Maya Medicine is an integrated system of natural medicine and healing that has sprung from Mayan civilization for over 2,500 years. The Maya medical system centres around restoring and maintaining health between the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind and space, and balancing the relationship between the seen and the unseen worlds.
The sweat lodge is a purification ceremony; it relieves stress, cleanses toxins from the body, helps process emotions, releases negativity and revitalises the life force. It also helps to cut through obstacles obstructing one’s spiritual path. The lodge is responsible for expelling the cold and harmful winds from the body and reinstating warmth and vital energy flow.
It was originally employed to heal mother and child after childbirth and is often referred to as The Womb of the Earth, as its medicine is nurturing and maternal, drawing us closer to earth and the female principle in nature. It is an integral part of Maya medicine, used for the treatment and prevention of disease.
This retreat will offer participants three consecutive days of sweat lodges to help process deeply held traumas, restoring emotional wellbeing, clarity and purpose. Daily meditation, healing ceremonies and individual egg readings will be offered to all participants before each sweat lodge, allowing for a smooth transition between lodges.
“Roland, it’s a blessing to have you in our lives; mine and my family. You are a luminous being who shares your ancestral wisdom through the medium of healing. Thank you for helping my son Emiliano, and facilitating his marvelous transformation. Your sweat lodges are full of love and healing. Afterwards I feel light, happy and grateful, and filled with an extraordinary energy.”
“Come prepared, Roland takes no prisoners. But he will shine a light on where you are not working well with yourself.
Being a part of the lodge experience can become a healing way of life for you. It is certainly challenging but equally and deeply rewarding.
No regrets.”
“Roland has had a profound impact on my life. It’s really as simple as that. Years of unmanageable, almost daily panic attacks and acute long-term anxiety are, as a result of the work I have done with Roland the last 3 years, now infrequent and largely under control. He has managed to amass an incredible community of like minded clients around him and I am always looking forward to our sweat lodges and who will be attending. I am eternally grateful to have found Roland and I couldn’t recommend him enough for 1:1 consultations, house cleansings, sweat lodges and retreats.”
STAY
Our beautiful venue is an intimate yoga community and retreat centre in the middle of the Swedish forest. 100% of all the energy we use comes from renewable sources, and the majority of our food is organic and locally, sustainably sourced.
The project started in 2005, out of a vision to live in communion with nature and dedicated to a life of community and yoga. What once was an artist community of yogis simply living in nature, slowly, throughout the years, opened its doors to those that wished to experience this way of living in the form of retreats.
The dense forests of Bergslagen around Skinnskatteberg are a fantastic place to encounter the very best of Sweden’s wildlife. Other than enjoying its abundant nature, trees and plants, you can also find the magnificent ”king of the Swedish forest”, moose – otherwise known as elk – in its natural habitat, and the many lakes and watercourses are home to beavers too. The surrounding area has also proven to be one of the best regions in Sweden to see other wildlife such as wolves, bears, lynx and owls.
EAT
The food is delicious, abundant, and wholesome. It’s vegan, Ayurvedic-based, mainly organic and gluten-free and we will often eat out on the sunny deck overlooking the lake.
The kitchen is at the heart of everything here, using the best possible ingredients and taking care of food combinations to ensure that you are nourished and energised throughout the retreat. We are passionate about providing food that is delicious to eat, look at and feel.
“I’ve had the good fortune to experience Shambala many times as I shared Bhakti.
The moment I would arrive I felt the vibrant nature greeting me, supporting us in a sacred embrace to dive deep into our hearts.
Such a magical place.
And the staff in beautiful alignment with what the land offers.
A place for healing, reconnection, inspiration, Love.”
“I Love this place, I have returned here many times each summer for 10 years. They have a way of making everyone feel at home and welcomed. Here I can sink into a healthy, balanced and fun daily routine. And for me it’s important to have the balance between seeing all of the inspiring people here, but also having alone time and quietude, which I find in the forest, lake, sauna, tipi, in the silent mornings, in my room or in a yoga class. I feel recharged and happy when I’m here and I’m so glad these kind of retreat centres exist!”
“Amazing experience!! Beautiful nature around Shambala. Yoga there was outstanding!! Vegan Food incredible tasty!! Great and friendly community of people. If you suffer from stress, this is ideal place to be!”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
3 sweat lodges
Daily meditation
Healing ceremonies
Individual cleansings/ egg readings
Accommodation
Daily breakfast, afternoon fika and dinner
Sauna
Pick up and drop off from Skinnskatteberg train station
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Transport to and from Skinnskatteberg
Travel insurance
Massages and treatments are available at an extra cost
PRICE
£1250
If you have any questions, please send an email to info@mayamedicine.co.uk
DAILY SCHEDULE
(the schedule is organic and subject to change)
Arrival: Sept 11th 15:00
Checkout: Sept 15th 13:00
Wednesday
15:00 Arrival
15.00 – 19.00 Free time / Swim, Sauna & Explore
19:00 Welcome dinner
Thursday, Friday & Saturday
7:00 Morning meditation & healing ceremony in the forest
9:00 Silent Breakfast
11.00 Lodge prep & individual cleansings
12:00 – 17:00 Sweat Lodge ceremony
17:00 Fika
19:00 Dinner
Sunday
9:00 Breakfast
10.00 – 13.00 Free time / Swim, Sauna
13:00 Checkout
You can view our accommodation options below. Please note that bringing your own tent is also an option. For more information on our rooms and facilities, please visit our The Place page.
Twin Bedroom Shared
Triple Bedroom Shared
Your Own Tent
meet your teacher
TEACHER’S BIO
Roland Torikian
Roland Torikian has practiced as a Maya healer for 28 years in Mexico and the UK. He trained in Maya Medicine with Lauro de la Cruz in the Maya highlands of Chiapas during the Zapatista uprising of the 1990’s. On completing his apprenticeship, Roland opened a clinic in Dharamshala, North India, whilst studying Tibetan Buddhist philosophy with Geshe Sonam Rinchen. He connects the Mayan and Tibetan worlds of medicine and healing, with emphasis on the use of ceremonies, meditation and shamanic practices used in the Kagyu lineage and Bon Buddhism.
MORE at Shambala
GALLERY
How to get here
Shambala Gatherings
Borntorpet 1
Skinnskatteberg
Sweden
Located just two hours away from Stockholm in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden, the area is easily accessible by air, train and car, making a great option for a short break wildlife destination.
- Coming by air: The nearest airport to Shambala is Stockholm Vasteras. The second nearest airport is Arlanda airport, the main airport in Sweden. You can easily take a train all the way to Skinnskatteberg from both of them.
- Coming by train / bus: We are fortunate to have a train / bus station at Skinnskatteberg only 5 minutes ride from the center. We offer free pick up services from this station in summer.
- Coming by car: Simply open this Google map on your navigator and follow directions to Borntorpet 1 in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden.