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Sensuous. Supportive. Sublime.
Dearest fluid beings, welcome to the invitation for Un(masc)ing, an iteration of Queeda - a practice, and a wordplay blending the Portuguese cuida (to take care) & queer. This retreat invites queer male-identified and/or male-socialized spirits to gather for a weekend of nourishing, rejuvenating contact—with each other and with the water.
As queer people, many of us move through the world struggling to fully receive, to trust, to surrender.
This retreat offers a different rhythm:
A space to slow down.
A space drop the mask.
a place to practice giving and receiving support.
To soften, to play, to release, to clarify.
To be in connection, and ease into our edges.
To replenish our inner well alongside queer kin.
To rediscover the fluidity at the heart of our queerness.
Held over 2 nights, among the redwoods overlooking the Pacific Ocean, our sanctuary includes a 97° saltwater pool where we will dive into aquatic practices and dance — drawing from Aguahara, Fluid Presence, Contact Improvisation, authentic movement, and somatic bodywork.
On land, we’ll root ourselves in the inner sanctum through caring touch, somatic practices, sharing circles, expressive arts and through the being in the surrounding lush redwoods. There will be space for sauna, walks, silence, laughter, rest, and joy.
This is a space where intimacy, tenderness, and vulnerability can be explored without agenda: where we can weave a queer web of belonging.
Why Water?
To me, water is the queerest of teachers.
It invites us to expand our capacity for sensitivity, receptivity, and attuned shapeshifting. It shows us how to flow between holding and being held. It dissolves the rigid armor we’ve been taught to carry, letting ourselves out and others in. It supports the surfacing of whatever is real in us, letting it be seen.
The cultural conditioning of “masculinity” has often demanded strength, stoicism, and emotional control, but in turn it leaves many of us feeling brittle, defended, and lonely. Even within queer male circles, authenticity and vulnerability can at times be drowned out by performativity, disposability, and transactional dynamics.
This retreat offers an alternative: A space where we can soften the need to do, to prove, to perform — and simply be. Where we make space for each other, as and how we are. Where we welcome the full fluidity of our embodied expressions.
Some questions for the weekend:
How can the way of water teach me what I no longer need to hold alone?
Which masks do I wear that that are barriers to deeper connection?
How can I let myself be supported by queer fam?
Who is this for?
This retreat welcomes any person who:
• Identifies as queer, and
• Identifies with or has been socialized as a man
Gay, bisexual, trans, queer, heteroflexible, questioning, gender-fluid, masc-of-center, non-binary and all who gravitate, orbit, or oscillate around masculinity on their own terms—you are welcome here.
If the invitation resonates, then this space is probably for you.
We aim to co-create an inclusive space for all bodies, racial identities, neurotypes, and expressions within the constellation of queer masculinities.
During Pride month there can be so many ways to gather. This is a space for a more tender gathering. This particular retreat is focused on sensual and heart connections, without erotic play or use of substances.
Practices + Invitations
• Warm Water Sessions: aquatic bodywork, water contact dance under the stars
• Somatic Practices: authentic movement, contact improvisation, bodywork, somatic experiencing-inspired relational play
• Earth Integration: sharing circles, cuddles, redwood hikes, solo integration times
We will lean into our edges, exploring where trust and surrender meet. Where sensitivity becomes playfulness. Where we can nourish queer communities of care.
We will queeda.
QUESTIONS? Feel free to reach out with any inquiries or curiosities at [email protected]
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Friday, June 13th between 5-6pm
Sunday, June 15th at 5pm
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The retreat will be held at The inner Sanctum in Woodside, California. An oasis overlooking mountains and the pacific, a large 97degree salt water, spring-fed pool, a dry-sauna, an indoor movement and lounge space, a squishy cuddle space, hiking up the redwoods and comfortable sleeping arrangements.
Location and directions will be sent out with signing of the liability waiver for the Inner Sanctum, which will be sent out after filling out the registration form.
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For those with more financial abundance, supports lower-income reduced ticket
Regular priced ticket for event
For those needing some financial support to attend
Payable to:
Venmo: @escolacqua Paypal: [email protected]
◎Base Rate included camping. ◎50% non-refundable deposit of workshop fees is due at registration. ◎Remaining 50% due Monday, June 9th
◎We have a few work-trade positions for the Kitchen and cleaning available for those who need some support to attend. ◎Rate includes Included meals from Friday dinner through Sunday Lunch
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Camping: Included
Shared Dorm Rooms: $50 (8)
Private King Bed rooms in the main house (2) w/private bathroom: $300 no bathroom: $240
Private hexapods: $240 (2)
Private Rv and Vans : Varied Rates, please Inquire
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We will offer nourishing gluten-free meals throughout the retreat, including dinner friday, breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday, and breakfast and lunch Sunday. We have plenty of storage if you need to bring your own food items that meet personal dietary needs.
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Questions can be directed to [email protected]
To complete registration, make sure to submit your deposit after submitting the form:
Contribution
Supporter Rate: $650+
Regular Rate: $550
Reduced Rate: $460
Payable to:
Venmo: @escolacqua
Paypal: [email protected]
◎Base Rate included camping.
◎50% non-refundable deposit of workshop fees is due at registration.
◎Remaining 50% due Monday, June 9th
https://forms.gle/ju3QtuW7ixMgvp2m8
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