Overview
Join us for four days and three nights of yoga, meditation, delicious food and saunas in the forests of Southern Sweden in the depths of Winter for a very special New Year's Eve retreat. This is such an important time of year to really deeply rest, hibernate and reflect - which is what these four days will give you. Go into the new year feeling clear, stronger and rested from days of yoga, writing, saunas, walks, campfires and perhaps some dips into the icy lake! Our Wild Sweden retreats have twice been named one of the 'Top Affordable European Yoga Retreats' by Conde Nast Traveller - in both 2025 and 2026. We are staying in an intimate yoga centre and retreat, tucked away in the pine forest, just two hours West of Stockholm. The venue is home to a peaceful yoga community of staff and volunteers, and the vibe is understated, welcoming, and easy with an ethos of community and sustainability. Our beautiful venue has a lake, floating sauna and beautiful views of the forest. Accommodation is simple and shared, with a variety of solo rooms, twin rooms and triple rooms. There is heating and electricity, and showers and bathrooms are shared between guests. The facilities are intentionally modest yet lovingly cared for. You’ll find light-filled yoga shalas, large decking overlooking the lake, a cosy library for those colder evenings, a glittery beautiful lake, and a floating wood-fired sauna, all nestled in the heart of the Swedish pine forest. We will be practicing yoga in the large yoga shala overlooking the lake in the morning and afternoon. There will be guided morning meditation, silent breakfasts, and optional guest workshops including everything from art to poetry to soundbaths to breathwork to aromatherapy, depending when you join us. All sessions are optional and designed to support varying levels of experience and ability. Outside of yoga, you’re free to rest, read, swim, sunbathe, walk, explore, or enjoy the lake with a paddleboard or canoe. Slow down with us for 4 days, immersing yourself in a restful, wild lifestyle in one of the most stunning landscapes that Sweden has to offer. Previous guests have said that the lake here in the Swedish forest has magical properties, and just thinking about it when they're back home helps transport them to a calm, peaceful place inside...
Highlights
Daily vinyasa, yin, yoga Nidra & meditation classes
Forest walks and icy lake dips
Relax in the floating wood-fired sauna
Accommodation in a range of twin or double rooms
Delicious plant-based, mainly organic food, afternoon snacks and fika on arrival (that's Swedish for a tea break and sweet treats!)
Take your morning coffee outside overlooking the lake, practice yoga in the light-filled yoga shalas, walk, rest, read, nap, write. Come back to yourself.
Hosts
Maya Howell
Maya is a vinyasa, yin, restorative and nidra yoga teacher and lead host at The Wild Times. She has previously hosted many of our retreats in the UK, Sweden and Morocco, and teaches regular classes across East London.
On the mat, Maya invites you to move freely, explore with curiosity, and drop the idea of getting it “right.” She offers creative flows with options for all levels of yogi - an invitation to take what the body needs in the moment. Think movement that builds warmth and gives space for trying something new while staying soft, playful, and grounding - all set to the sound of soothing Scottish tones. Expect soft knees, self-enquiry, breathwork, stillness, play, meditation, wobbles, poetry, and great playlists.
When not on retreat, Maya is half Scottish selkie, half East London girl. If not found in the sea, you can usually find her warming up in a sauna somewhere or mooching around a market or gallery, getting inspired for future dreams of her own exhibit one day.
Her past life as an events manager means she has a natural knack of making everything feel effortless so you can sit back, switch off, and melt in.
Celeste Hartley
Celeste is a UK based artist and poet, joining us again for a second time to co-host and lead a creative workshop. Her work focuses on bringing to life the small and intricate moments of life that reminds us we are all alive, connected and part of a magic we cannot define.
She swapped a busy city London life for a slow existence by the coast and you’ll normally find her by the sea doing her little blue drawings or in her studio creating.
Schedule
Example Schedule | Schedule subject to change / the weather / your mood / going with the flow. Do as much or as little as you like.
