THE PLACE
We welcome you wholeheartedly to our place.
Shambala is an intimate yoga community and retreat centre nestled in the heart of the Swedish forest. When you come to Shambala, you will not only have access to top international yoga teachers and instructors from other spiritual disciplines, but you will also be embraced by the Shambala community, who warmly receive and serve guests with a heartwarming, homely atmosphere.
Our intentional team of volunteers come from all over the world to live, serve, and grow in community. Drawn by the joy of service and the beauty of communal life, they help create the warm, welcoming atmosphere that so many guests feel when they arrive. You’ll see their smiling faces around, in the kitchen, in the gardens, in a few yoga classes – always here supporting your retreat experience.
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, it opened its doors to those that wished to experience this way of living in the form of retreats.
We now offer retreats all year around. The experience of Shambala within the winter is of silence, stillness and introspection. During the summers, the feeling is connection and celebration.
High & Low Season
In the high season (May to Sept), Shambala turns into a community project involving over 50 people at a time between guests and residents. We generally offer parallel retreats during the summer months.
In the low season (Oct to April), Shambala takes a deep exhale and is offered as a peaceful retreat space managed by a small team of caterers with generally just one retreat at a time.
ECO
100% of all the energy we use comes from renewable sources.
We aim to have the majority of our food organic and ecological.
Our food is mainly gluten free* and is mainly vegan*.
*There can be traces of gluten in our kitchen. The community may cook eggs and eat cheese in between retreats.
Natural Surroundings
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 flaura and lush beds of moss, the magnificent ”king of the Swedish forest”, moose – otherwise known as elk – can be seen here in its natural habitat, and the many lakes and watercourses are home to the beaver.
The area has also proven to be one of the best regions in Sweden to see other wildlife such as wolves, bears, lynx and owls. Being located just two hours away from Stockholm, the area is easily accessible and makes a great option for a short break wildlife destination.
Our Facilities
Our accommodations are simple and shared, with a variety of twin rooms, triple rooms, 4-bed room, glamping tents and a few forest huts. The overriding ethos is one of community and sustainability. The vibe is understated, welcoming, and easy. Little affirmations and deities adorn the rooms, and soon enough, it feels like home.
Our facilities are intentionally modest yet lovingly cared for. You’ll find two yoga shalas, a dining room, a yurt, a cozy library, a wood-fired sauna and a small lakeside deck, all nestled in the heart of the Swedish forest.
If you wish to host your retreat with us and want to know more about our facilities and terms, please click here.
Our Food
At the heart of Shambala is our kitchen, where we prepare simple, yet vibrant vegan meals with love and intention. We use mostly organic ingredients, mindfully combined to support your energy throughout the retreat. For us, cooking is a sacred act, and an extension of our care and devotion.
We have created some Food Stories, to give you a hint of what’s to come.To see all Food Stories, please check our Youtube Channel.
OUR kitchen:
* Vegan and gluten-free
* Mostly organic ingredients
* Recipes inspired by the Indian Ayurvedic health tradition
* High quality healthy oils
* Sweets served every other day
* Home baked bread served every other day
* Right food combination to ensure optimum protein intake
* We focus on easily digestible beans and legumes
* Abundance of digestive spices
* Use of healthy fats
* No sugars or artificial sweeteners
Gallery
Scroll through the gallery below to get a feeling of life at Shambala, its nature in all seasons, our passion for yoga and community life.
For more images, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
For more images, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
We look forwards to having you with us.
