Join us for Gay by Nature

a soulful SPRING retreat for gay men, by gay men.

May 28th - 31st

connect, reflect, and rediscover the joy of brotherhood in the heart of

Just Love forest.

Now in our third gathering, Gay by Nature continues to call in a beautiful kind of gay man. It’s those who long for deeper connection, authentic expression, spiritual grounding, and a meaningful relationship with nature.

Each year we’ve been profoundly moved by the men who arrive: open-hearted, curious, and ready to build real friendships rooted in presence, honesty, and care. What unfolds is a rare kind of brotherhood, one where you can be fully yourself, breathe more deeply, and feel at ease among others walking a similar path of growth and self-discovery.

This retreat is about creating a space where gay men can express themselves freely, connect authentically, and experience a sense of belonging that feels both nourishing and real. Together we’ll share wholesome meals, heartfelt conversation, laughter, stillness, and time immersed in the beauty of the natural world.

We’ll also journey together to the stunning Little River Canyon, letting its vast views and flowing waters remind us of the beauty and resilience within our own lives.

As Pride month begins, this weekend offers a grounded and life-affirming way to celebrate not through noise or performance, but through presence, friendship, nature, and the quiet joy of being fully ourselves together.

Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, you are warmly welcomed.

Come rest.
Come connect.
Come be fully, freely, gay by nature.

Join In!
A white teepee tent set up in a grassy field at sunset with the sun low on the horizon, and trees in the background.
A man practicing yoga in a balancing pose on a rock next to a flowing river within a narrow canyon surrounded by lush green trees.
A group of eleven friends standing on a wooden overlook deck in front of a waterfall, surrounded by green trees and hills, with a partly cloudy sky overhead.
  • A man with a beard, sitting peacefully on a wooden chair in a forest, eyes closed, enjoying nature.

    listening to your heart

  • A group of hikers climbing up a steep, wooded trail surrounded by green foliage.

    Forest therapy

  • A scenic view of rolling hills and mountains at sunset, with a forest of green trees in the foreground.

    Big open spaces

  • A group of people sitting around a wooden table in a forest, enjoying a gathering with food and drinks, with a sign that says 'YURT' on a tree in the background.

    Friendship

  • Group of people sitting on chairs outdoors on a grassy hill, wearing casual summer clothes and hats, some with backpacks, under a cloudy sky.

    Contemplation

  • Silhouette of a person standing outdoors under cloudy night sky with moonlight

    night gathering

  • A large oval platter with grilled broccoli, shredded carrots, red peppers, green onions, chopped nuts, and lime wedges, garnished with additional green herbs, on a rustic wooden table.

    Delicious plant-based meals

  • Three shirtless men standing on a large rock, one on hands and knees, in a wooded outdoor area.

    Camaraderie in nature

  • A man standing outdoors at night holding fire in his hand as part of a fire performance, wearing a colorful patterned shirt and striped pants.

    fire circles

  • A man meditating in a yoga pose indoors, sitting cross-legged on a cushion with hands in prayer position, surrounded by spiritual objects and plants outside a window.

    Yoga in the yurt with jimmy

  • A group of people participating in a yoga or meditation session in a circular arrangement, lying on mats and resting on pillows inside a wooden yurt with large windows and a forest view outside.

    Yoga in the yurt with jimmy

  • A man lying on a rock by the water, wearing a straw hat and green shorts, with camping gear and shoes nearby, appears to be relaxing.

    Chilling

  • A man in a pink t-shirt and beige shorts is sitting at a wooden table outdoors, lighting a birthday candle on a banana toast. There is a blue mug on the table and a forest background. Another man in a black hoodie and blue shorts is sitting in the background, smiling.

    Celebrating with new friends

  • Two smiling men taking a selfie in front of a waterfall surrounded by green trees, with a bridge in the background.

    Jimmy & Bala

🌈 Gay by Nature SPRING Retreat Schedule 💦

Where forest meets friendship. A soulful, heart-forward nature retreat for gay men.

Thursday – Arrive & Exhale

4:00 PM – Arrivals Open

Land gently. Set up your tent, sip some tea, wander into the trees. No rush.

6:30 PM – Dinner

Plant-based, hearty, and grounding for the journey ahead.

7:30 PM – Chill Yoga with Jimmy

Unwind your body and breathe into the forest rhythm.

8:30 PM – Fireside Connections

An evening circle of ease with stories, sparks, and soft landing into community.

🌼

Friday – Rooting Deeper

7:30 AM – Optional Meditation with Bala

Begin the day in stillness under morning light.

8:30 AM – Breakfast

Fuel up with warm nourishment.

11:00 AM – Additional Arrivals

A window for latecomers to join and settle.

