This retreat brings together my life’s learnings and my hope is that this is a deep participatory co-creation in which we come together collectively and share our wisdom so that these teachings can grow and metamorphosize.
WALKING EACH OTHER HOME
This retreat will focus on practices that help us remember our innate wholeness and our inter-being with each other and the world around us.
We will integrate breathing and meditative processes, yoga, nervous system resilience practices, mindful dialogue, stress management, social field sensing, psychological well- being modalities and traditional ways to re-connect to nature.
As we turn the lens inward and practice these modalities, I have found that life moves from being led from habit, reaction and living in survival mode, to a life of wise choice, connection, purpose and attunement to life within us and all around us.
“This is where the magic happens – together, with open hearts in beautiful nature.”
“Set by a magical beautiful lake, this charming ”get away” offers heart-felt and nurturing workshops, courses and retreats by very competent teachers, and treat you with healthy food cooked with love.”
UNDERSTANDING BREATH AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
We will take to explore the importance of the breath in psychological, physical and emotional well-being, the structure and reaction tendencies of the nervous system and how the brain works. We then provide a clear map of how to train the brain and re-shape the nervous system and the breath to respond to life’s challenges in increasingly skilful and effective ways.
SELF-AWARENESS
We take this knowledge inwards into the personal realm. We start to sense and observe; our breathing habits, our nervous system reaction tendencies and our patterns of holding physical tension in the body.
We look and explore questions such as:
How does my breath change during certain activities?
What are my nervous system reaction tendencies under stress?
What do the different branches of the nervous system feel like? Do I tend to get stuck in one part?
How is my focus or adaptability under stress?
With Self Awareness the decision-making part of the brain comes online, and we can assess if these patterns are serving us. If they are not, then we can bring forth practice to help rewire and reshape those brain or nervous system tendencies to more beneficial and skilful ones.
SOMATIC INTELLIGENCE
Our most fundamental response to all of life’s challenges start in the body. We therefore practice body-based practices such as breath, movement, conscious relaxation, sounding, embodying the branches of the nervous system and the art of sensing in. These practices both allow us to manage and reshape the stress and survival response of the nervous system, help strengthen a felt sense of safety and build up the capability for the brain to stay online under adversity and stress.
When we are at home, rooted and connected to the signals of the body, life moves from reaction and avoidance to aware choice and experiencing its fulness.
CONNECTING TO NATURE
We will go out into the forest and the magical surroundings at Shambala and go through practices that help us connect to power places in nature and ways we can harness nature’s power to help our intuitive response to life.
MINDFUL DIALOGUE
This way of communicating has changed all my relationships profoundly, it has been a gift in my everyday life in the way I can listen to others empathetically, connect to my deeper feelings and needs and express them honestly whilst honouring the other person’s needs.
SENSING INTO THE SPACE
We will embody awareness practices that help us sense into the social field within a group, how to tap into the group consciousness and collective flow states.
INVESTMENT
DONATION FOR THE TEACHER FEE
- Donation: pay what you can
- Helping hand: donate 3000
For those whose current life circumstances require some support, and don’t have family, partner, or friends who they can ask for financial support. - Pay for yourself: donate 4000
This is the actual teaching cost for this 4-night retreat - Pay it forward: donate 5000 or more
Gift yourself this retreat plus generously contribute towards the course fee of someone in need of learning.
Sponsorship on your accommodation:
It is possible to get 50% off on your accommodation. We are opening up this opportunity for one person who is struggling financially and wants to come to this retreat. Send us an email at ShambalaGatherings@gmail.com and tell us more about you!
RETREAT SCHEDULE
(Subject to change)
Arrival Time: Earliest 14:30 PM
Departure Time: 3:00 PM
Please note that we are unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your stay!
Wednesday
14.30 Arrival
16.00 – 18.00 Getting to know each other – building a safe container, mindful listening.
19.00 Dinner
20.00 – 21.00 Crystal sound bowls, breathing practices and guided relaxation
Thursday
07.00 – 09.00 Yoga, pranayama and meditation
09.00 – 10.30 Breakfast
10.30 – 13.00 Sensing into the field and connecting to power places in nature,
13.00 Lunch and rest, swimming time
16.00 – 19.00 Ways of resourcing your nervous system and Mindful dialogue – What is
empathy? Practising empathetic and reflective listening
19.00 Dinner
20.00 – 21.00 Meditation and savasana
Friday
07.00 – 09.00 Yoga, pranayama and meditation
09.00 – 10.30 Breakfast
10.30 – 13.00 Sensing into the field and connecting to power places in nature,
13.00 Lunch and rest, swimming time
16.00 – 19.00 Ways of resourcing your nervous system and Mindful dialogue – What is
empathy? Practising empathetic and reflective listening
19.00 Dinner
20.00 – 21.00 Meditation and savasana
Saturday
07.00 – 09.00 Yoga, pranayama and meditation
09.00 – 10.30 Breakfast
10.30 – 13.00 Tapping into your creativity
13.00 Lunch and rest, swimming time
16.00 – 19.00 Connecting to nature / gratitude and grief
19.00 Dinner
20.00 – 21.00 Meditation
Sunday
07.00 – 09.00 Yoga, pranayama and meditation
09.00 – 10.30 Breakfast
10:30-13:00 Reflections and journalling practices
13.00 Lunch
14.00 – 15.00 Closing circle
THE FOOD
Inspired by the Indian Ayurvedic health tradition, our kitchen serves delicious and nutritious food that is vegan, gluten-free, and made primarily with organic ingredients. Meals are often enjoyed on the sunny deck overlooking the lake. We are happy to accommodate dietary allergies—please inform us when making your booking.
LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATION
Shambala is an intimate yoga community and retreat center nestled in the forests of Bergslagen, two hours from Stockholm in Skinnskatteberg, Västmanland.
Dedicated to community and yoga, Shambala’s vision is to live harmoniously with nature. Surrounded by lush forests and a tranquil lake, it invites you to enjoy peaceful walks, refreshing swims, and moments of reflection. A highlight is the floating sauna by the lake, offering a soothing experience.
Accommodations are cozy and simple, with options to share a room, enjoy a private single room (when available), or try glamping, with rooms allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
At Shambala, you’ll be welcomed wholeheartedly with open arms into a homely, family atmosphere, where daily lake swims and saunas are just a part of the healing experience that this special place offers.
You can view our accommodation options below.
For more information on our rooms and facilities, please visit our The Place page.
Shared Twin Room
Shared Triple Room
Private Glamping Tent
double bed, lake view, heating and electricity
Bring Your Own Tent
meet the team
TEACHER’S BIO
LUKE BACHE
Luke is an internationally experienced Holistic Wellness Consultant.
For the last 17 years he has dedicated his life to travel the world and study with leaders in their respective fields of health.
His initial adventures led him to work in musculoskeletal clinics in New Zealand rehabbing and mentally coaching injured athletes, living and practicing Qi Gong and Meditation with Shaolin monks in China, studying Yoga, Integrative health practices and Buddhist philosophy for two years in Thailand and spending over a month in silence meditating in a Buddhist monastery.
He then moved back to Europe and for the last 5 years has been studying with leaders in Mental health, Nervous system re-shaping and resilience building, as well as leaders on the field of trauma, breathwork, mindful dialogue and optimal performance.
‘What if a time called now is when we are remembering we are connected, whole and related?’ David Isaacs
NEED ASSISTANCE?
Hi there! I’m Lalita, and I’m here to assist you with any questions you might have.
However, before emailing me, please try using our chat box or checking our FAQs. This really helps reduce my email load and ensures I’m available when you really need me. Thank you so much for helping me helping you!
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.