Why Men’s Work Matters
Many men walk through life carrying unseen wounds—patterns formed in childhood that shape the way they navigate relationships, emotions, and self-worth. Whether it’s the father wound of absence, criticism, or emotional distance, or the mother wound of enmeshment, rejection, or overprotection, these early experiences define how we show up in the world.
Men’s work is the path of returning to wholeness—of learning to hold yourself fully, regulate emotions, and break the cycles that keep you stuck. When a man does this deep work, he not only transforms his own life but also becomes a pillar of strength for others—his partner, children, and community.
One of the most profound ways we explore these wounds in The Forgotten Man—A Men’s Retreat is through Family Constellation work. This group-based healing practice helps uncover generational patterns and hidden loyalties that may be keeping you tied to unconscious pain. Through this work, many men experience deep emotional release, newfound compassion for their parents, and a sense of liberation from the past.
Healing the Father & Mother Wounds
The Father Wound
For many men, the relationship with their father was marked by distance, absence, or criticism. A man who grows up without emotional presence and guidance from his father often:
Seeks external validation in work or relationships
Struggles with self-worth and confidence
Feels disconnected from a sense of healthy masculinity
Healing the father wound doesn’t mean fixing the past but rather learning to father yourself. Through practices like breathwork and de-armouring, men in our retreats access and release suppressed emotions they’ve held in their bodies for years—sometimes decades.
The Mother Wound
The mother wound often shows up in two opposite ways—either over-attachment (difficulty setting boundaries, people-pleasing, emotional dependency) or rejection of the feminine (emotional shut-down, fear of intimacy, or deep resentment toward women).
In Somagetic Men’s Work, we don’t just talk about these patterns—we work through them in the body. Whether through ecstatic experience to reconnect with life-force energy, somatic de-armouring to release stored emotions, or family constellation work to shift unconscious dynamics, we create a space where deep transformation happens.
The Inner Boy & the Mature Man
Every man has an inner boy—the younger self who was wounded, unheard, or abandoned in some way. When left unintegrated, the inner boy often runs our lives without us realizing it.
He shows up in:
Defensiveness, blame, or victimhood in relationships
Emotional shutdown or explosive reactions
A deep fear of failure or rejection
The mature man, however, is not ruled by his past. He learns to hold his own emotions with presence, to expand his nervous system’s capacity, and to respond rather than react.
One of the most powerful tools we integrate into The Forgotten Man retreat is breathwork—a method of activating both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to clear emotional blockages and cultivate inner resilience. This, combined with shadow work, helps men confront and integrate the parts of themselves they’ve long avoided.
The Power of Brotherhood
Men’s work isn’t meant to be done alone. Healing happens in connection, in the presence of other men who see you fully.
In Somagetic retreats, brotherhood is cultivated through feedback circles, presence practices, and shared experiences. These spaces break down the walls of competition and isolation and create a deep sense of trust, accountability, and support.
Many men leave these experiences not just with personal breakthroughs but with lifelong friendships and a renewed sense of masculine integrity.
The Path Forward: Holding Yourself & Others
Healing your past is not just for you—it ripple effects into your relationships, your family, and the world around you. When a man has done his inner work, he:
Holds space for others with presence
Leads his life with integrity and confidence
Moves from reactivity to emotional mastery
This is the invitation of The Forgotten Man Retreat—a space to uncover what’s been holding you back, reconnect with your inner power, and step into the man you were always meant to be.
Ready to go deeper? Explore The Forgotten Man Retreat and take the next step.
For those looking for individualized guidance, 1-on-1 Somagetic sessions offer a space for personal exploration and deeper integration.
If you’re interested in learning to guide others through profound emotional work, Somagetic Practitioner Trainings provide a path to mastering breathwork, de-armouring, and energy work.