Here's How Men Are Embracing Personal Time: New Wave Of Men’s Retreats
Modern men are seeking something far more essential than sole focus on spa treatments or fitness routines : the space to stop performing
When fashion photographer Atul Kasbekar checked into a wellness retreat recently, it wasn’t to chase a fitness goal or hit reset after burnout. “I’ve been fit all my life,” says Kasbekar, 60. “So it wasn’t a sudden wake-up call. It was more about upkeep—eating clean, switching off, and making time for myself.”
The experience left a mark: in just four days, he dropped nearly 2% body fat and came away with a calmer mind and lighter spirit. “You’re in this quiet environment, away from screens. It slows your heart rate. You think better.”
He only wishes he’d stayed longer.
That desire is at the heart of a growing movement. Across India and beyond, a new kind of upgrade is quietly reshaping the world of men’s wellness. No longer focused solely on spa treatments or fitness routines, modern men are seeking something far more essential: the space to stop performing. To reflect, reconnect and remember who they are beneath the roles they carry.
INTERNATIONALLY, A NEW WAVE OF MEN’S RETREATS IS helping men transform—intentionally. In Indonesia, The Bali Time Chamber blends physical training, mindset work and nature immersion in a distraction-free mountaintop setting. In the US, Sacred Sons hosts gatherings for men navigating life transitions. And in the UK, Man Alive brings small groups together for somatic practices and emotional truth-telling.
The numbers back the trend. In 2023, the global men’s health and wellness market was valued at $1.27 trillion, according to a Business Wire report. By 2029, that projected market size is expected to reach $2.57 trillion. The idea isn’t to “fix” men, but to offer them a space to feel—without the need to impress or compete.
Inner Outer Journeys brings this philosophy to life through retreats in the Himalayas and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2019 by Gonçalo Luz, a former filmmaker turned yoga teacher and men’s work facilitator, it offers a rare blend of the physical and the introspective: think motorcycle pilgrimages across Ladakh, paired with men’s circles, breathwork and emotional release.
You may also like
“Modern men are often disconnected—from their bodies, emotions, each other and the natural world,” says Luz. “I wanted to create spaces where men could break through isolation and rediscover depth, clarity and purpose— not just through words, but through experience.”
Participants range from entrepreneurs and engineers to fathers and divorcees, most aged 35 to 60, and many arriving unsure of what they are seeking. “But underneath it all,” Luz says, “there’s a longing to feel alive and aligned. These retreats are where they can take off the mask and finally breathe.” Men often arrive guarded and sceptical. By the end, they’re laughing, crying, and standing shoulder to shoulder. “The outer journey—rides, treks or morning yoga—becomes a mirror for the inner one. Shared challenge quiets the mind and builds trust.”
WHILE THESE RETREATS LEAN INTO RAW, ELEMENTAL experiences, traditional wellness destinations aren’t far behind.
Luxury sanctuaries like Atmantan Wellness Centre, near Pune and Mumbai, and Six Senses Vana, Dehradun are beginning to offer programmes tailored to men—blending diagnostics, fitness, emotional well-being and lifestyle shifts. “At Atmantan, we see a growing number of solo male guests—CEOs, entrepreneurs, retirees,” says founder- director Nikhil Kapur. “They’re not just looking to manage weight or blood pressure. They’re seeking clarity, calm and a deeper reset.”
Their Men’s Health Retreat combines strength training, aqua therapy, breathwork, personalised nutrition and clinical assessments. “This isn’t a spa getaway,” Kapur says. “It’s a clinically-informed, results-driven programme designed for sustainable transformation.” Men also learn to improve sleep, reduce stress and reassess life goals. “What truly stays with them is the mindset shift—they leave with a deeper awareness of their bodies and a promise to prioritise wellness.”
While Atmantan takes a more clinical approach, Six Senses Vana charts a meditative course. “For many, the journey to wellness begins not with a grand resolution but a quiet decision—to step off the well-worn path,” says Jaspreet Singh, general manager, Six Senses Vana. “At Vana, this detour is neither indulgent nor escapist. It’s intentional.”
