“Humans are wild animals, we belong in nature. I have come to realize that my true home is by a campfire in the forest under the stars.”
Are you planning for a retreat at Shambala gatherings?
We have created this activity specifically as an add-on for retreats and courses that are to be held at Shambala Gatherings during the Summer season.
Shambala provides an ideal environment for practicing yoga and relaxing, with easy access the beautiful surrounding nature. But after having spent a lot of time at Shambala we have realized that most students visiting Shambala are just visiting the forest briefly, we feel they are missing out.
Therefore we would like to facilitate the deepening of their stay at Shambala, by enabling a safe and comfortable experience in the forest so that all students have a fair chance to truly reconnect with nature.
Just because humans can adapt to any environment and demand - such as a stressful life in the city - it does not mean that it is sustainable and healthy to do so. Instead of numbing yourself to be able to cope with the harshness of mainstream everyday life, allow yourself to be fresh, awake, alert, wild and free.
It is all about human rewilding
Our idea behind our excursions is…
to provide an easily accessible entrance to the Forest. The trees , the animals, the ground, the water, the air, they all might seem unfamiliar to those living in cities.
to make the elements of nature our own again.
to let go of the armor we put on to cope with life in the city.
to feel what it is to be ourselves in the purest way, without all the conditioning, the habitual living and the distractions.
The plan
During this excursion we will take you for a walk and dinner out in the forest. It will be an evening spent in Nature, feeling her welcoming you in its realm. We will move slowly and mindfully, with all our senses open to experiencing the vibrant life of the forest, and its subtle silence.
You will soon begin to notice and recognize the abundance of life in the forest. Take a deep breath and let the smell of Pine resin and Wild rosemary fill your lungs. Stop and listen and you might hear the sound of Aspen leaves shivering in the wind, the subtle song of a Willow warbler or the cute calls of a Red Squirrel running up a tree trunk.
The forest is an exciting world of trees, plants, fungi and wildlife. Together we will search for tracks and signs of moose, pine marten, wolf and other inhabitants of the taiga ecosystem.
The forest also provides tasty food. Depending on season we may be able to forage for wild raspberries, bilberries, cranberries or chanterelles, all which can be part of our dinner later on during the evening.
After about an hour’s walk we will arrive at a secluded lake where we will settle down and light a campfire. Around the fire we will eat, relax, meditate, and learn some activities that will help us reconnect with our true selves.
Imagine lying on the soft moss, being welcome back in to the earth’s embrace, or relaxing in a hammock, weightless, looking up at the waving tree tops and the blue sky above.
There will be a chance for wild swimming in the lake, and then we warm up by the fire. This is also a perfect opportunity for meditation and journaling, sitting against an ancient tree trunk, and channeling its wisdom.
During this evening your body will be exposed to the natural elements… air, earth, fire and water.
We will end the evening with a silent walk through the forest, and return to base where you will sleep tight like a bear after all your impressions.
Rate
800 SEK per person. One teacher comes free of charge. To be paid by invoice.
What's included?
Guides
Vegan outdoor evening meal, healthy drinks and snacks
Rain ponchos and hammocks
All taxes
Starting times
We meet up outside Shambala at 16h and we are back at 21h.
What to bring
Summers in Sweden are short and it often gets surprisingly chilly at night. We will hike through the forest but also sit still for meditation and by the fireplace. Temperatures can be between 12-25°C. The undergrowth is often damp so waterproof shoes or boots are essential to avoid wet and cold feet.
Note that we never cancel an excursion due to rain or wind, so please bring appropriate clothing.
We recommend all participants to bring the following equipment:
Clothing that covers your arms and legs against mosquitos (if there are any at all)
Rain proof clothing (we provide rain ponchos from Fjällräven that covers from head to knees)
Hiking boots, rubber boots or waterproof hiking shoes
Thin jacket for cold nights
Warm hat for cold nights
Water bottle
About your guides
Christiana Diamesi
Christiana loves teaching yoga, and cooking delicious and vibrant vegan food. Her heart is at home inside the forest, or by the sea, close to water and fire, under the stars.
Having grown up in urban Athens, she came to Sweden with her dog Aretha and they both rediscovered the untamed version of themselves in the forest. Since then it’s been impossible to forget that truth.
Relation to Shambala: Christiana was working as a chef in Shambala’s kitchen during the Summer season of 2019. She visited Shambala for the first time in 2018.
Marcus Eldh
Marcus spends a lot of time out in Sweden’s forests. He likes to go for hikes among trees, swim in cold lakes and to sleep in tents. His favorite season is Winter when he can walk on skis, heat up in saunas and cool down in frozen lakes.
He has worked full time as a nature guide since he founded WildSweden in 2003.
Relation to Shambala: Marcus used to live at Shambala for the first three seasons back when it all started, together with Johan and a bunch of other visionaries. Since then he has visited many times, often for the floating sauna.
