tara.

Returning Home to Our Body

tara x fome collective​

A week-long retreat where, through movement, somatic practice, and dance, we return to the softness and strength of the body as home. We will explore what it means to move from sensation rather than appearance, to shed the masks of false smiles, to let our muscles, bones, and breath speak their own wild language. 

“You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.”

Mary Oliver, Wild Geese

About The Retreat

In a culture that teaches us to polish, control, and fix our bodies, this retreat invites another way. The body is not a machine to correct, but a living landscape to tend to. A place of memory, resilience, imagination and joy.

Every sensation, every emotion, every story is woven into our tissues, carried not only from our own lives but from generations before us. Feminine bodies, in particular, have absorbed the weight of systemic oppression; experiences that manifest as tension, numbness, and alienation. By slowing down, dropping into gravity, and reclaiming the full range of movement and embodiment, we begin to transform the body from a site of tension and alienation into a source of belonging and liberation.

This is not a retreat about “pretty” movement or dance. It is about surrender, play, risk, and remembering. Through somatic practice we cultivate softness without silencing necessary fire, tenderness without erasing anger, ease without detaching from justice.

A DAY AT THE RETREAT

08:00 – Movement, Dance & Embodiment
09.30 – River Dip
10:00 – Brunch
11:00 – Checkin Circle
15:00 – Workshop or Hike
17:00 – Dinner
19:00 – Evening Activity 

WE WILL EXPLORE

Explore free movement and creative expression through dance.
Gain somatic tools to understand and regulate your experiences while reconnecting with your body’s innate wisdom and joy.
Release deeply held patterns by uncovering and freeing stories, emotions, and ancestral imprints stored in the body.
Learn to express and transform rage and anger through somatic practices.
Understand the body as an interconnected entity, relating to the world, nature, and others through dance.
Transform the body from a site of tension and alienation into a source of liberation.

Prices & accommodation

For a 7-day (6-night) retreat, including all classes, workshops, hikes, accommodation at The Grove, and two vegetarian buffets daily. The group will consist of a maximum of 23 participants. The price covers everything for the week, except flights and transportation to the retreat space. 

Community Care & Scholarship Spots

 Applications are open until December 15, 2025.
We believe that collective healing should be accessible to all. For those with financial constraints, we offer:

Scholarship Spots (50% off): with priority for women from the Balkans and from the Global South. Apply Here. 

Support Spots (50% off): for someone supporting daily tasks during the retreat (kitchen, setup, etc.). Apply here.

Your Facilitators​

Marijana Lemm

Marijana is the founder of Tara Retreats, a community organizer, and a complementary medicine practitioner. For the past seven years, she has been hosting and teaching at women’s retreats, combining movement, art, and nature-based learning. Her work is devoted to inspiring collective healing, social justice, and strengthening our connection to the land, with her roots stemming from both Montenegro and Germany.

Melanie Afi Glover

Melanie Afi Glover is a choreographer, dance educator, yoga teacher, and certified Ayurveda coach with a background in exercise and health science. As the founder of The Dance Camp Switzerland, she has been organizing dance camps, workshops, and retreats for the past six years, blending health and creative expression to help participants explore their potential through dance and mindfulness.

THE PLACE

The Grove is a beautifully restored mill house nestled in the historic town of Stari Bar, Montenegro. Surrounded by ancient olive trees, mountain trails, and a freshwater stream flowing through the land, it offers a quiet refuge from the pace of everyday life. Stari Bar is alive with history and charm cobbled paths, the ruins of an old fortress, hidden waterfalls, and groves that have carried stories for centuries.

Meals are prepared in Sham’s kitchen, where Palestinian food is cooked with warmth and care. Nourishing dishes are made with seasonal produce from local farms, filling the table with flavors that are both homely and deeply rooted in tradition. Eating together becomes a ritual of belonging a way of sharing culture, story, and community through every bite.

DIGITAL DETOX

We recommend a digital detox to help you reconnect with your wild nature. While it’s not required, stepping away from technology can create space for deeper immersion in the natural world and allow you to rediscover your innate instincts.