12:30 PM – Lunch

Linger, laugh, and settle in deeper.

1:30 PM – Introductions Circle

Come as you are. Be seen, be held, be welcomed.

2:30 PM – Walk to the Labyrinth

A meditative forest journey toward your own center.

3:30–5:00 PM – Personal Time

Rest, journal, hammock, breathe. Let the land hold you.

5:00 PM – Yin/Yang Yoga with Jimmy

Stretch into softness, strength, and surrender.

6:30 PM – Dinner

8:00 PM – Forest Therapy After Dark: Stargazing & Sounds of the Night

A slow, sensory immersion in nighttime stillness under stars, wrapped in presence.

🍂

Saturday – Wild Heart, Deep Soul

7:30 AM – Optional Meditation with Bala

8:30 AM – Breakfast

9:30–11:00 AM – Personal Time

Let the morning unfold as needed.

11:00 AM – 1:30 PM – Forest Therapy Hike to Bhakti Mountain

A gentle pilgrimage up the sacred slope. We’ll bring a packed lunch & picnic at the summit.

2:00–5:00 PM – Personal Time

Nap in the sun, write in your journal, or just be.

5:00 PM – Yin Yoga with Jimmy

Come home to your breath, your hips, your heart.

6:30 PM – Dinner

7:30 PM – Fireside Connection: Deeper Discussions

Speak your truth. Share your journey. Listen with soul.

8:30 PM – Music & Joyful Noise

Grab a drum, a shaker, your voice or your silence. Celebrate aliveness.

🍂

Sunday – Integration & Embodiment

7:30 AM – Optional Meditation with Bala

8:30 AM – Breakfast

10:00 AM – Closing Circle

12:00 PM – Optional Little River Canyon Excursion

For those who feel called to explore a bit further, we’ll be offering an optional day excursion to Little River Canyon following our time together at the forest. We’ll depart from the land in the morning with simple packed lunches prepared for the journey, making our way to one of the Southeast’s most stunning natural landscapes.

There, the day unfolds at your own rhythm. You might wander along the canyon rim, sit quietly with the river, share conversation on sun-warmed stones, or simply take in the vastness of sky and water. This outing is less about agenda and more about spaciousness. It’s a chance to let nature continue its gentle work within you.

At the close of our time together, everyone will depart either from the forest after our gathering or directly from the canyon. There will be no return to the land afterward, allowing the experience to gently complete itself wherever you feel ready to head home.


Return home whenever your heart feels full.

Three white canvas tents set up in a dense, green forest with sunlight filtering through trees.

YOUR RETREAT AWAITS

Retreat Amenities

⚘ 3 Days + 2 Nights Accommodations in your own single queen or twin mattress bell tent, plus enjoy group activities and meals all weekend:


⚘ 6 Nourishing Plant-Based Meals
⚘ Beautiful Yurt Gathering Space
⚘ Personal Time for Reflection + Heartfelt Connection
⚘ Inclusive Community with Experienced Guides and Spiritual Seekers of All Levels

Early Arrival (optional): Arrive Thursday @ 4 PM instead of Friday and enjoy a pre-treat dinner, special yoga session with Jimmy, fire circle and accommodations for an additional fee.

Save your spot!
Two shirtless men smiling at each other while standing in a river with a waterfall in the background.

Registration for

Gay by Nature

Early Bird Registration: March 1st - April 1st

Treat yourself to this soul-nourishing weekend in the forest. Pay less when you register early!

You’re welcome to join us for the full experience beginning Thursday at 4 PM, or arrive Friday at 11 AM for a spacious two-night option. Choose what works best for your heart and schedule.

✨ Bell Tent (Deluxe Canvas – Queen Bed)

Spacious, cozy, and fully set up for your arrival.

Thursday–Sunday: $900

Early Bird: $800

Friday–Sunday: $800

Early Bird: $700

🔥 Teepee Tent (Nylon tent – Twin or Full Bed)

A simple, charming space to rest under the trees.

Thursday–Sunday: $700

Early Bird: $600

Friday–Sunday: $600

Early Bird: $500

🌲 Self-Camping (Bring Your Own Tent)

Sleep under the stars in your own setup.

Thursday–Sunday: $350

Early Bird: $300

Friday–Sunday: $300

Early Bird: $250

All prices are per person and plus tax. Your stay includes:

✔️ All meals (plant-based and nourishing)

✔️ All programming, forest therapy, and yoga

✔️ Hiking trails, springs, and community fire circles

Payment plan & financial support options are available. Please contact bala@justloveforest.com with your questions.

Join Gay by Nature 2026 today
A beige camping tent with a mesh front and a pointed top, set up in a wooded area with trees and purple flowering bushes in the background, and a wooden stump and small table nearby.

