JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Work as meditation. Live in community. Grow through service in the Swedish forest.
WORK AS SERVICE
Volunteers form the backbone of Shambala Gatherings. Our program is rooted in the practice of “work as meditation and service”, where every task, from cooking to cleaning to gardening, becomes an opportunity for presence and growth.
We welcome people from all walks of life, ages, and backgrounds. You’ll live in community, practice yoga, share meals, and contribute to something meaningful. Minimum age is 22 years old, and we ask that volunteers bring abundant energy and an open heart.
Note: Our full-time program is best suited for those in a stable, energised phase of life. If you’re feeling vulnerable or exhausted, we recommend our part-time option or booking as a guest instead.
WHAT YOU RECEIVE
In exchange for your service, Shambala provides everything you need for a rich, nourishing stay.
Winter at Shambala is a season of closeness: all volunteers share cosy dorm rooms (2–4 people) with the rest of the team — warm and comfortable. Many arrive as strangers and leave with friends for life. In summer, those who prefer a bed indoors stay in our dorms, while everyone else can settle into a Soulpad glamping tent — comfy bed, heating and light — in our forest tent village overlooking the lake, beside the hammocks and close to all amenities.
Food at Shambala is part of the experience. Three times a day, our kitchen team lays out a generous plant-based buffet — wholesome, colourful, and made with local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. From nourishing breakfasts to soul-warming dinners, every meal is designed to fuel your body and bring the community together around the table. A selection of herbal teas is served all day, so there's always a warm cup within reach.
A dedicated yoga teacher for our volunteer team, with regular classes to rest and restore your body as you give through service. You'll also have access to select sessions during our international retreats with visiting teachers. Your home for practice is the volunteer yurt — a cosy, spacious space overlooking the lake.
One of the great joys of Shambala: daily access to our wood-fired sauna, right beside the lake. As the day of service winds down, gather with the team to warm your body by the fire, then step out into the fresh air and slip into the lake — bracing in winter, blissful in summer. This age-old Nordic ritual of heat and cold leaves you clear, calm, and completely restored, ready to rest and rise again.
Long forest walks, talks around the bonfire, and slow evenings in our cosy cafe: the kind of conversations you don't want to end. A dedicated yoga sala for your own practice and shared community classes. Laughter, learning from each other, and plenty of creativity in the kitchen.
This is a place to come home to yourself. Through service offered with care and attention, you'll cultivate presence, deepen your self-awareness, and experience the quiet transformation that happens when you give freely. Woven into a supportive community that holds you as you grow, you'll share the kind of honest, heart-open connection that's rare in everyday life , and form friendships that endure long after the season ends.
low & HIGH SEASON 2027
Shambala offers different energies depending on the time of year. All seasons are beautiful, the right choice depends on your preference.
Prices shown are the full-time fee for the whole slot. Part-time volunteering is available on selected slots at 390 kr/day (minimum 2 weeks) — see details below ↓
AVAILABLE ROLES
Coordinators work 6 hours/day, 5 days a week.
Full-time volunteers work 5 hours/day, 5 days a week.
Part-time (Seva guest) is 2.5 hours/day, 6 days per week.
A simple, low-cost way to experience Shambala through seva (selfless service). Offer around 2.5 hours a day in support of the community, and spend the rest of your time enjoying Shambala as a guest, including a daily yoga class.
Summer & Part-time only / 2 weeks minimumLearn from the head chef in an immersive kitchen internship. Private caravan accommodation included.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlySupport the day-to-day running of the retreat center alongside the manager. A hands-on role combining coordination, and light administration.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlyCare-of-space role keeping Shambala clean, warm and beautiful Flexible, self-managed work with a good eye for detail.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlySplit role: teach authentic yoga classes to the community, and help capture the life of Shambala: behind-the-scenes moments, memories and everyday magic.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlySupport the kitchen lead with simple daily chores: prepping, cooking, and keeping the kitchen clean. A grounding, hands-on role for those who wish to find presence in everyday tasks.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlySupport the housekeeping lead in keeping Shambala clean, warm, and beautiful — tending shared spaces and adding the small touches that make it feel like home.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlyMaintenance support role caring for the property through small repairs and upkeep. Flexible, self-managed tasks. Ideal for someone practical who enjoys independence and balancing work with nature and rest.
Summer & Winter / Full-time onlyEvery role here is the same practice: presence, service, and growth. Get in toch with us, and we'll help you find your place at Shambala.
Get in touch →YOUR INVESTMENT
The daily fee is an investment in your experience. Here’s exactly what each tier includes.
Leadership roles that assist the staff team (Kitchen & Management Apprentice, Houskeeping Leader).
6 hrs/day
5 days/week
Refundable deposit required
“Please let us know if you have difficulties paying this fee, and we will do our best to support you. We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience Shambala.”
I found not only answers, but beautiful people that prove that another, more free and complete way of life is possible.
Applications for Winter & High Season 2027 are now open. Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch within a week.
Or write to us directly: team@shambalagatherings.com
BRING A LITTLE OF SHAMBALA HOME
In less than 10 minutes a day, these simple practices will help you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and bring the calm of the forest into your everyday life. Enter your email below and we’ll send the first practice straight to your inbox.
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