July 28 – August 2, 2026
Join us for a transformative 6-day Advaita Vedanta & Yoga Retreat in Sweden, July 28th–August 2nd 2026. Experience daily yoga, meditation, Vedic philosophy, mantra chanting, nourishing vegan food and much more!
A RETREAT FOR YOU
Join us for a transformative six-day Advaita Vedanta & Yoga Retreat at Shambala Gatherings, a peaceful community nestled in the Swedish forest. This unique retreat weaves together the depth of Vedic philosophy, mantra chanting, and meditation with the healing power of yoga movement, breathwork and restorative practice.
Guided by Swamini Chidekarasananda Saraswati and Anji Gopal, this experience invites you to heal body, mind and spirit through timeless teachings and embodied practice. You’ll explore the essence of Advaita Vedanta — the non-dual philosophy of Oneness — and discover how to apply this knowledge in daily life for peace, clarity and self-realisation.
Whether you’re an experienced yogi or just beginning your spiritual journey, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to study authentic Vedic wisdom and rejuvenate in a serene, nature-filled environment.
Advaita Vedanta is the non-dualistic philosophy revealed by the sages of ancient India. It teaches that our true nature (Atma) is not separate from the absolute reality (Brahman).
Through study, contemplation and meditation, we come to see through delusion and free ourselves from suffering — realising the unity of all existence.
Vedanta offers a practical approach to life and purification of the mind, accessible to people of all backgrounds and faiths.
During the retreat you will experience:
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
Each day is designed to nourish body, calm mind, and awaken your senses to the beauty of the Swedish wilderness.
Profound daily teachings from Swamini Chidekarasananda Saraswati, including lectures, mantra chanting, and evening Satsang (Q&A).
Participate in Vedic Pujas and a joyful Kirtan evening of devotional music and chanting.
Accessible, healing yoga led by osteopath and teacher Anji Gopal, focusing on breath, alignment and finding comfort in the body you have today.
Enjoy three wholesome vegan meals daily, walks in the forest, sauna sessions, and refreshing lake swims at Shambala Gatherings’ award-winning retreat centre.
Gathering in presence, witnessing one another, and sharing meaningful moments.
Time each day for silence, self-inquiry and connection with the natural world.
— Previous retreat guest
YOUR DAYS
Please keep in mind that the schedule is flexible and may undergo small changes.
3.00 – 5.00pm
Arrive, settle into your space, and gather for warm tea, gentle introductions, and a grounded beginning together.
5.30 – 6.30pm
We'll explore Vedanta teachings in an intimate evening lecture, inviting contemplation and deeper understanding of self.
19:00
A nourishing, plant based meal prepared with care, shared in community, and savored mindfully.
8:15pm
Gather in open dialogue and inquiry, exploring truth through shared reflection, questions, and collective presence.
6.30 – 7.15am
Begin the day with sacred puja and traditional Vedic chants, invoking devotion, clarity, and steady spiritual grounding.
7.30 – 9am
Start the day with mindful yoga practice, awakening breath, strengthening the body, and cultivating calm focus for what follows.
9am
Enjoy a mindful morning meal in shared silence, creating space for gratitude, presence, and gentle awareness before the day unfolds.
11am – 12noon
Engage with timeless Vedanta wisdom in a focused morning class, deepening insight, clarity, and contemplative understanding.
12.30 – 1pm
Unite breath and voice through guided chanting, cultivating devotion, focus, and a shared field of uplifting resonance.
1.30pm
Enjoy a balanced midday meal prepared with care, offering nourishment, ease, and time to rest and reconnect.
5.30-6.30pm
Gather for an illuminating evening talk on Vedanta, inviting thoughtful inquiry, clarity, and deeper contemplative insight.
7pm
Come together for a nourishing evening meal, sharing conversation, reflection, and a sense of grounded community.
8.15pm
An evening of satsang, open questions, kirtan, and expressive music or dance, celebrating devotion and shared spiritual joy.
6.30 - 3pm
On August 2nd, we will have a morning programme followed by departure & check out by 3pm.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Not Included
The teaching fee is separate from the accommodation cost. Swaminiji wishes to keep this retreat as accessible as possible, so the Dakshina (teacher contribution) has been intentionally set at a modest level.
Once you’ve booked your room, we kindly ask that you pay the Dakshina through the online platform Collection Pot using the link below. Paying it this way helps support Swaminiji’s team and avoids extra administrative work.
The recommended contribution is £250 per person, payable upon booking through this system (rather than in cash).
Thank you so much for your understanding and support!
*As we wish to make these teachings as affordable as possible, Shambala and the teachers are able to make some financial concessions to support any students under genuine financial hardship. Shambala offers a range of accommodation options and we can reduce the dakshina as required too. Please contact either Lalita or Anji if you wish to receive sponsorship for your attendance.
YOUR GUIDE
Swamini Chidekarasananda Saraswati is a traditional renunciate (sannyasini) initiated into the Paramahamsa Sannyasa Ashrama by Swami Sakshatkrutananda Saraswati, Chief Acharya of Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh.
Her life is dedicated to sharing the wisdom and light of the Rishis — the seers of ancient India — with spiritual seekers around the world. Her teachings are joyful, clear, and grounded, blending chanting, philosophy and meditation.
You can explore her talks and teachings on her YouTube channel.
Advaita Vedanta
Upanishads
YOUR GUIDE
Anji Gopal, M.Ost, BSc (Hons), is a London-based osteopath, back-care expert and yoga practitioner. Her approach focuses on making yoga accessible for everyone — using gentle, practical movements to improve spinal health, balance and wellbeing.
She brings warmth, clarity and humour to her teaching, creating an inclusive space for all levels.
Website: www.backcarefoundation.com
Email: anji@backcarefoundation.com
Instagram: @theanjigopal
Yoga
Embodiment
Spinal Health
GUEST EXPERIENCES
“Swamini Chideka is a true guru who has had a profound impact on both my spiritual and daily life. Being a student of Swamini Ji, who is sharing these ancient teachings with joy and clarity, is a great privilege for me.”
“Swamini ji is a wonderful chanting teacher who inspire to feel bhakti and at the same time knowing deeply the meaning of the words while singing.”
“Anji’s yoga classes are amazing! I have found Anji’s teaching invaluable over the past couple of years.The classes are never dull – Anji has an empathetic and constructive way of making yoga accessible for everyone, reflecting her warm and vibrant personality.”
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 July 28 – August 2 for a 6-day Advaita Vedanta & Yoga Retreat in Sweden.
Experience daily yoga, meditation, Vedic philosophy, mantra chanting, nourishing vegan food, and much more!
Or write to us directly: hello@shambalagatherings.com
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