Discovering Brotherhood: A Motorcycle Journey for Men
In the quest for genuine connections, men often grapple with the challenge of forming authentic friendships. Inner Outer Journeys’ curated retreats for men offer an opportunity to connect with like-minded men. A men’s retreat is an organized gathering designed for men to bond and relax, while temporarily stepping away from the burdens of every day life.
The Motorcycle Journey
Journey to Ladakh, a motorcycle adventure for men in the Indian Himalayas, presents a transformative journey that aims to break the chains of disconnection, relax mind and body, while cultivating self-discovery. With 11 participants from diverse backgrounds, this exclusive 18-day journey of transformation set against the harsh backdrop of the most remote region in India, is led by experienced men’s work facilitator and Yoga teacher Gonçalo Luz (Sankalparaja).
Gonçalo Luz (second left) during Journey to Ladakh
Riding into Vulnerability
Gonçalo Luz, the mind behind Inner Outer Journeys, is an experienced facilitator and adventure travel leader who guides the mens group through the rugged high altitude terrain of Ladakh, encouraging participants to navigate both it’s physical and emotional challenges. This motorcycle journey emphasizes embracing the it's hardness as their teacher, allowing emotions like anger, anxiety, frustration, and fear to surface and be expressed openly, fostering an environment where vulnerability is celebrated.
Throughout the men’s retreat program, participants share personal experiences in a men’s circle format. Each man takes turns sharing, while others listen and eventully offer insightful reflections, ensuring that every individual feels truly heard and seen. The mens circle works as a support group for growth and transformation, using men’s work tools in it’s structure. Brothers actively discovering about themselves, through sharing with other men.
Johann Amsellem from France, highlights the opportunity for personal discovery and deeper connections as his motivation for joining the retreat. He reflects on his own emotional reactivity to societal expectations of masculinity.
Johann Amsellem (right) with some of his group mates in Nubra Valley
Space for Reconnection
Gonçalo Luz, the creator of this unique motorcycle journey, identifies the lack of healthy spaces where men can share about their paths and struggles, as well as toxic beliefs about masculinity, as some of the leading causes of an emotional pandemic among men - loneliness and isolation. He praises men's retreats as places of reconnection and discovery, providing a safe space for emotional expression and meaningful connections.
The harsh desert serves as a backdrop for profound breakthroughs, as participants like Robert Gockner from Germany undergo transformative experiences, shedding emotional barriers in a powerful breakthrough among supportive men, “Something opened, and I look forward to find it again”, he shares.
As the 18-day journey concludes, the once disconnected men emerge visibly fulfilled, expressing excitement and gratitude. The impact of deeper connections and authentic relating lasts beyond the retreat, creating deep self-awareness that withstands the test of time.
Robert Gockner (left) with one of his riding partners
Reflecting on his experience, René Bos shares, “All my expectations about adventure and brotherhood have been met and surpassed. Gonçalo is a great leader and Yoga teacher. He knows his way around Ladakh. I would recommend it to anyone up for an adventure that includes deepening of the connection with yourself and fellow brothers, riding a motorcycle through beautiful, wondrous landscapes and integrating this all with yoga and lots of fun!”
In the heart of Ladakh, this one of a kind motorcycle journey becomes a movement of brothers, one of the most epic containers of brotherhood, a haven where men discover their strength in vulnerability, forging bonds that transcend these 18 days.
René Bos in a check-point near Manali, Himachal Pradesh
