About The Retreat

Dates: May 22-26, 2024

Are you ready to embark on the next phase of your soul’s journey? Join Julia Carmen and The School Without Walls for a powerful, intimate retreat at the beautiful Dancing Spirit Ranch in northwestern Montana.

Each year, Julia and a small group of guests gather at this luxurious boutique retreat center to explore The Indigenous Soul and the art and practice of Walking in Both Worlds.

By engaging with both the physical and non-physical, you will gain knowledge and wisdom, soothe and support your soul, and build confidence in your knowing within, your internal power, and your soul’s true journey.

The School Without Walls offers retreat experiences that are always unique and limited to small groups to ensure the most powerful experience and connection for all who attend. The teachings and workshops presented during the retreat draw from Julia’s lifelong work.

Guests will work with wisdom from the Dragonfly Messengers, spirit guides who support self-knowledge and abundance, as well as Julia’s framework for examining the Four Vibrations and Archetypes, and applying these lessons to their own lives and experiences.

Retreat guests can expect to walk away nourished by the food and land of the retreat center, grounded by the teachings, and full of meaningful connections, restored energy, and new buoyancy of the soul.

The 2024 retreat will be especially focused on laying the foundation of the Dragon Within. (2024 is the year of the Dragon!)

Retreat schedule

7:00 – 8:00 am Morning Chi Chi Soul Time (Chi Chi Time is like self care, but for your soul. We all need to nurture ourselves and this time is designed for you to take what you need, whether that’s rest, a solo yoga session, a massage, conversation with other guests, a walk on the beautiful grounds of the ranch – it’s your time!)
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast together
​9:30 am – 12:15 pm: First retreat session & workshop
12:30 -1:30 pm: Lunch together
2:00 – 4:00 pm: Second retreat session & workshop
4:00 – 6:00 pm: Chi Chi Soul Time
6:00 – 7:30 pm: Dinner Together

*Some days may include an evening program, like music or dancing

Teacher

Julia Carmen is a woman of Mexican descent, of Indigenous Ancestry. She is a mother of 5 grown children and a grandmother of 27 and a great grandmother of 10. In this time of my life, my grandchildren are my Loving salve of my life as they bring into my life much meaning and this is why I do my work and word.

She comes from a long line of Curanderas-The Seer of the Alma- walking in both worlds of the physical and non-physical, being in the knowing of them both from birth, walking them both in all eternally, and at times in struggle in the human realm of being.

That is how The School Without Walls came to Be. As we all walk this earth life, we human and alma beings walk both worlds whether we are conscious or not of that fact.

So, why not awaken to All of it – both worlds. As these both worlds do not have boundaries… hence.. the creation of The School Without Walls. Juliana Guerrero is Julia’s apprentice and granddaughter, and assistant at this retreat.

Cuisine

Beginning in the summer of 2021, Dancing Spirit Ranch officially became farm to table with their very own, craftily created, organic garden.

They have worked long and hard to build an organic, sustainable garden to feed guests, and their chefs are constantly working to create menus inspired by the daily offerings, always highlighting seasonal flavors.

The food is prepared with care and attention, from the very beginning as a seed in our soil to being served on your plate. Our team ensures that breakfast, lunch, and dinner will take you on a flavorful journey around the world.

And of course, not a day goes by without a sweet treat to end your day at the ranch(of course made without refined sugars and fats). All dietary restrictions are observed to ensure that every guest is catered to.

While many meals will be plant-based, healthy proteins will be incorporated into the menu. This is an alcohol and drug-free retreat.

Retreat Venue

Dancing Spirit Ranch is a family owned boutique retreat center. Located in the incredible beauty of Northwest Montana, the ranch is home to a nature sanctuary and a small compound of buildings that offer guests a wide variety of activities and gathering areas.

With more than 150 acres of Montana’s legendary wonderland to explore, the grounds have over 5 miles of walking trails, ponds to kayak on, and gardens to explore.

Many of these outdoor spaces will be folded into the retreat programs and schedule, such as beautifully crafted standing stone sites that draw inspiration from around the world.

Our retreat guests will gather in the 100-year-old restored Barn for meals in the large dining room and leisure time in the library and cozy fireside sitting area.

Retreat programming will be held in the Schoolhouse. The rustic seven-bedroom Bunkhouse, where retreat guests will stay, has an Old West feel. Each bedroom has a large window-wall faced with weathered barnwood and hand-plastered walls elsewhere. The rooms are outfitted with a queen or twin beds, and covered with organic cotton sheets and thick Pendleton blankets.

The luxurious shared bathrooms, stocked with custom organic bath products, offer showers or a relaxing tub to soak away the day’s exertions.

The sitting lounges provide a choice of places for conversation or reading in easy chairs, loveseats and couches. Located just steps away from the dining and recreation facilities, the Bunkhouse provides a rustic and pleasant stay.

Three accommodation options are available to retreat guests:

Private rooms: dedicated space with only one guest.
Shared rooms: two retreat guests will be placed into a shared room with twin beds.
Couples rooms: designed for two family members who regularly share a household, this is a shared room with twin beds.

Retreat Price

Prices begin at $5,750.00 for a shared room. For private and couples rates, please inquire. Payment plans are available for all registrants.

Includes

• Four nights of luxurious accommodation
• Healthy daily meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
• Transfer to/from Glacier International Airport (FCA)
• Gift bags featuring thoughtfully selected items from small businesses and indigenous creators

Does not include

• Flights
• Ground transportation from airports other than FCA
• Travel insurance
• Price for other activities (massage, etc)

Optional activities

Onsite massages can be arranged at guest’s expense

What past guests have said

The retreat in Montana led by Julia was truly amazing. It was a wonderful experience with regard to being in the NOW and just being present. It was personal, intimate and peaceful and Julia’s program is set up for you to have a wonderful time. Along with the program the location that was selected was perfect for such a retreat and all locations are always personally selected and fitting for the occasion. – Bernadette B.

Julia’s retreats are like no others. You literally leave the world as we know it behind, and enter a place of profound grace where things start happening that are meant just for you. You experience many moments of clarity, connection and a deep sense of serenity that you can carry back with you to your family and community. – Amy S.

Julia’s Montana retreats have always brought magic moments and answers to my questions in life. I have had the deepest connections with the environment there which I have never imagined before. Julia created such a safe container for us to explore the connection we have with nature and people.

The best part of Julia’s retreat is to give whatever we need at that moment, which would open up new doors for us. The bonding we have with the group is also part of the magical experience as we inspire and build on each other to make it a group experience of growth. – Caroline W.

What to pack

Spring in Montana can be unpredictable, with anything from warm weather and sunshine, to snow and rain. Please pack layers and options to keep you comfortable in a range of temperatures and weather conditions. While most retreat programming will take place indoors, we may have sections of the program outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Dancing Spirit Ranch, weather permitting.

Location and how to get there

Dancing Spirit Ranch is located between the mountain towns of Whitefish, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls, only a short drive from Glacier National Park and most easily reached by flights into and out of Glacier International Airport (FCA). Round-trip transportation from FCA to and from Dancing Spirit Ranch will be provided.

The town of Whitefish is also accessible via Amtrak train. Should you plan to arrive by private car, train, or bus, please dialogue with Julia’s team for more information.

Connect and Contact

Conact Julia via email with any questions and visit her website for further details and booking.