The schedule will vary slightly from day to day. The first and last days include our Opening and Closing Circles. All classes and workshops are optional, so you’re warmly invited to shape the retreat in a way that best supports your own needs.
MAY 21–24, 2026
Shifting towards summer, we reignite the inner light of our present hearts through yoga and kirtan. We warmly invite you to arrive home through embodiment, sound and connection.
A RETREAT FOR YOU
As the sun brings nature into full sprout and bloom here in Sweden, we invite you to expand your heart presence with us. Tuning into the shift towards summer as the sun moves towards the brightest time of year, we tend to our inner light, to re-ignite and be reminded of the truth of our loving essence.
In this retreat we come together in deep body awareness and heart expansiveness. Music, sound, movement and stillness merge during the experience with at least one yoga session a day accompanied by gentle live music, yoga nidras followed by sound baths and sessions of voice activation and kirtan.
Each day offers a slightly different schedule, to gradually allow us to go deeper. We consistently have one yoga practice in the morning and one in the afternoon. As well as one session of kirtan per day and one somatic dance journey.
The yoga and somatic dance allows us to feel what is alive inside and move more easily into deeper layers of our beings, supporting also the experience in inner yoga. In the morning we move through mobility and fluent breath-led movements. The afternoon sessions are slower and soft, moving towards a more yin practice. In the somatic dance you’re guided through the body, always moving freely and with association to the elements, visualisations and your felt sense. To that subtle inner awareness which allows us to become present with what’s alive inside.
In inner yoga, such as meditation and bhakti we are invited to shift inward and may be reminded of our deeper connection to the whole. While kirtan quiets and centers our minds in a trance-like way, at the same time it offers feelings of celebration, expansive energy and playfulness. It is considered to be the yoga of loving devotion.
Whether you’re familiar with the practices or curious, the only thing you need to bring is an open heart-mind. No previous experience of yoga or kirtan is needed for your attendance. We explore through the body and voice with curiosity, without expectations or performing. All is welcome and already in perfect tune, as we express the voice of the heart and increase our inner listening.
We warmly welcome you to join us, as we arrive home: in introspection, relaxation, playfulness and connection.
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
Each day is designed to nourish the body, center the mind and move us closer into connection and heart presence, with a fully awakened nature of late spring.
Morning hatha flows and evening restorative sessions offered to all levels. Move at your own pace, always.
Devotional chanting and guided vocal exploration to awaken your authentic expression. No experience needed, just your voice and presence.
Wholesome, mostly organic plant-based meals, sourced locally whenever possible, to ground your body and restore your vitality.
Exploring the surrounding forest paths and taking refreshing dips in the lake, allowing the pristine beauty of nature to enliven and inspire you.
Gathering in presence, witnessing one another, and sharing meaningful moments.
Traditional Swedish sauna sessions overlooking the lake. Release tension, cleanse deeply, and let the heat do its ancient healing work.
— Anna-Marie
YOUR DAYS
The schedule will vary slightly from day to day. The first and last days include our Opening and Closing Circles. All classes and workshops are optional, so you’re warmly invited to shape the retreat in a way that best supports your own needs.
07:30
To meet the day with inner listening and presence, this Hatha-based session includes movement, breath and meditation.
09:00
A quiet morning meal enjoyed with presence and ease. Simple nourishment, shared space, and a gentle beginning to the day.
11:00
Exploring and playing with the voice, and devotional singing from the heart. Somatic Dance Journey will replace this session one of the days, and kirtan will be in the evening.
13:30
A vibrant, freshly prepared vegan buffet to nourish and delight the senses.
14:30
Take your time to integrate & relax. Enjoy the wood-fired sauna, the lake, the forest, or whatever your need and feel of the day is.
17:00
A slower paced session where we explore into gentle mobility, sensations, somatics and longer held yin poses, to unwind into restfulness.
19:00
Gather for a delicious, wholesome evening meal shared in a peaceful and heart-centered atmosphere.
20:20
Relax in Savasana, as you’re guided through a body scan, followed by a Sound bath, be carried into rest and drift with the surrounding soundscape. Kirtan will replace this session one of the days.
22:00
Get an early night's rest, or linger a little longer over a cup of tea in the living room. We kindly ask for quiet in the dorm and around the accommodation areas from 22:00 onwards.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Not Included
YOUR GUIDE
Cornelia delved deeper into yoga around 12 years ago. Connecting to the yogic teachings first in Sweden and then in India, where she completed her first teacher trainings in Rishikesh. She has been teaching in various ways and spaces since 2017. With her background in hatha yoga, vinyasa, mindfulness, meditation and yin, her way of teaching has become more free over the years. Often weaving in mindfulness and somatic awareness.
While she loves to hold space and teach, she has continuously embarked as a student on this spiritual journey. Additional teachings she brings with her include transformational leadership, healing, ecology and dance.
Growing up dancing and having studied within the professional dance field extensively, Cornelia has a profound interest in movement, both as an art and as a form of healing. These teachings also inspire her classes, in practical alignment, as well as finding ways to listen to the body’s language.
Her aim is to be a gentle guide, inviting you to explore with presence and warmth.
Yoga
Meditation
Mindfulness
Yoga Nidra
Healing Treatments
YOUR GUIDE
The way music can touch the heart has always intrigued and guided Diederick to sing and make music. After graduating from the conservatory, while chasing a career in pop music, spirituality became part of his life.
