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18 – 21 JUNE, 2026

Midsummer Retreat: Liberate your Voice, Awaken your Inner Music

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Awaken your voice through yoga, mantra, movement, and creative expression as we celebrate Swedish Midsummer together. Explore sound, connection, and inner music in a soulful, liberating retrear. 

Nights
3
Yoga classes
4
chanting sessions
6

A RETREAT FOR YOU

The Essence

“Life entered the human body by the help of music, but the truth is life itself is music.” – Hafiz

In this three-day retreat, you will be part of the beautiful Midsummer celebrations of fertility and love.

We will explore the depths of the power of our voice to awaken the Music of Life, while being held by the vibrant, life-giving energy of the summer solstice.

Each one of us is an instrument in the universal orchestra of life. As we tap into our sacred voice and begin to sing the melody we were born to sing, we attract our own natural ensemble—just as nature itself blossoms into full expression during this sacred time of year.

Themes of the Weekend

• Inspire an exploration into a deeper relationship between vibration and words.

• Hear the voice of the divine speak to your soul, unlocking the key note of your life and expressing its melody.

• Explore your relationships as vibrational melodies, and experience how your melody impacts others.

• Unleash “stuck chords” within and liberate your voice.

• Tap into creative inspiration as you awaken the music within—supported by the expansive, fertile energy of Midsummer.

• Together, we will discover the sonic wisdom of the Deities and the Poet Saints of India.

What will happen?

Together we will:

• Ground through nurturing yoga asana practice.

• Chant beautiful mantras and blissful kirtan.

• Move freely to open our vocal instrument.

• Explore the poetry of the poet saints.

• Improvise in pairs and groups through sound and movement.

• Have the opportunity to have our voices reverently witnessed and heard by the group.

• Access the ability to master our true note as others express theirs.

• Find our place in the universal orchestra and the harmonious point with others.

• Experience the joy of re-sounding together over three days.

• Celebrate Midsummer together through Shambala’s unique ceremonial gathering, honouring nature, community, and the fullness of life.

 

RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS

What Awaits You

Each day is designed to nourish body, calm mind, and awaken your senses to the beauty of the Swedish wilderness.

Sacred Sound & Kirtan

Experience the joy of chanting mantras and kirtan, opening the heart through shared sound, devotion, and uplifting collective energy—amplified by the aliveness and joy of the Midsummer celebration.

Yoga

A vibrant, feminine, ritual-based yoga blending mantra, movement, and devotion to awaken connection, creativity, and embodied spiritual expression through community.

Embodied Creative Expression

Explore voice through movement, improvisation, and playful exercises, expanding your creative range and deepening your connection to embodied self-expression.

Wood-Fired Sauna

Traditional Swedish sauna sessions overlooking the lake. Release tension, cleanse deeply, and let the heat do its ancient healing work.

Community

Gathering in presence, witnessing one another, and sharing meaningful moments.

Nourishment

Wholesome, mostly organic plant-based meals, sourced locally whenever possible, to ground your body and restore your vitality.

"As someone who is “not musical,” this was outside my comfort zone, but Nikki makes it so accessible, focusing on working through our being. It was wonderful to enjoy an intimate weekend sitting in circle, and I am grateful for the confidence and abilities it unlocked to take my Kirtan practice forward."

— Claire Lewis | Previous retreat participant

YOUR DAYS

A Gentle Rhythm

Our days will unfold in a gentle and nourishing rhythm, balancing practice, creative expression, rest, and time in nature.

Each day offers a unique program while maintaining this supportive rhythm, creating space for deep practice, connection, and joyful celebration.

Check-in is at 15:00 on the 18th, and check-out is at 15:00 on the 21st.

Thursday

Check-in

3pm

Arrival

Arrive, settle into your space, or gather for warm tea, gentle introductions, and a grounded beginning together.

Sauna

3:30pm - 7pm

Time for landing and relaxing

An optional invitation to enjoy our wood-fired sauna, floating on the lake — a beautiful way to arrive in intimate connection with nature and the elements.

Dinner

7pm

Firts meal together

A nourishing, plant based meal prepared with care, shared in community, and savored mindfully.

Friday

Breakfast

9am

Silent Breakfast

A relaxed, nourishing and easy-to-digest meal enjoyed slowly in shared silence.

Morning program

10am - 1pm

Opening introductions

Kirtan, Yoga Asana with Lisa, creative session opening voice /movement, exploring our key – note and soul melody, journeys in pairs and in group.

Lunch

1:30pm

Midsummer buffet

A joyful buffet inspired by Nordic midsummer traditions. Seasonal flavors, vibrant colors, and shared plates that turn the table into a celebration.

Celebration

3 - 5:30pm

Solstice celebration

A ceremony to honor the time of year when the sun reaches its fullest expression and its light penetrates the earth most deeply. Rooted in Nordic tradition, this is a joyful and deep moment to come together in nature with music, movement, and shared celebration.

Dinner

7pm

Nourishing Community Dinner

Gather for a delicious, wholesome evening meal shared in a peaceful and heart-centered atmosphere.

Celebration

8:30pm

Evening Solstice Kirtan

A devotional, call-and-response chanting practice using mantras to open the heart and connect through shared sound.

Saturday

Breakfast

9am

First nourishment

A relaxed, nourishing and easy-to-digest meal enjoyed slowly in shared silence.

We gather

10am -1:30pm

Morning program

Morning chant, yoga asana, creative session on relationships as music, creative session exploring the sound of the Deities as textures of the One Divine principle.

Lunch

1:30pm

Midday meal and rest time

Enjoy a balanced midday meal prepared with care, offering nourishment, ease, and time to rest.

We gather

4pm

Afternoon program

Exploring the poetry of the poet saint and the music they awaken within us. Working in pairs and groups liberating the voice fo the creative soul. Yin Yoga.

