop during registration.

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE
All workshops will be presented in English. We can translate it into Dutch or German. During exercises and breaks, or if you have questions, you are free to express yourself in your native language. Occasionally, we may be able to offer some translations in other languages, but only if there are participants who can help with those translations. 

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
There are NO single rooms available. All rooms accommodate 2, 3, or 4 people. You will be randomly assigned to a room.

SNORERS AND LIGHT SLEEPERS

SNORERS AND LIGHT SLEEPERS
Please be aware that you are staying in group accommodations!
While it's a beautiful house, we have limited space to relocate people to other sleeping areas. If you are aware that you have a significant snoring issue we recommend exploring possible solutions before signing up. In the spirit of fostering a harmonious environment for everyone, we will have to
relocate heavy snorers to a separate sleeping area. In our experience, most light sleepers sleep well during our events, but they should be aware that they do not sleep alone in the bedrooms. We will place light sleepers together where possible.

THE ACCOMMODATION limitations and possibilities

THE ACCOMMODATION limitations and possibilities
We will be staying in a beautiful old renovated stone farmhouse with a large capacity and an interesting layout of rooms and floors. Please note that there might be some steps and staircases that could pose challenges for some individuals. If you have any serious disabilities, please contact us first to discuss possibilities and limitations. This is a residential retreat: all participants are required to lodge in the house (rather than hotels, camper vans, or local accommodations).

FOOD

FOOD
We do not follow any specific nutritional philosophy, but we do our best to provide plenty of healthy, delicious food, including a mix of tasty Burgundian local dishes prepared by our professional cook. If you have any dietary restrictions, or if you are vegetarian or vegan, we will do our best to accommodate you. There will be an opportunity to mention it later in a questionnaire we will send you after you've signed up for the event.

HOW TO GET TO THE ACCOMMODATION

HOW TO GET TO THE ACCOMMODATION
You can reach the location by car (details to follow later).
The nearest train station is Liège-Guillemins. We will arrange pick-ups at this train station and assist in organizing carpools.

LEISURE TIME

LEISURE TIME
Besides the workshops offered, there is also plenty of free time to get to know the other men, take time for yourself and explore every corner of the beautiful house, or take a nice walk in the surroundings. There is also a 6-person sauna where you can relax and a recreation room where you can play games (including a pool table, shuffleboard, and table tennis). Nearby is an old monastery with a store where you can buy various regional products.