Previous
Next
Wednesday
12.30pm: Transfer pick up from Arlanda airport (optional)
2.30-4pm: Arrive, settle in, tea time
4pm: Opening circle, meditation and yoga
6pm: Walk, relax or sauna
7pm: Dinner
9pm: Yoga Nidra
Thursday
7.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
9am: Silent breakfast & reflection time
Free time: rest, walk, treatment, sauna, nap, read, write
1.30pm: Lunch
3pm: Creative workshop
5.30pm: Yin yoga
7pm: Dinner
Friday
7.30am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
9am: Silent breakfast & reflection time
11am: Creative Workshop
1.30pm: Lunch
Sauna & Free time: rest, walk, treatment, sauna, nap, read, write
5.30pm: Restorative yoga
7pm Dinner, bonfire
Saturday
8am: Vinyasa yoga, meditation
9am: Silent breakfast & reflection time
1.30pm: Lunch, closing circle
2.30pm: Departures (Transfers to Arlanda airport available)
What's included
What's Included
Accommodation in a beautiful retreat centre
All meals, snacks and hot drinks
Daily guided meditation
Daily saunas
A bonfire
A surprise workshop
Pick up and drop off from Skinnskatteberg train station
A luxury goodie bag
Return transfers to and from Arlanda airport and our beautiful venue
Seven x 1/1.5 hour yoga classes with Maya Howell
Yoga mats, blankets, props and blankets
Two reflective, creative workshops with Celeste
Optional dipping in the lake (at your own risk!)
What's Not Included
Travel insurance (please make sure you have your own travel insurance as soon as you book)
Massages and treatments are available at an extra cost depending on availability
Flights
any other transport to get to and from the retreat (we offer transfers!)
Gallery
Location: South West Sweden
Our location, just two hours West of Stockholm, is breathtakingly raw, magical and wild.
This place is a simple and stunning retreat venue, set on the most beautiful private misty lake, with a floating sauna, and an onsite library. Immerse yourself in nature, jump in the cold lake, gather around the bonfire, canoe, read, journal, nap or go for long walks in the mystical forest.
"At Shambala, besides a retreat space, we offer a way of living that is deeply rooted in yogic values of simplicity, presence, non-attachment, contentment, and communion with nature. Rather than luxury, what we offer is intimacy. A peaceful rhythm. A sense of belonging.
Accommodations are simple and shared, with a variety of twin rooms, triple rooms, and glamping tents. 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.Shambala is lovingly held together by a team of international volunteers who 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.
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.
When you come to Shambala, you are not just visiting a retreat centre, you are stepping into a living community - one that welcomes you with open arms and invites you to feel at home in yourself."
If you have never been to Sweden before we recommend spending a couple of days in Stockholm at the beginning or end, you can find some recommendations in your welcome pack upon booking.
Please see FAQs below for travel details.
Trip Tips
Do
This is going to be a slow, wild retreat, with peace, quite and space to reflect. As always on our retreats you're invited to digitally detox, and give yourself the headspace you've come for. (This doesn't mean you'll be told off if you're on your phone - it's just an invitation) ;) Settle in before starting the retreat with a snack before meditation and our opening circle. Day one is all about the Earth element - grounding and resting - so we will do yin yoga before dinner and yoga Nidra after in preparation for a good nights sleep. Day two will bring morning yoga and meditation then a delicious breakfast. Breakfast time here will be silent to allow for reflection, writing time and being fully immersed in the beautiful surroundings. There will be plenty of free time for long walks, swims or naps either side of lunch. There is a floating wood-fired sauna in the lake, and beautiful walks in the surrounding woods to enjoy. In the afternoon we'll have an optional workshop with an amazing long-time collaborator of The Wild Times, followed by yin yoga then dinner. On day three there will be morning meditation followed by breakfast and free time. Afternoons will be more yin, saunas and delicious food. On the last night we will have a bonfire outside too (with the obligatory marshmallows). End the days with saunas and cool dips in the lake to leave lighter, revitalised and a little bit wilder. Our final morning will be yoga, breakfast and free time, before lunch and our closing circle. If you can, we recommend staying a night in Stockholm before or after the retreat - it's a beautiful city. The yoga classes are themed around the natural elements to help connect to nature by embodying the qualities of the elements throughout the practice. All activities are optional but encouraged, so you can nap, read or swim and explore - it’s completely up to you. The Wild Times is always a guilt-free, judgement free zone!