Dinner

7pm

Nourishing Community Dinner

Gather for a delicious, wholesome evening meal shared in a peaceful and heart-centered atmosphere.

Sunday

Closing Day

9am - 3pm

Last program and departure

On June 21st, we will have a morning program followed by check out and departure by 3pm. The morning program includes: Kirtan, Asana practice, Creative session brigning all the learnings together, witnessing and hearing each express the beauty of our naked voice and Finale Kirtan.

ALL-INCLUSIVE

What's Included

  • 3 nights accommodation (shared or private options available)
  • 4 yoga classes
  • Voice & sound practices: kirtan, chanting / mantra sessions, voice opening & vocal expression practices, improvisation through sound and movement
  • Creative & experiential workshops
  • Group & relational spaces
  • Midsummer solstice celebration
  • Daily wood fired sauna by the Shambala Lake
  • All meals: organic, plant-based, locally sourced
  • Fresh herbal teas all day
  • Use of kayaks, paddleboards & forest trails
  • Free parking on-site
  • Pick-up and drop-off service from the local train station (Skinnskatteberg)
  • Bed linens and bath towels
  • Wi-Fi available in designated areas

Not Included

  • Travel to/from Shambala
  • Massage treatments
  • Personal travel and health insurance
per person · shared triple room (other room tiers available)
7100 kr
See Rooms and Prices

YOUR GUIDE

Nikki Slade

Nikki Slade has been sharing the power of chanting, voice, and sound for over 30 years, and has inspired so many to find and express their voice.

Her work has taken her into all kinds of spaces—from yoga studios to corporate settings like M&C Saatchi, Deutsche Bank, and Cisco, as well as more intimate and transformative environments such as Wandsworth prison and the Priory Hospital in North London, where she supported people in addiction recovery for many years.

She was the resident kirtan leader at triyoga London for over two decades, and continues to bring her unique, heartfelt approach into a wide range of workshops and one-to-one sessions.

Nikki has worked with people from all walks of life—business leaders, therapists, teachers, artists—supporting them to connect more deeply with themselves through sound and voice.

Her work has also reached global communities, with workshops and events in places like California, New York, Singapore, Mexico, and across Europe and Australia. She has brought kirtan into more mainstream spaces too, including festivals like Glastonbury and Latitude.

Nikki is the author of The Healing Power of Chanting and has released several mantra and chanting albums. She also created the UK’s first accredited training for kirtan leaders, continuing to support others in sharing this work with authenticity and confidence.

nikkislade.com

Chanting

Voice

Kirtan

YOUR GUIDE

Lisa Daopraky

Lisa is a mantra artist, mandala yoga teacher, and founder of EMERGE, a sisterhood devoted to modern feminine ritual. Born into the Buddhist tradition, she has spent the last decade immersed in yogic, tantric, and bhakti paths of devotion.

Her spaces are vibrant with colour, laughter, movement, sacred song, and togetherness — blending ancient wisdom with contemporary ritual. Through coaching, women’s circles, retreats, and immersive mantra experiences, she guides others into simple yet powerful practices that ground, restore beauty, and deepen connection.

emergent-woman.com

Mandala Yoga

Mantra

Bhakti

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Words from Past Retreats


“From my first meeting with Nikki I felt a strong connection to her, I felt welcomed and enjoyed the structure of her teaching, which was full of compassion, patience and wisdom. I felt safe and comfortable and enjoyed the group work, including movement, chanting and sharing.

The weekend was a deep dive into Mantra and the structure of the 6 pillars was easy to understand. All the participants enjoyed the learning and teachings, the space felt safe for people to express and share, as Nikki’s teaching is inviting, and delivered with kindness and enthusiasm.

I would highly recommend Nikki’s work and teaching. She is an inspiration, her teaching has enabled me to share Kirtan with others with confidence, enabling me to find my voice. The echoes of the practices support me in expressing myself with greater authenticity.”

L
Lisa Carr
Previous Retreat Participant


“I first discovered Nikki’s work nearly 20 years ago and have been lucky to have received 1-1 coaching with her, which transformed how I use my voice and show up in the world. I’ve also attended kirtan circles that Nikki has led and experienced the sublime bliss in these spaces.

As someone who is “not musical,” this was outside my comfort zone, but Nikki makes it so accessible, focusing on working through our being. It was wonderful to enjoy an intimate weekend sitting in circle, and I am grateful for the confidence and abilities it unlocked to take my Kirtan practice and leadership forward.

Totally loved the weekend. It was such a good feeling being part of that community, being able to express in our own individual ways. I feel this is so much needed in the wider community—people have been unable to express themselves fully all their lives, so what a great way to heal from that.

I loved the challenging exercises Nikki set us and the joyful way she delivered them. I felt energised rather than tired, and that energy rippled into the days after.

I highly recommend Nikki’s course.”

C
Claire Lewis
Long-time student of Nikki’s work


“The weekend from start to finish was absolutely amazing. I was a little apprehensive at first being exposed sharing my voice with others, but that feeling dissipated quickly because all the activities Nikki led us in were really safe and nurturing, if but challenging at times.

A lot of the elements in the workshop helped me to deal with the critical voices in my head about my voice. I went from a space of apprehension at the beginning to confidently leading a kirtan at the end, which was fabulous. I was really proud that I did that!

The weekend has given me the confidence to lead and grounded me in the principles of leading. I would do it all again and highly recommend this training.”

D
David Carter
Previous Retreat Participant

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Retreat Pricing & Terms

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.

The Forest Awaits

7,100 kr · all-inclusive · triple room

Join us 18 – 21 June, and spend your Midsummer immersed in music, nature, and connection – where your voice becomes part of a larger celebration of life!

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