What to Expect at a Men’s Healing Retreat: A 2025/2026 Guide
Mike Sagun leading men at a somatic men’s retreat in 2025 at Spirit Camp.
Why More Men Are Saying Yes to Healing in 2025/2026
There’s a quiet pain many men carry. It doesn’t always show up as loud breakdowns. Sometimes, it’s the fatigue you can’t shake. The disconnection in your relationship. The numbness you feel even when life looks “good on paper.”
A lot of pressure is put on us men to be providers and protectors. And the pressure to also connect, listen, and share is stacking. Honestly, rightly so. Men are behind in their emotional intelligence and there aren’t many spaces for us to train.
A men’s healing retreat can be the moment things start to shift.
Not because someone fixes you. But because you finally enter a space where you’re not asked to perform, provide, or pretend. A place where the masks drop, the nervous system settles, and the real work begins.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what to expect at a men’s healing retreat, from the schedule to the somatic tools we use, so you can feel more grounded and confident saying yes to your own healing.
What Is a Men’s Healing Retreat?
A men’s healing retreat is an immersive experience designed to help men reconnect with themselves: emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Unlike wellness retreats that focus on fitness or relaxation, these retreats are trauma-informed and designed for emotional transformation. While movement like yoga is a common container of practice, men’s retreats (especially with a somatic focus) are built around nervous system regulation, group process, and somatic practices that bring you back to your body.
At SHIFT, the retreat I lead in Baja, we blend science-backed tools with different containers of practice. Breathwork. Anusara yoga. Embodied movement. Somatic experiencing. Authentic relating. Emotional leadership.
The goal? Not to turn you into someone else. But to help you remember who you are underneath the shutdown.
Who Are These Retreats For?
Participants at the end of SHIFT Men’s Retreat 2024 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
You don’t have to hit rock bottom to deserve healing.
But many of the men who attend are at a turning point:
They’re burned out from overworking and underfeeling
They’re holding unresolved grief from a breakup, death, or life transition
They feel stuck, numb, anxious, or emotionally shut down
They crave brotherhood, but don’t know where to find it
Some are high performers who’ve climbed the ladder only to feel emptier at the top. Others are quietly battling loneliness, addiction, or childhood trauma. And some are simply curious, drawn by an inner pull they can’t ignore.
We’ve also had men attend after a loved one (a partner, therapist, or friend) shared this work with them. And it changed their lives.
“I left the retreat feeling rejuvenated, with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity. The SHIFT retreat with Mike Sagun is a life-changing experience.” - Francisco C.
What Happens at a Men’s Healing Retreat?
This is one of the most common questions I hear.
Here’s the truth: These retreats aren’t about spilling your guts on day one. They’re about creating safety first, so your body can relax enough to feel, maybe for the first time in years.
A Typical Day Might Look Like at SHIFT Men’s Retreat:
Mornings
Brandt Miller leading men through breathwork.
Self directed morning ritual
Continental breakfast
Holotropic breathwork
Anusara yoga
Brunch
Afternoons
Embodiment Practices
Men’s work
Rest + Restore time
(massages, pool time, beach time, naps, etc)
Evenings
Dinner
Men’s work
Self directed evening ritual, fire pit, games, prepare for bed, etc.
You won’t be forced to share. But you’ll be invited into honesty. And often, the body speaks before the words do.
Many men cry for the first time in years. Others shake with laughter. Some finally exhale after holding it together for a lifetime.
How a Men’s Retreat Supports Emotional Healing
Most of us were never taught how to feel safely.
We were taught to muscle through. Suppress. Compartmentalize.
A men’s healing retreat helps you do the opposite, gently and with support.
Here’s How:
Somatic Experiencing® calms the nervous system, helps process trauma, and increases your capacity to feel safely
Polyvagal-informed practices teach your body what safety feels like
Co-regulation with other men re-patterns your internal map of belonging
Emotional leadership training helps you speak from truth, not defense
This isn’t about fixing you. It’s about unwinding the protective patterns that once kept you safe, and now keep you stuck.
And you don’t have to do it alone.
“Mike helped me take off my Lone Wolf armor and discover a deeper, more connected version of myself—I haven’t felt this alive in years.” - Bob K.
What to Bring and How to Prepare
You don’t need to be “ready” in the perfect way. But you can set yourself up for success.
Emotional Preparation:
Come with an open heart, even if it’s guarded
Know that fear is welcome
Set an intention, not a resolution
A journal comes in handy at a men’s healing retreat to reflect and integrate their personal work.
Packing List:
Comfortable clothes you can move in
Journal + pen
Water bottle, sun protection
Curiosity and honesty (the most important items)
Pro Tip: Leave your work, devices, and “shoulds” at home. They’ll be waiting when you return.
How to Choose the Right Men’s Healing Retreat for You
Not all retreats are the same, and not every retreat will speak to your season of life. Here’s how to choose the one that fits you.
Questions to Ask:
Is this retreat trauma-informed?
Are the facilitators trained in somatic work or just coaching hype?
How big is the group? (Small groups often allow deeper connection.)
Do I resonate with the tone, the leaders, the intention?
If you’re drawn to somatic work, emotional depth, and meaningful connection in nature, check out SHIFT Men’s Retreat. We’re a trauma-informed experience designed for men ready to reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are healing retreats just for men in crisis?
No. They’re for any man ready to explore emotional healing, whether he’s in crisis, transition, or curiosity.
How much does a men’s retreat cost?
Retreats range from $750–$5,000 depending on length, location, and depth of facilitation. SHIFT is priced to reflect expert guidance, accommodations, and somatic care.
I’m afraid I won’t fit in. What if I’m the only one who feels broken?
Every man feels that way at some point. And every man realizes, he’s not alone.
Do I have to share in the group?
You’ll be invited, not forced. We respect your pace. And you may be surprised by what wants to come forward.
Is a healing retreat better than therapy or coaching?
They’re complementary. Therapy and coaching are ongoing support. A retreat can be a catalytic reset.
Your Invitation to Heal
A man heals with other men. Connection is imperative to living a healthy life.
If you’ve made it this far, something in you is ready. Not ready to be “fixed”, but ready to feel again. To breathe more deeply. To lead from your body, not your fear.
That’s the power of a men’s healing retreat.
Not because we teach you how to be a better man. But because we help you remember you already are one.
👉 Ready to take the next step? Book a free discovery call or join the waitlist for our next SHIFT Men’s Retreat.
You’re not broken. You’re healing. And you don’t have to do it alone.