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What our past guests have to say:​

Immie
ImmieReturning Home to Our Body & Wild Women participant
"‘This retreat was the pause I needed. I was held gently by the beautiful lands of Montenegro and deeply supported and loved by Marijana and the other facilitators. We laughed, we danced, we softened, we shared stories and became a close family of beautiful strong women reclaiming our strength. If your spirit longs to be let free, this retreat is the doorway and I would encourage any of my fellow women to step through and be part of this experience."
Jasmin, SwitzerlandReturning Home to Our Body Participant
"Hey hey, here are a few thoughts from me about our wonderful retreat. To begin with, for me, the week in Montenegro was truly a unique and magical experience. I learned a lot about nature and how our bodies are connected to it, about the intersectionality of different social systems like capitalism and racism that destroy nature and us, but also about myself. You and Meli created a space in which we were able to deeply engage with ourselves. Who are we, and what has shaped our character and our way to see things? What is the connection between our insecurities and defense mechanisms, and the experiences our bodies have gone through in different phases? These questions, which are very personal, we were allowed to explore individually, and within the group, we could also feel that something connects us all. That gave me a lot of strength and energy and expanded my awareness. I feel that nowadays everything moves so fast we think a lot, but we rarely take the time to reflect more deeply and thoroughly, because that can be difficult. But with your guidance, it became easier. For example, the exercises “the many lives of my body” and “the stories of anger in our bodies” helped me to better understand my actions and my personality. I found this reflection very interesting. Sometimes it was difficult for me to share my insights with the group I really admire how well most people could do that, even though it probably wasn’t easy for anyone but it was wonderful to have the opportunity. I also especially enjoyed Meli’s last workshop with the quotes and questions. The movement sessions inspired me deeply. The exercises, the music, and the gentle guidance from you and Meli allowed us to truly listen to our bodies, to learn to express ourselves, and to practice what you once said: “Take up space!” Of course, the beautiful location in the middle of nature, the digital detox, and the magical food also contributed to the relaxed atmosphere and the feeling of community. The only thing that was a bit difficult for me personally was the language barrier maybe next time I would speak more often in my native languages, even if not everyone understands. Because telling my stories feels like something I do primarily for myself, not for the others. Overall, I feel that you really touched on themes that are very relevant and important in women’s lives today. This week gave me a lot of courage, power, and resources that we can continue to develop on our own if we want to. And I will definitely do that. Thank you so much for everything Marijana"

Frequently Asked Questions​

What should I bring with me?

Here is a packing list that you might find helpful when getting ready for the retreat ahead:

  • Comfortable clothes for movement and other activities
  • Closed suitable shoes for walking/hiking
  • Swimsuit if you want to go swimming (we also have a Jacuzzi)
  • Journal and pens
  • Toiletries (all natural products are suggested due to the organic sewage system)
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat for sunny days
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Rain jacket (in case it happens to rain)
  • Sea shoes (there may be sea urchins at the beach)
How to get here?

You can travel to our retreats either by air plane, train or bus.

For getting to the retreat from Sutomore train station, Tivat airport or Podgorica airport, there is a great local taxi driver Stefan who you can contact beforehand via Whatsapp (+382 69444506). We will be creating a whatsapp group chat for everyone a little closer to the retreat start date where you can find other guests you might like to carpool with. 

What if I have to cancel the retreat?

For the latest information on our Reschedule & Cancellation policy, please click here.

Is this retreat for women of all ages?

Yes, we welcome all women between the age of 18 to 80 to this retreat. We love having a variety of ages on our retreat and it is wonderful to see different generations connecting and sharing their wisdom with each other. On average our guests for this retreat are usually between early 20s to mid 30s.

Is their wifi available?

There will be a digital detox on the whole retreat.

What is the typical group size?

The maximum group size for this retreat is 25 women. 

Can I join this retreat on my own?

You absolutely can! Most of our guests come alone and love the experience. It is a safe environment to be yourself and form authentic friendships. We have seen some of the most beautiful connections blossom during these retreats.

Where to stay - extra days in Montenegro

Depending on your flights, you may have an extra day to enjoy Montenegro before:

Our favourite places to enjoy your time in Montenegro:

Hoopoe Glamping (Lake Skadar)
The Grove Hostel (Bar)
Wild river rafting at Tara River (Grab Etno Village)
Kite Surfing at Ada Bojana
Porcelani (mountainside getaway airbnb neat Skadar)
Hiking in the Cursed Mountains or Dormitor
Airbnbs in our nearby town Buljarica & Petrovac
If you would like to adventure a little further and have more time, Kotor is a beautiful, UNESCO world herited city and if you love nature we would recommend you to go explore the Durmitor mountains, Tara river and the cursed mountains near Albania, for some of the most beautiful, clear lakes!

If you would like to know more about nice places to stay in Montenegro, feel free to email us and we will give you more information.