My Maine Man
Men’s Wellness Retreat
Join us for a weekend of Wellness, Writing & Wilderness
Nestled within the picturesque Carrabassett Valley in Franklin County, Maine only a few miles south of Sugarloaf Mountain, this winter retreat offers a unique blend of rejuvenating yoga and creative and professional writing in an intimate and rustic setting. With snow-draped pines and a tranquil atmosphere, participants can immerse themselves in self-discovery and artistic expression all within the Gilded Age mansion and grounds of the peaceful Santosha at Hillholm Estate. The retreat takes place in a charming lodge surrounded by pristine nature. Large windows provide stunning views of snow-covered landscapes, while the warm interior features a fireplace, inviting nooks for reading, and communal spaces for reflection and connection.
Transformative Daily Sessions Include:
MORNING YOGA
Each day begins with a dynamic yoga session, designed to awaken the body and calm the mind. Led by International Yoga Teacher Patrick Franco, classes will focus on intelligent movement, precision and alignment, to awaken the body and the mind, accommodating all levels. As the sun rises over the frosty landscape, participants will find their inner peace and clarity, setting a positive tone for the day.
DAILY WRITING
Following yoga, participants will engage in immersive creative and professional writing workshops, guided by Dr. Dan Tulino. These sessions will explore various genres and techniques, from poetry and fiction to policy writing and personal essays. Prompts will encourage introspection and creativity, fostering a supportive environment where writers can share and grow.
SOUND HEALING
Before dinner each night, you’ll be invited to join us for evening yoga and meditation classes will be more introspective in nature. The movements will be slower, the postures more nurturing, and the mood relaxed and restorative. It will include a mix of restorative yoga postures, intuitive breathing practices, and crystal bowl sound healing meditations.
Tentative Daily Schedule
- Coffee, Tea, Light Snacks
- Morning Yoga: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
- Breakfast: 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
- Writing Workshop: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Lunch: 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
- Afternoon Free Time: Explore nearby trails, cozy up with a book, Spa Treatments (at your own cost), or enjoy personal writing time
- Evening Yoga: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Dinner and Reflection: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Evening Free Time: Enjoy the comforts of an outdoor sauna, hot tub, fire pits, cozy up with a book, or enjoy personal writing time
Additional Activities
Participants can take advantage of optional activities such as guided snowshoeing, journaling sessions by the fire, or one-on-one mentoring with the writing facilitator.
Evening gatherings may include group readings, playing music, sharing stories, and discussing techniques to enhance both yoga and writing practices.
Participants will also have access to dog-friendly rooms, outdoor sauna and hot tub, and firepits across the grounds.
My Maine Man: Retreat Details
When & Where?
The retreat will be held at
Santosha at Hillholm Estate
33 Winter Hill Rd,
Kingfield, ME 04947
Check in:
Thursday, February 20th
Check out:
Sunday, February 23rd
What’s Included?
- 3 Nights Shared Room Accommodations
- 4 Meals Per Day
- 1 or 2 Yoga Classes Per Day with Patrick Franco
- 1 or 2 Journaling Sessions Per Day with Daniel Tulino
- All taxes
What’s Not Included?
- Transportation (can coordinate carpooling from NYC area)
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Any excursions not included in the retreat itinerary
- Gratuities, personal effects, or room services
- Spa Treatments
Pricing & Payment Options
Payments can be made by check or credit card. Payments made with a credit card will incur an additional 4% credit card fee.
- Shared Occupancy Lodging: $1499
- Early Bird Discount: $1399 paid in full by November 15th
Payment Plan
- $375 Deposit to hold your spot
- 3 Additional Payments of $375 due 12/1, 1/1, 2/1
*No refunds after January 15th, 2025
*Cancellation (done in writing to patrick@yogarenew.com and confirmed) before January 15, 2025 will receive a refund minus $375 non-refundable deposit
Meet Your Hosts
Daniel Tulino
Searcher. Artist. Researcher focused on equity in schools, developing mutualistic partnerships with schools and communities, and the development of critical consciousness through the iterative process of writing and reflection. Dr. Daniel Tulino is an Assistant Professor of Education at Stockton University where he is also the Community Leadership and Social Change Minor Coordinator.
Dan earned his PhD in Language and Literacy from Rowan University. He also received his B.A., M.A., and M.F.A. in Professional and Creative Writing from William Paterson University. Dan has also served as an English Language Arts teacher and specialist in the Irvington Public Schools for ten years, as well as teaching English Composition I & II at Passaic County Community College in Paterson, New Jersey for five years.
Patrick Franco
Playfulness and Precision. Patrick’s classes are devoted to creating a light hearted atmosphere that encourages self-study through alignment focused yoga and traditional yogic philosophy. Patrick’s teaching is drawn from the 5,000 year old tradition of yoga and rooted in ancient texts and practices but integrated and applied in a way that is relevant to the unique and modern world in which we live. Patrick Franco, E-RYT 500 is the Director of YogaRenew, the world’s largest online teacher training platform.
Patrick has been practicing and leading yoga classes for 20 years. After his initial 500 hours of Yoga Teacher Training, he completed the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training Program in 2019 for an additional 330 hours of study at the Iyengar Institute of New York. He is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500 hour level (E-RYT 500) with Yoga Alliance and also a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac) in New York State.