Coming in 2013: Four Great Naked Yoga Retreats

Coming in 2013:   Four Great  Naked Yoga Retreats  (with four equally great instructors)   May 9-13: Spring Retreat with    Jason Firth & Maurice R Lardinois    We are pleased to welcome back Jason Firth to lead our spring naked yoga retreat.  Jason received his Yoga Alliance teaching credentials in 2011.  He has studied with Hot Nude Yoga's Aaron Star in Costa Rica, Australia and Cambodia. He currently leads the Las Vegas Men's Naked Yoga Group. Having practiced as a big-firm lawyer for 15 years, Jason particularly enjoys teaching busy professionals to incorporate yoga into their daily routines. His retreats start each day with morning cleansing rituals (kriyas) and a short, guided meditation. The yoga classes will feature vinyasa flow, Acroyoga-inspired partner poses, group Ashtanga work and even hot tub yoga. Jason will be assisted by Maurice R Lardinois, a gifted energy healer with certifications in Matrix Energetics and Insight I and II.  Throughout the retreat, Jason and Maurice will be offering private, four-hand Watsu healing treatments in Triangle Inn's beautiful pool.  July 18-22: Summer Retreat with   Bryan Harrelson     Bryan Harrelson began his journey into the world of yoga in 2007. He believed that yoga was a right, and continues to hold on to that belief today. "Anyone who wants to do yoga should be able to do so," Bryan says. "For that reason I am proud that all of the classes that I offer are donation based. "I began my training in the Ashtanga style of yoga. After completing my Ashtanga Teacher Training I was introduced to Anusara Yoga and fell in love. I have a total of 380 hours of Yoga Alliance certified training. Now I practice and teach in a style that is authentic to myself in the moment. Sometimes I teach a slow meditative class while other times I teach a more rigorous class. All of my classes focus breath and on physical alignment. Students of all levels are welcome to every class." October 17-21: Fall Retreat with   Denny Richard    Denny moved to Arizona in 2006 to pursue a 200 hour yoga certification at the Seven Centers in Sedona.  This 30 day intensive study changed his life. In 2009, he opened Peaceful Roots, a Therapeutic Yoga and Holistic Fitness center in Phoenix, AZ. In 2011, he took his passion and skills to Portland, OR, where he completed his first book, Mirror/Mirror - a holistic approach to living well. Denny's newest book, The Life Artist, a radical change book of life, will be released for eBook in 2013. It explores change in a healthy and holistic environment. "Feeling better all starts with changing your mind," Denny says. "Life is full of amazing adventures, a continual process unfolding to us moment by moment.  There are many paths to full liberation and each of us creates his own path. When we use yoga and meditation to help us along that path, the path becomes clearer every moment of every day."  December 12-16: December Retreat with  Ken Breniman   Ken has practiced yoga for over 10 years and became certified with Yoga Alliance as a RYT-200 after graduating from Yoga Tree's YogaTeacher Training program in 2006. Yoga Alliance has recognized him as a ERYT-500 as he completed his Yoga Therapy training at Ananda Seva Mission in July 2010. Ken has been leading a Naked Men's class in San Francisco since 2007.  He teaches 2 weekly Naked Men's Yoga as well as provides Naked Partner Yoga for Men workshops and Basics/Yoga Introductory Workshops for the NYM community.  Ken's classes are for all levels, all bodies, all MEN! In his classes, Ken provides eclectic Non-denominational Hatha yoga guidance, honoring a variety of traditions, such as Iyengar alignment principles, invigorating Kudalini Kriya, and playful Acroyoga-inspired partner work. He invites you to embrace SIMPLICITY, PATIENCE and COMPASSION as you deepen your practice and your connection with your true Self. Ken offers Yoga Therapy workshops on a variety of topics such as restorative yoga, grief, relationships, stress reduction and coping with chronic illness. In addition to yoga, Ken also serves as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.  Many of his workshops can be counted towards Continuing Education contact hours for Nurses, LCSWs and MFTs in California. There's more information about all these great retreats on our website: www.triangle-inn.com  or you can call us at   800-732-7555

