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20 – 23 August, 2026

Yogic Practices in Modern Day Life – The Elements with Hanna Backman

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Welcome to a yoga retreat that might transform the way you see the world, yourself and your relationships, through the perspectives of the five elements.

Nights
3
Meditation
3
GUIDED SESSIONS
3

A RETREAT FOR YOU

Step into the Sanctuary

In this retreat you get to experience the five elements, the most fundamental building bricks of which everything is made of – including ourselves.

Discover how earth, water, fire, air and ether show up in nature, your behaviors, in your body and in life.

The elements plays in integral part of yoga and is the foundation for Asanas, Mudras, the Chakra system, Pranayama and Ayurveda. But often, we learn these disciplines separately, without looking at the elements that form the fundament for these teachings and techniques.

This weekend we will honor and explore the elements. What element are you comfortable with? Or less comfortable with? Learn if you’ve developed different relationships to the other qualities. What happens when different elements meet? And how can you shift a pattern you might have with someone close to you, just by applying what you know about the elements? How can you guide someone who is lacking motivation or is agitated? This workshop sheds light on the world, your patterns, offers insights and laughter. Through embodiment we learn so much more than we do when we only read.

This is a weekend for you who want to come away into nature, rest, move, have fun, gain aha-moments, discover new insights and bring completely new qualities into your sun salutation. Come with an open mind and lets explore together!

Yogic Practices in Modern Day Life – The Elements with Hanna Backman
shambala drone lake forest

Sponsorship

We know that not everyone can afford the full retreat price, and we want to make this experience accessible. For this reason, we’re offering one reduced-rate spot for someone who feels called to join but would otherwise be unable to.

If this speaks to you, please email us at shambalagatherings@gmail.com
with a little bit about yourself, and you’ll be considered for this spot. 

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.

Yoga

Morning vinyasa flows and evening restorative sessions tailored to all levels. Move at your own pace, always.

Wood-Fired Sauna

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

Nourishment

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

Nature

Exploring the surrounding forest paths and taking refreshing dips in the lake, allowing the pristine beauty of nature to enliven and inspire you.

Community

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

Deep Rest

Choosing to rest & pause consciously - take that nap in the hammock, journal in the afternoon sun & meditate in the forest

"In the silence of the forest, I finally heard what my body had been trying to tell me for years. This retreat gave me permission to rest — truly rest — for the first time in my adult life."

— Previous retreat guest

YOUR DAYS

A Gentle Rhythm

This sample schedule is subject to change. All classes and workshops are optional to attend, you can curate the retreat to your own specific needs, e.g. if you’d like some extra alone time.

Please note that we are unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to your stay!

THURSDAY

Check-in

15.30

Check In

Arrive, receive your space, and let the outside world soften at the edges. A simple pause before the journey begins.

Welcome Gathering & class

16.30 – 17.00

Welcome Gathering & Class

An opening meet and greet followed by our first shared practice. We connect, set the tone, and step gently into the retreat rhythm together.

Delicious vegan evening meal

19.00

Delicious Vegan Evening Meal

A vibrant, plant based feast prepared with care. Fresh flavors, shared plates, and a warm gathering to nourish body and spirit.

Evening sharing

20.00–20.30

Evening Sharing

A gentle space to speak and be heard. Reflections, insights, and stories offered in trust as the day settles into night.

Swimming, sauna

Swimming & Sauna

Cool immersion and cleansing heat in easy rhythm. Water to awaken, steam to soften, and space to fully unwind.

FRIDAY

Morning Meditation & Elemental Puja

07.30-08.45

Morning meditation + Puja to honor the elements

Begin in quiet stillness, then honor earth, water, fire, air, and space through simple ritual. A reverent opening to align with nature’s living forces.

Silent Breakfast Buffet & Writing

09.00

Breakfast buffet in silence + writing

A nourishing spread enjoyed in quiet presence, followed by reflective writing. Simple flavors and gentle words to begin the day from within.

Satsang + Physical practice

10.30-13.00

Satsang & Physical Practice

Insightful teachings and shared inquiry flowing into embodied movement. Wisdom meets practice as understanding settles into the body.

Vegan lunch buffet

13.30

Vegan Lunch Buffet

A colorful, abundant spread of plant based dishes. Fresh, nourishing flavors shared in relaxed midday company.

Sharing

15.00-15.30

Sharing

An open space for honest reflection and attentive listening. Words offered gently, received with presence.

Delicious vegan evening meal

19.00

Delicious Vegan Evening Meal

A wholesome midday meal to refuel and reconnect. Fresh flavors, easy company, and a nourishing pause before the afternoon unfolds.

Swimming, Sauna

Swimming & Sauna

Cool immersion and cleansing heat in easy rhythm. Water to awaken, steam to soften, and space to fully unwind.

SATURDAY

Morning Meditation & Elemental Puja

07.30-08.45

Morning meditation + Puja to honor the elements

Begin in quiet stillness, then honor earth, water, fire, air, and space through simple ritual. A reverent opening to align with nature’s living forces.