Discovering Bhakti Yoga and Vedanta has changed his approach to music beautifully, shifting from an ego driven ambition in performing, to joyful channeling of what the present has to offer in sharing and connection. This intention is felt during kirtan. It is often described as playful and dynamic, surrendering to the present in quiet and outbursting energy, joy and devotion. His calm, honest and open presence invites one to let go of the inner critic, opening the heart and voice to express what wants to be expressed.
This tuning in to what the present has to offer also translates to the live improvised yoga guidance and the sound baths. Tools like drums, guitar, harmonium, singing bowls, chimes, duduk and – of course – his voice. It is sometimes said the latter has healing qualities, touching various parts of the body and soul.
In daily life Diederick is also a singing teacher, guiding individuals to discover and embrace their unique voice.
Kirtan
Yoga
Vedanta
Sound baths
GUEST EXPERIENCES
“What a fantastic evening with such lovely energy. For me, Kirtan feels like coming home. Diederick’s music lifts you up, the mantras open your heart, and the energy is still working through me now. Come and experience it for yourself—you don’t have to be able to sing; just being present is already enough.”
“Cornelia is truly an amazing yoga teacher and person, she always makes you feel welcome and adapts the level perfectly for each practitioner. Cornelia infuses a calm and inspires to invite a spiritual mindset for whoever wants to. I recommend anyone who gets the chance to practice with her. It is clear that she is very knowledgeable and passionate about what she does.”
“A very beautiful and connecting evening with Didi guiding the kirtan. First of all, Didi has a wonderful voice, and he is open and creates a pleasant atmosphere in which I felt at ease. Singing together opens my heart, and at times I was deeply moved by the beautiful sounds we created together. An evening that will stay with me, and I would love to come again!”
“I had the blessing to join the morning classes with Cornelia within the radiant heart retreat. They were beautifully planned. Cornelia holds and shares a loving, peaceful space in her yoga classes.
I love her flow, ease, strength and creativity she combines with lots of knowledge about the human body. It is such a treat to practice with her. Thank you so much for your dedication and love you pour into the classes.”
“My first experience with Kirtan—what a warm, comforting bath that was! All kinds of feelings passed through me, but the sense of freedom and coming home stood out and moved me deeply. It was beautiful how Diederick guided the evening and opened himself up, which made me feel safe to be myself and connect with the others.
It’s wonderful to rediscover your voice in this way, to experiment, and meanwhile enjoy the beautiful sounds filling the (lovely) space. I naturally flowed along with it. Now I remember why I once loved singing so much. Thank you, Diederick, and my fellow kirtan participants <3″
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The journey from Arlanda to Shambala (Skinnskatteberg Station) takes around 3 hours and is quite straightforward. You can search for and purchase tickets at www.sj.se.
Please note that the full train schedule is usually available only 2–3 weeks before your intended travel date, so there’s no need to book earlier than that. There are several route options.
As there are no direct trains, you’ll need to take a combination of trains and/or buses. Once you arrive at Skinnskatteberg Station, we’ll pick you up — it’s just a 7-minute drive to Shambala.
Comfortable yoga clothing, a warm layer for the evenings, earplugs and an eye mask for the bright summer mornings, sturdy shoes for forest walks, and a journal if you enjoy writing. Yoga mats and props are provided. Swimwear for the sauna is optional. We’ll send a full packing list after booking.
Our kitchen is designed to avoid the most common allergens. That said, please let us know in advance if you have any food allergies or specific dietary needs, and we’ll take them into account when planning the menu.
For guests with multiple allergies, we offer a simple daily meal option of steamed vegetables and boiled rice.
While we aim to keep our kitchen as gluten-free as possible, trace amounts of gluten may still be present. Our meals are generally suitable for those with gluten intolerance, but we cannot guarantee the absence of cross-contamination for guests with celiac disease.
At Shambala, beyond being a retreat space, we cultivate a way of living deeply rooted in the yogic values of simplicity, presence, non-attachment, contentment, and communion with nature. Rather than luxury, what we offer is intimacy and a sense of belonging. Therefore, our accommodations are simple and mostly shared, with a variety of twin rooms, triple rooms, and glamping tents.
The guiding ethos is one of community and sustainability, creating a vibe that is understated, modest, welcoming, and easy. If you do feel a strong need for a single room, you can write to us. A single room may be available for an additional fee.
All accommodation options have access to shared showers and bathrooms.
We love children and would truly love to be able to host parents with young kids.
However, we’ve found that having young children on site can make it challenging to maintain the peaceful retreat atmosphere that many of our guests seek and deeply value.
For this reason, unless otherwise agreed, our retreats are intended for adults and youth aged 12 and above.
We love animals, but as some guests have allergies, we’re unable to allow animals inside the buildings. For this reason, we kindly discourage guests from bringing their pets.
Bed linen and towels are included with your booking. You may opt out of both for a 200 SEK discount. To do so, please apply the coupon code ‘NOLINEN’ at checkout.
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and if something unexpected comes up, we truly want to support you as best we can. At the same time, as a small business, we need to honor the sustainability of our work and are therefore unable to offer refunds close to the retreat start date. Thank you so much for your understanding.
Cancel up to 3 months before arrival and receive a full refund.
Cancel up to 14 days before arrival and receive a 70% refund.
Cancel up to 6 days before arrival and receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel 5 days or fewer before arrival, the retreat fee is non-refundable.
We warmly recommend arranging travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances.
The retreat cost does not include travel insurance. Travel insurance is recommended for all participants.
Join us May 21 – 24 for three days of yoga, kirtan, embodiment, sound and connection.
Or write to us directly: hello@shambalagatherings.com
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
join our community newsletter
Receive rare updates on upcoming retreats, invitations, seasonal recipes, and reflections from the forest.