Naked yoga with the boys at INNdulge Palm Spring

Naked yoga and fitness instructor Dan Carter invites men to join him and local artist Saul Lyons at INNdulge Palm Springs for a long weekend of uninhibited camaraderie under the hot desert sun.

Self Discovery – A Naked Mindfulness Retreat takes place September 26-30 and will feature classes such as “Yoga for Sexual Health”, “Embracing the Artist Inside You”, and “Drum Up Your Bum”; all with an emphasis on self-discovery and encouraging men to connect and fall in love with their bodies.

“Intimacy and touch will be important bonding components to the weekend,” Carter tells Out Traveler. “A huge part of the experience will be building a real sense of family between the two dozen other men in attendance.”

According to Jon Jackson, a co-owner of INNdulge, the clothing-optional resort in Palm Springs, while women have embraced the body positivity movement, body acceptance among men has been slow to catch on.

“Men suffer silently while the media bombards us with idealized images of what our bodies should look like,” Jackson says. “It’s time men develop pride and a love for the skin they are in.”

“As we navigate through our busy lives in these tech-driven times, it is important for men to be in touch with their bodies and spirits,” continues Carter from his home in Washington D.C. “A deeper understanding of self enables men to steer through the distractions and obstacles of life and work and move more directly toward achieving their dreams and goals. Being naked is key because it helps peel away the outer layer most of us use to deceive ourselves and it encourages us to love who we truly are.”

For tickets and more information on the Self Discovery – A Naked Mindfulness Retreat, visit https://bornnakedyoga.com/palm-springs.

Self Discovery – A Naked Mindfulness Retreat begins the evening of Thursday, September 26, with “Building Brotherhood,” a bonding session that will partner men up for yoga and initial core exercises followed by a happy hour and a dip in INNdulge’s magnificent kidney-shaped pool and 12-man keyhole whirlpool spa.

The next day will be all about the butt as men spend the morning toning up their thighs, glutes, and lower back in Carter’s signature “Yogalates” class. After the session, men will be free to soak in the sun poolside at INNdulge while enjoying the mountain views and courtyard with its immaculately landscaped lawns and large sculptures. Or, they can venture out into Palm Springs for a day of golfing, hiking, or shopping. In the evening, the group will reconvene at INNdulge for “Slow, Flow and Meditation,” led by Carter, followed by a barbecue.

Saturday morning will begin with a naked hike in the desert, followed by Lyons leading a nude drawing workshop entitled, “Embracing the Artist Inside You”. The workshop will show men that even if they don’t think of themselves as traditionally artistic, art exists everywhere in our lives. With practice and introspection, anyone can become an extraordinary artist.

Sunday will focus on sexual health with yoga providing a gateway to learn about touch, feeling, and intimacy. Carter will lead a Thai Massage workshop that helps men get better acquainted with their bodies and the bodies of the other two dozen men in the class. His “Yoga for Gay Sexual Health” workshop combines movement, meditation, and psychology to make men more confident, happier lovers.

“All activities are optional, so men can enjoy the retreat at their own pace,” says Carter. “It will also be a judgment-free weekend, meaning weight, fitness level, and anatomy size do not matter!”

Since the 1920s, Palm Springs has been the desert playground for gay men and women. 50s-era stars like Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter made the vintage town, renowned for its midcentury-modern architecture, their second home because it allowed them to escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood and enjoy sexual freedom without fear of being outed. It is that same sexual freedom that continues to be a popular draw for gay travelers today.

There’s plenty to do in Palm Springs: from the springs to the golf courses and spas, to hiking along the numerous hidden trails in the Coachella Valley. There are also tons of gay bars, restaurants and nightclubs and the shopping cannot be beat, with major retailers in Downtown Palm Springs and on El Paseo Drive in Palm Desert.

Self Discovery – A Naked Mindfulness Retreat at INNdulge Palm Springs takes place September 26-30. Register now at bornnakedyoga.com.