You may also like
Men arrive seeking stillness, structure and space to reprioritise—through detox, stress relief and immersive yoga. Sunrise meditations, mindful hikes, sound therapy and personalised nutrition are paired with technology like infrared belts and circulation-boosting boots. “There’s no template for the modern wellness seeker,” Singh adds. “But for the men who walk through our forest gates, this space offers a grounded, science-backed and soulfully human approach to starting over—not someday, but now.”
FROM FOREST CIRCLES TO LUXURY SUITES, THESE RETREATS are reshaping masculinity. Strength is no longer about stoicism—but the ability to feel, to share, and to show up with awareness. Vulnerability isn’t a crack in the armour; it’s a doorway to connection. And introspection, once dismissed as indulgent, is emerging as a necessary act of care. “Real strength isn’t about pushing through,” Kasbekar says. “It’s about knowing when to pause, when to feel, and when to ask for support.
The men who show up, be it in hiking boots or linen robes, aren’t running away. They’re returning: to purpose, to self, and to one another. In doing so, they’re carving out a new masculine ideal—one that values clarity over conquest, connection over competition. As more men seek these spaces—some fit like Kasbekar, others burnt out, or in transition—the shift is palpable. The old model of ‘man up’ is being replaced by something far more enduring: ‘man open’, or a return to their primal selves, grounded and fully present.
You may also like
8 Transformational Retreats for Men Seeking More Than Just a Break
The Bali Time Chamber, Indonesia
Part recovery zone, part mindset lab, this male-only retreat in the Balinese mountains is designed for high-performing men looking to level up. Inspired by the “time chamber” from Dragon Ball Z, it offers zero distractions, direct access to waterfalls, a gym and a collective of like-minded men. You must apply to join this seasonal immersion.
Zanskar Odyssey by Inner Outer Journeys, India
This 18-day motorcycle pilgrimage through the Zanskar Valley combines rugged adventure with deep inner work. Expect
men’s circles, breathwork and silence rituals amidst breathtaking Himalayan terrain. Facilitated by Gonçalo Luz, it welcomes beginners and seasoned riders alike. A motorcycle license and application are required.
EMX by Sacred Sons, USA & Europe
Sacred Sons’ four-day Embodied Masculine Experience (EMX) is for men at life’s thresholds—fatherhood, divorce, loss or
reinvention. Through breathwork, shadow work, and ritual in nature, men confront, heal and connect. The Circle, their online
membership, supports continued brotherhood.
Borderlands, India
Tailored for men in midlife, Borderlands fuses martial arts, somatics, psychology and nature immersion to help participants
reconnect with themselves and others. Founded by three fathers, it blends BJJ, contrast therapy, shadow work and forest rituals into a bold, embodied reset. Application required.
Men’s Health Retreat by Atmantan, India
This doctor-led retreat in the Sahyadris supports long-term health with diagnostics, nutrition, fitness and stress management. Chronic concerns like diabetes, sleep issues and cardiovascular risk are addressed alongside mental resilience. With daily movement, emotional tools and an aftercare plan, it’s designed for sustainable transformation.
Man Alive, UK
Set in nature, this four-day retreat brings together small groups of men for candid conversations, breathwork and emotional
release. Confidential group work fosters trust, laughter and long term connection, with a ritual to continue the journey together. It’s about presence, brotherhood and finding your truth.
You may also like
Six Senses Vana, India
Set in Dehradun’s sal forests, Six Senses Vana offers personalised retreats rooted in Ayurveda, yoga and Tibetan healing. From sound therapy and mindful hikes to biohacking tools and tailored diets, the goal is intentional realignment. Programmes range from 5 to 21 days.
Deplar Farm, Iceland
On Iceland’s wild Troll Peninsula, this luxe former sheep farm is all adrenaline and solitude. Expect snowmobiling, kayaking, geothermal soaks and meditative hikes under the Northern Lights. With cutting-edge recovery tools
and a primal edge, this is where transformation meets tundra.
To read more stories from Esquire India's May-June 2025 issue, pick up a copy of the magazine from your nearest newspaper stand or bookstore. Or click here to subscribe to the magazine.