Stay
Our beautiful venue is an intimate yoga community and retreat centre in the middle of the Swedish forest. (I have been looking for a wonderfully wild place to offer retreats in Sweden and I have found it! - Jen) 100% of all the energy they use comes from renewable sources, and the majority of their food is organic and locally, sustainably sourced. It consists of seven buildings in nature, within which you can find two yoga shalas, ten twin bedrooms, four triple bedrooms, one four-bed dormitory, three separate huts, a floating sauna and a lake. 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. During the summer months 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 nature, trees and plants, you can also find the magnificent ”king of the Swedish forest”, moose – otherwise known as elk – in its natural habitat, and the many lakes and watercourses are home to beavers too. The surrounding area has also proven to be one of the best regions in Sweden to see other wildlife such as wolves, bears, lynx and owls. Rooms will be allocated on a first-come first-serve basis across the venue. There are triple rooms (single + a bunk bed), twin rooms, solo occupancy rooms (with two twin beds in). There are shared shower rooms and toilets within the main accommodation cabin. Shambala is lovingly held together by a team of international volunteers who 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.
Eat
The food is delicious, abundant, and wholesome. It's vegetarian and vegan, Ayurvedic-based, mainly organic and gluten-free and we will often eat out on the sunny deck overlooking the lake. The kitchen is at the heart of everything here, using the best possible ingredients and taking care of food combinations to ensure that you are nourished and energised throughout the retreat. They are passionate about providing food that is delicious to eat, look at and feel. All meals, snacks, hot drinks are provided. There will be a hot drink station for you to help yourself to throughout, with herbal teas and coffee. Please note this is an alcohol free retreat. We can cater for dietary requirements if you let us know in your booking form beforehand.
Reviews
FAQs
Why choose us?
The Wild Times specialise in creating retreats that focus on rest, adventure and connection and we cater to a range of ages and abilities. We really endevour to create a relaxed non-intimidating environment where people can feel free to deeply rest, try new things and get out of their comfort zones–all we ask is that you come with an open mind! We include a range of activities, workshops and adventures within the retreat.
Who is it for?
The Wild Times retreats are for anyone who wants to re-wild and relax. We welcome everyone of any ability - just come with an open heart and mind. To get the most out of our yoga retreats, we recommend taking part in at least 3/4 yoga classes before joining.
You can always email us with any queries beforehand: hello@thewildtimes.co
What happens after you book the retreat?
You will be sent an email with an online booking form to fill-out as soon as you book your retreat. Then around 8-12 weeks before your retreat, we will send you a welcome pack which includes details on what to bring, the retreat location, what we will be doing and anything else you will need to know.
Where is it?
Coming by air: The nearest airport is Stockholm Vasteras. The second nearest airport is Arlanda airport, the main airport in Sweden. You can easily take a train all the way to Skinnskatteberg from both of them.
Coming by train / bus: There is a train / bus station at Skinnskatteberg, only 5 minutes ride from the centre. The venue offers free pick up services from this station in summer. For train and bus times, visit www.sj.se.
Coming by car: Simply open this Google map on your navigator and follow directions to Borntorpet 1 in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden.
Do I need equipment?
Please bring your swimming gear if you'd like to swim, and a microfibre towel to use as your swimming towel. We also recommend warm layers and slip on shoes to wear between the various cabins. You will need warm layers, appropriate footwear for the snow and a proper coat for the Swedish Winter - we will be emailing you a packing list of what to bring once you have booked.
For the yoga: Yoga mats, bolsters, blankets and blocks are provided. Please a large scarf and warm socks for the yin yoga and yoga Nidra classes.
What is the group size?
Our retreats are different sizes depending on the location. The size of the group for the Sweden retreat is a maximum of 25 guests.
What will the meals be and is it all included?
All meals are vegetarian. We can cater to most dietary needs if they have been indicated in the booking form at least 2 weeks prior to the retreat start date. All meals + fruits, snacks, tea and coffee are included in the retreat price.
What time should I arrive and depart for the retreat?
Arrival should be around 2 pm and depart around 2 pm on the final day.
What is the cancellation policy?
Refer to our terms and conditions for the cancellation policy
I have more questions...
Refer to our general FAQs if you have any more questions or drop us an email at hello@thewildtimes.co and we will get back to you!