The Triangle Inn Palm Springs 555 E San Lorenzo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264 CONTACT US BY PHONE: 760.322.7993/800.732.7555 CONTACT US BY EMAIL: triangleinnps@earthlink.net

2011 Palm Springs International Short Film Fest To Include Over 40 LGBT Shorts!

The 2011 Palm Springs International ShortFest, Short Film Festival & Film Market is always a great event, and this year, its roster of 331 films, selected from more than 3,000 worldwide entries, includes 45+ LGBT shorts! Now in its 17th year, ShortFest 2011 will showcase 64 World Premieres, 58 North American Premieres and 25 U.S. Premieres. The selection of films for screening and competition features star-studded casts and award-winning films from 50 countries around the world. The Event runs from June 21 through 27, at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs.  We hope you can join us at the Triangle Inn Palm Springs to enjoy the Festival.

Anything for You USA, 2010, 10 min. Over a lunch that begins like many they've had before, a discussion between two women unexpectedly turns away from the menu.... more

AWOL USA, 2010, 13 min. Days before she’s to be deployed to Afghanistan, Joey goes home to rural Pennsylvania for Christmas and surprises her lover, Rayna. Joey opens up and shares her secret holiday wish, but Rayna has other plans.... more

Baldguy Norway, 2011, 12 min. A young guy comes home to his folks with a momentous announcement to make, setting the stage for a fabulous musical set in the streets of a small Norwegian town(!)... more

The Binding of Ishmael Singapore, 2010, 8 min. A son’s filial duty is stretched to the limit when his father asks him to return home for help with his younger brother. ... more

Bob Germany, 3 min. A little hamster tries to follow his true love around the globe, dreaming of romance in the exotic locales as they go around, and around, and around…. ... more

Cappuccino Switzerland, 2010, 16 min. A teen with his eyes on another boy at his school gets a rude awakening after an all-too-brief ‘date’ with the object of his desire in this delightful tale of youthful longing.... more

Carmen Rupe Australia, 2010, 11 min. This fascinating documentary introduces us to 74 year old Carmen, an Aussie drag queen and former showgirl who recounts the triumphs and tribulations of her life on stage and off.... more

Change USA, 2010, 23 min. On one momentous day in 2008, a young man awaits the results of two decisions that could change his life forever: the election of Barrack Obama and the success or failure of Prop. 8. If only all of life was as open to change…... more

Charlotte Australia, 2011, 4 min. After a disastrous blind date, Charlotte must take a hard look at the way the world sees her.... more

Civil Unions: A Love Story USA, 2010, 4 min. This short satire imagines a world where marriage doesn’t exist, and civil unions actually constitute a fair and equal happy ending for everybody.... more

The Confession of Father John Thomas Australia, 2011, 5 min. In this outrageously graphic animated short, a priest gives confession to a lesbian, which liberates him enough to make his own break from the closet.... more

Cubicle Two United Kingdom, 2010, 10 min. Seeking refuge from a group of bullying boys, a gay student finds himself unexpectedly sharing a cubicle with a sympathetic soul.... more

dik Australia, 2010, 10 min. When a young boy draws a picture of what appears to be him rubbing his best friend’s ‘dik’, his parents are thrown into paroxysms of guilt and self doubt, accusing each other of all manner of sexual peccadilloes.... more

Dont Brejk Maj Turbofolk Hart Germany, 2011, 24 min. In this provocative (and sexy) Serbian drama, mutual attraction and post-nationalist politics come head-to-head with the old ways of thinking, leading to potentially explosive consequences. ... more

Dreaming American USA, 2011, 25 min. A handsome young illegal immigrant finds work as a go go dancer in a gay bar while he pursues legal status and a career as an actor in New York City in this contemporary tale about the pursuit of happiness.... more

Everyone Who Hears This Story Gets Laid USA, 2011, 14 min. A man delivers a vastly entertaining monologue about his sexual exploits while he was in the army in this strangely compelling one-man show.... more

The First USA, 2011, 13 min. A handsome young man has first-time sex with both male and female partners, but is he more drawn to one than the other?... more

Flyers USA, 2011, 3 min. For one young woman, coming out seems to be a very public affair. ... more

