MORNING SESSIONS
Morning sessions are usually about 3 hours long. They often begin with some breathwork with sound and chanting, leading to seated meditation practice. Next are joint movements originating from your body’s core. Then I usually teach a spinal movement practice followed by some seated breathwork. The morning session usually concludes by integrating these practices into a fluid, dynamic meditative session with various types of music. These practices enhance energy and blood circulation while staying completely relaxed and supporting immune health.
AFTERNOON SESSIONS
Afternoon sessions are usually about 3 hours long. In these sessions, I use the energetic aspects of the morning practice to develop a yoga posture, movement, and breathing practice. This is along the lines of the YogaSynergy system we developed in coordination with our understanding as exercise-based physiotherapists over the last 30 years. These practices build strength, flexibility, and fitness while maintaining the energy and inner peace of the meditative state, akin to the elite athlete’s zone or flow state. Each part of the teaching is initially taught with verbal instructions and then repeated as a visually-guided meditative practice to music.
SYNERGY SCHOOL OF YOGA
Synergy Yoga is not just a method; it’s a comprehensive approach that embraces the essence of traditional yoga while seamlessly integrating it with the needs of the modern body. This harmonious fusion can be applied to all styles of yoga, offering a transformative experience for practitioners and teachers alike. Through the practice of yoga, we embark on a journey of self-discovery and awakening. It brings profound awareness to the self, nurturing the heart and soul of each individual. As we deepen our own practice, we unlock our incredible human vitality and gain the ability to guide others on their path of realization. At Yoga Synergy, we believe that practice is the key to transformation. Our methods are designed to make the practice safe, responsive, dynamic, and meditative, ensuring a joyful and lifelong journey. Developed by internationally renowned yoga educators, authors, physiotherapists, and scientists, Simon Borg-Olivier and Bianca Machliss, the Yoga Synergy method offers a scientifically-based approach to yoga that enhances flexibility, strength, fitness, internal health, and meditative flow.
THE YOGA SYNERGY METHOD WILL
– increase flexibility without painful stretching
– build strength without stressful muscle tension
– increase circulation without increasing heart rate
– bring more oxygen to your cells without breathing more than normal
– bring intelligence to your cells without needing to have to think
After more than a decade of learning directly from yoga masters such as Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and Sri T.V.K. Desikarchar in the 1980’s and 1990’s, Simon and Bianca returned to Sydney University to complete degrees in Physiotherapy (Physical Therapy) in 1993, to learn more about the human body for the benefit of their yoga practice and teaching. Their deep understanding of anatomy and physiology of yoga is applied in the Yoga Synergy Yoga teacher training method. This practical method aims to prevent and assist in recovery of, the many musculoskeletal injuries and medical conditions that occur as a result of modern yoga and exercise practice.
“Thanks again for these fantastic and literally life-changing teachings! The Yoga Synergy method is absolutely unique and unparalleled in the vast yoga world!”
“Yoga Synergy revoluntionized how I view my yoga practice. As someone who regularly encountered physical, emotional and spiritual pain during my yoga journey, I believe these experiences guided me towards facilitators who stress the importance of safety and ease.”
“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!”
“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!”
“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.”
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.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation
All meals
Yoga classes
Daily sauna
Pick up and drop off from Skinnskatteberg train station
Yoga mats and props
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Transport to and from Skinnskatteberg
Travel insurance
Massages and treatments are available at an extra cost
PRICE
Your Own Tent: 13.030 SEK | €1.150
Shared Triple Room: 14.430 SEK | €1.270
Shared Twin Room: 14.980 SEK | €1.330
Glamping Tent: 16.380 SEK | €1.450
OPEN FOR SPONSORSHIPS
This retreat is open for sponsorship applications. With the current world events, we recognise the added strain it has put on many and is taking some away from wellness. We want to enable you to get the rest you deserve, so we have opened up the opportunity to get this retreat with a discounted price. Send us an email at ShambalaGatherings@gmail.com and tell us about you, and you will be considered for one of the available spots.
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
Glamping Tent (double bed)
Lake view, heating and electricity
Your Own Tent
DAILY SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Arrival time on the 25th of June: 15:30
Departure time on the 30th of June: 15:00
6.00 -9.00 Morning session
9.00 Silent breakfast
11.30-13.30 Free Time (space for optional classes with Arianna Montanari)
13.30 Lunch
15.00-18.00 Afternoon Session
19.00 Dinner
20.00 – 21.30 Free time for sauna
meet THE TEAM
TEACHER’S BIO
Simon Borg-Olivier
I have been studying traditional forms of posture, movement, breathing and mental control for more than 50 years. Over this time I have worked as a research-based scientist, exercise-based physiotherapist and a university lecturer in several science fields. My passion for these subjects has led me to understand that the world is a very connected place. I believe that to make the world a better place people should treat each other, all life and the Earth itself in a way that acknowledges the connections between everything. I believe the best way of beginning this practise is to acknowledge and enhance the connections within yourself.
In my teaching, I show safe, accessible and effective ways of developing practices which can give you the essence of being in connection, or being in the zone or the flow state, as some athletes might say. I believe this state is equivalent to the meditative state that is meant to be part of the traditional yoga but is often lost in modern yoga.
Arianna Montanari
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.