Nylon Tee Pee with inflatable Twin

A man sleeping on a bed inside a large tent with red and white fabric panels.
A white canvas tent set up in a wooded area with a wooden platform in front, a pair of shoes on the platform, an old wooden chair to the left, surrounded by tall, leafless trees.

Deluxe Canvas Bell with tempurpedic Queen

Check in Time

Thursday, Oct 16th @ 4 PM

or

Friday, Oct 17th @ 11 AM

Check out Time

Sunday , Oct 19th @ 11 AM

Meet your teachers

  • A smiling man taking a selfie outdoors with a rainbow and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

    Bala

    I came to meditation during a season of upheaval—one of those moments when life cracks you open and invites you to listen more deeply. A profound experience seven years ago shifted everything, and I began to see the world through new eyes. What followed was a year of immersive study with teachers across traditions, from the quiet hills of Encinitas to the sacred lands of India.

    Eventually, I was blessed to sit with Ram Dass and Jack Kornfield—two souls whose presence and teachings anchored my path. I felt called to share this work, to help others find a sense of purpose, alignment, and connection in the midst of everyday life.

    I completed the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program through Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, in partnership with the Awareness Training Institute and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. Alongside that training, I engaged in a six-month DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accountability) intensive to better hold space for all people, all identities, and all stories.

    My offerings are rooted in presence, kindness, and deep listening. I create spaces where people can slow down, tune in, and reconnect with their own inner wisdom—through forest therapy, guided meditation, and simply being in community.

    I live in the forest with my husband and our beloved dog, Winnie. I’m honored to be here with you as we welcome Pride Month—not just with celebration, but with intention, healing, and heart.

    — Bala

  • A man with sunglasses sitting outdoors during sunset with a pride flag banner in the background.

    Jimmy Urciuoli

    “I discovered yoga in 2012 after an injury left me searching for a path to heal. What started as physical recovery quickly became something deeper—a lifeline for my mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As an addict in recovery, I’ve leaned on both yoga and nature as powerful tools for healing, regulation, and reconnection—with myself, with others, and with something bigger.

    Since completing my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification in 2013, I’ve led over 1,700 yoga sessions for people from all walks of life. My style is grounded in breath, intention, and deep listening. I specialize in yin and slow, breath-focused vinyasa that invites students to come as they are and move with presence. My classes are trauma-informed, inclusive, and heart-centered—spaces where people can drop the mask and reconnect to their body, breath, and their truth.

    Outside of the studio, I serve as the Executive Director of Green Steps, a grassroots environmental nonprofit working to end litter and expand access to clean, healthy outdoor spaces in the greater Chattanooga region. I’m also active in LGBTQ+ advocacy, and I’m passionate about creating spaces where queer folks—especially gay men—can gather in nature, feel safe in their bodies, and celebrate their wholeness.

    I believe that yoga and the outdoors are medicine, and I’m honored to share both at this retreat as we kick off Pride Month. Whether you’re here to rest, connect, or reimagine what’s possible, I hope our time together helps you feel a little more free, a little more grounded, and a lot more loved.”

    Jimmy Urciuoli

    200 E-RYT

A man sitting calmly on a wooden chair in a lush green forest with sunlight filtering through the trees.
Scenic view of a river with waterfalls, surrounded by trees and a bridge in the background.
People participating in a group yoga or meditation session inside a yurt with wooden walls and ceiling, with mats, cushions, and decorative items on the floor.

Our IntentionS in offering this space

This retreat is an invitation to begin Pride Month in the company of kindred spirits gathered in the forest to rest, reflect, and reconnect. Over the span of three days, we’ll live simply and intentionally, surrounded by nature and supported by a loving community.

There is no single path, no required belief system. What brings us together is a shared desire to live with open hearts, to nourish our well-being, and to be in honest connection with ourselves and each other. The forest holds us as we slow down, breathe deeply, and tune into what matters most.

Rather than being led from the front, this retreat is guided by the group itself with each participant bringing their own medicine. While there will be moments of meditation, yoga, forest walks, and group sharing, the heart of the retreat is the space we create together. Like a tribe, we offer each other encouragement, insight, and presence as we move through the weekend.

We walk gently on the land, honoring the forest as a living partner in our experience. Through “wild tending,” we engage with the natural world not only with awe, but with care and reciprocity. We gather not only to recharge, but to remember that we are part of something greater, and we belong.

At its core, this retreat is about living authentically, connecting deeply, and supporting one another in becoming more fully ourselves. It’s about showing up as joyful, tender, messy, beautiful people and being met with love.

“i would like my life to be statement of love and compassion - and where it isn’t, that’s where my work lies.”

Ram Dass