Breakfast buffet in silence

09.00

Silent Breakfast Buffet

A generous morning spread enjoyed in shared quiet. Savor each bite slowly and let the day awaken without words.

Dynamic Yoga Asana Class

10.30

Dynamic Yoga Asana Class

An energizing, breath driven practice that builds heat and focus. Strong sequences, fluid transitions, and a steady pulse of vitality.

Succulent vegan lunch buffet

13.30

Succulent Vegan Lunch Buffet

A vibrant, flavor rich spread of plant based delights. Fresh ingredients, generous dishes, and a midday feast to savor slowly.

Sharing

15.00-15.30

Sharing Circle

A held space for honest reflection and attentive listening. Voices weave together as stories, insights, and gratitude are gently offered and received.

Satsang Talk and physical exploration

16.00

Satsang Talk & Physical Exploration

A thoughtful teaching to spark insight, followed by embodied practice to integrate it. Wisdom moves from words into lived experience.

Delicious vegan evening meal

19.00

Delicious Vegan Evening Meal

A lovingly prepared plant based dinner to nourish and restore. Shared flavors and relaxed conversation as the evening gently unfolds.

5 Elements Free Movement Workshop

20.00

5 Elements Free movement workshop

An embodied exploration of earth, water, fire, air, and space through intuitive movement. Let each element guide your rhythm, expression, and inner alchemy.

SUNDAY

Morning meditation

07.30-08.45

Morning Meditation

A quiet dawn practice to steady the breath and clear the mind. Stillness opens the day with calm awareness and gentle focus.

Breakfast buffet in silence + writing

09.00

Silent Breakfast Buffet & Writing

A nourishing spread enjoyed in quiet presence, followed by reflective writing. Simple flavors and gentle words to begin the day from within.

Satsang + Physical practice

10.00

Satsang & Physical Practice

Teachings and shared reflection flowing into embodied movement. Insight becomes lived experience as wisdom finds its rhythm in the body.

Succulent vegan lunch buffet

13.30

Succulent Vegan Lunch Buffet

An abundant plant based feast bursting with color and flavor. A generous midday spread to savor, share, and refuel.

Final class & sharing

14.15-16.00

Final Class & Sharing

A closing practice to integrate the journey, followed by heartfelt reflections. Movement, insight, and gratitude woven into a meaningful farewell.

Check out

16.00

Check Out

Gather your belongings, take a final breath of the space, and step forward gently. The retreat may end, but its rhythm can travel with you.

ALL-INCLUSIVE

What's Included

  • Forest walks & wild swimming in the lake
  • Time to relax in the floating wood-fired sauna
  • Delicious plant-based, gluten free & ayurveda inspired food
  • Time to come home to yourself, rest, read, nap and just be

Not Included

  • Travel to/from Shambala
  • Massage treatments
  • Personal travel and health insurance
per person · all-inclusive · shared twin room (other room tiers available)
6950 kr
See Rooms and Prices

YOUR GUIDE

Hanna

Hanna has been practicing yoga since the ’90s and is the owner of Little Peace Yoga, awarded Swedens best yoga studio. She is an E-RYT with over 1.000 hours at Yoga Alliance and has many different Teacher Trainings and workshops. She is appreciated for her ability to make the yogic philosophy accessible to people today.

She moves freely between dynamic asana practices to Satsang, yin, meditation and chanting depending on what serves the purpose. She is teaching at Little Peace Yoga, is an appreciated guest teacher at several yoga conferences and teacher trainings and is hosting at the podcast” Little Peace Talk”.

www.littlepeace.se

Yoga

E-RYT

Satsang

Yin

Meditation

Chanting

Yogic Practices in Modern Day Life – The Elements with Hanna Backman
shambala drone lake forest

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.

GUEST EXPERIENCES

Words from Past Retreats


“Super fun and important topic, and the one that has stayed with me the most in my revery day life. I draw on what I learned when resolving conflicts with my children, with my husband, and I remind myself to break my own patterns. I even use it in work situations to reach solutions where there used to be only stagnation.”

E
Eva
Retreat at Shambala


“I like Hanna very much as a yoga teacher, her voice and whole being was pure and truth and love for me. The theory in combination with asanas, personal writing, chanting, pranayama and meditation really makes the practice holistic. I liked very much the connection to daily life… this is so useful!!””

L
Lisa
Google Review, 2024


“I feel like I woke up, for real, to what the world is made up of. This retreat has given me great insights, good laughs, but also a new humbleness. Hanna is a very attentive and safe space holder who shares truth from the core, and does it with a voice that is wonderful to listen to.”

C
Christopher
Retreat at Shambala

The Forest Awaits

6,950 kr · full payment

Join us 20 – 23 August, 2026 on a yoga retreat that might transform the way you see the world, yourself and your relationships, through the perspectives of the five elements

Reserve Your Place
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