Further Lane USA, 2010, 13 min. Ben, a handsome young handyman, looks after a house in the Hamptons for a wealthy New York businessman and his family, but there’s more to this story of a seemingly simple young guy than initially meets the eye…... more

Half-Share USA, 2011, 29 min. Fresh out of a long term relationship, Matt takes a time-share on Fire Island for the summer and must decide whether he can handle his eccentric new housemates on the mythical Isle of Misfit Boys. ... more

Halloween is a Drag USA, 2011, 10 min. Palm Springs’ legendary Arenas Street Halloween party is the subject of this lively documentary capturing the night of costumed revelry in all its splendor.... more

Henry & Anthony USA, 2010, 20 min. When his young son demonstrates an ever more serious interest in things that little boys are not supposed to be interested in, Henry’s dad grapples with the conflict between his liberal beliefs and his societal instincts as a father. ... more

I Now Pronounce You Husband & Husband USA, 2010, 20 min. A fascinating look at the effort of New Paltz, NY mayor Jason West’s effort to wed same sex couples and the subsequent political firestorm and arrest he faced as a result.... more

James Dean United Kingdom, 2010, 7 min. A family tries it’s best to get out of the driveway, but one of their daughters has decided it’s finally time to bring out the ‘real’ her.... more

Johnny & Lyman: A Life Together USA, 2010, 18 min. Having met on the beach in Santa Monica in 1945, Johnny and Lyman have been partners for more than 60 years. In 2008, they joined 18,000 other gay and lesbian couples in America in applying for a marriage license. This is their story.... more

The Kiss Australia, 2010, 16 min. Two girls riding their bikes through the woods on a sultry summer night come upon a fire reservoir tank and decide to take a swim, but learn once they are in the tank that getting out is not as easy as getting in. Winner: Best Short Fiction Film, Best Cinematography, Australian Film Industry Awards.... more

Liv Finland, 2010, 14 min. Feisty nine-year-old Liv dislikes her father’s new partner Tony and longs for her deceased mom. When it seems she’s losing the battle for her dad’s attention, she takes an unusual revenge.... more

Loop Planes USA, 2010, 11 min. A summer crush has Nick finding love at the carnival despite all appearances to the contrary. ... more

The Maiden and The Princess USA, 2010, 17 min. Emmy is the subject of a fairy tale writer who has been reprimanded by the higher powers to start writing stories the ‘right way’ or else. But Emmy won’t be kept down, no matter what authority insists on it. ... more

Marcela Argentina, 2010, 9 min. On the eve of her 40th birthday, Marcela chooses to celebrate by listing the 10 most wonderful moments in her life; trouble is after 40 years, she can only come up with 9.... more

Moonless Night Mexico, 2010, 13 min. Two men are last seen together on an apartment balcony in macho Mexico, and one subsequently winds up dead on the ground below. Is it murder, or is there more to the story than may come to light?... more

Now Here USA, 2010, 11 min. Set in 1985 as AIDS ravaged the gay community in New York City, this moving story recounts the story of Franco, who flirts with reckless behavior on his birthday after the love of his life falls ill with the virus.... more

Public USA, 2010, 14 min. A beautiful inner-city teacher faces her own questions of identity when she tries to connect with her most difficult student. ... more

Rubdown USA, 2010, 12 min. Andrew, a private detective, is hired by a spa owner to check up on a hot male masseur and make sure he’s following the company’s ‘modesty’ policy. What follows is anything but modest…... more

Shave USA, 2010, 6 min. A man checks into a hotel room and proceeds to pursue his fantasy until a phone call abruptly brings him back to reality.... more

The Shower Chile, 10 min. Sexy, smart and soulful, The Shower tracks the traumatic final stage of a relationship and the even more frightening question of what’s next. Winner of Best Short Film at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.... more

Snapshot USA, 2010, 6 min. In this lovely short story, a woman entertains her daughter’s suitor while her daughter gets ready for the girl’s first date.... more

Some Things Are Worse Than Being Gay USA, 2011, 7 min. Leah has a confession to make to her overbearing Jewish parents, but the subject of her confession is not what concerns them…... more

Time After Time USA, 2010, 4 min. Two young girls and a boy join in impromptu sing-along but what transpires over the musical notes is more than just a song. ... more

Tsuyako Japan, 2011, 21 min. In Japan, 1952, Tsuyako tries to live the life that has been set out for her—husband, children, work at the factory and care for her family. Yet when her friend arrives from Tokyo, Tsuyako finds herself entranced by the dream of a different life. ... more

Twinset Scotland, 2010, 12 min. This truly exceptional documentary introduces us to a man living his life as a woman in a small, quaint British town where the elderly ladies of the town accept him as one of their own.... more

Uniformed Spain, 2010, 18 min. Lonely Margaret is assaulted daily by numerous ‘uniform’ messages that try to educate her to fulfill a concrete social role. But Margaret has a little secret that, once shared, will elevate her past the uniform. ... more

Vapor Canada, 2010, 11 min. Having carefully composed his plans, a Mexican man spends his day living it as he has always wanted to – as a homosexual who accepts himself and his needs. Genie (Canadian Oscars®) nominee for Best Live Action Canadian Short and Jutra nominee for Best Quebec Short.... more

Verona Canada, 2010, 24 min. Laurie Lynd (The Fairy Who Didn’t Want To Be a Fairy Anymore) directed this elaborate take off on Romeo and Juliet, with two boys from opposing fraternities falling in love – much to the consternation of their frat brothers.... more

Wild Imaginings Australia, 2011, 9 min. A young man deals with his infatuation with his best friend through his fantasy world.... more

Hiking in the Mecca Hills....

This year’s hike during the May Naked Yoga Retreat may have been our best ever! An energetic (albeit small) group of us went down into the Mecca Hills (the Painted Canyon area to be exact) on a beautiful cloudless day in May, and enjoyed one GREAT hike on the Painted Canyon/Ladder Canyon Loop.

The Mecca Hills sit directly above the San Andreas fault, at the very edge of the North American plate. As a result, the earth, rocks, and mineral deposits in the area have been squeezed, compressed, contorted, and pushed up to the surface many times over the past Millennia. 

This almost continuous upheaval, has created a profusion of shapes and colors in the stone and earth that make up the hills - red abuts tan, dark gray abuts pale lilac, orange abuts dark purple. 

Add to all that activity, the action of rain and water over hundreds of thousands of years, and the result is a beautiful, if somewhat otherworldly desert landscape with a plethora of deep vertical canyons, sharp cliffs, soft-edged caves, and spectacular rock formations.

Access to the area is relatively easy, and as long as you don’t mind dirt roads, you can get pretty close in to the camping and hiking areas. Our trek took us into the Painted Canyon, where we parked the car, then continued on foot. I saw one snake (nonpoisonous) less than five minutes after we got out of the car. It was seeking the same shade that I was! I let the snake have it....

We continued on into the Canyon, which had several large groupings of shrubs, grasses and small trees (mostly Palo Verdes), and saw quite a number of Hummingbirds, as well as several Western Tanagers (that were clearly dressed in their Spring mating colors).

The males were beautiful – bright red heads, yellow bodies, black tails, and wings that were yellow with black stripes. Females were less colorful – mostly soft yellow and gray. 

Tanagers are song birds, and these were singing joyfully. The hummingbirds were raucous as well; chattering after us to keep moving and leave their small hidden nests alone.

Following the stone arrows on the ground, we entered the ladder Canyon – a deep vertical canyon carved out of the solid rock by water. 

The way is steep in places; so steep in fact, that you have to climb a series of ladders to access the trail. Portions of the trail are just wide enough for one person to pass, and the walls on either side rise up hundreds of feet above you. Pretty amazing!

After some rigorous walking (they said this was an easy/moderate hike, but I’d hesitate to take just anybody on it), we came back out into the open at the top of the hills above the Painted Canyon.

The view was spectacular. You could see the Salton Sea to the West and South, as well as the surrounding Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. 

Our descent was a loop trail that eventually brought us back to the ladder Canyon, where we crawled back down the ladders and back into the Painted Canyon. 

I highly recommend this hike, and am looking forward to exploring the area further.