FAQ
Breathwork and meditation retreat FAQ
Last updated: November 2026
What should I know before booking a breathwork retreat?
Know the dates, the format, who teaches, and what the price includes before you book any breathwork retreat.
For Andrew Keaveney's retreats: the next is November 5 to 8, 2026, it is residential, it is held at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and pricing comes from the center. The 45 answers below cover everything else.
What a breathwork retreat is
What is a breathwork retreat?
A breathwork retreat is a stay of several days where guided breathing practices form the core of the program, usually alongside meditation, rest and time outdoors. Andrew Keaveney teaches breathwork and meditation through residential retreats, so guests stay on site at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and practice continues from morning to evening without commuting.
What is the difference between breathwork and meditation?
Breathwork uses deliberate breathing patterns as an active practice, while meditation is resting attention and letting the mind settle. Andrew teaches both together. One of his podcast conversations is titled "How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation," which reflects how he pairs them: breathing first, then sitting quietly in the calm it leaves behind.
What does residential retreat mean?
A residential retreat is a program where you sleep, eat and practice at the same venue for its full length. Both of Andrew’s upcoming programs, the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat and the Happiness Retreat, are residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. Staying on site removes daily logistics so your attention stays on practice.
Is this a holotropic breathwork retreat?
No. Andrew’s published programs are breathwork and meditation retreats, not holotropic breathwork. His background is four years studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India and over 17 years teaching breathwork and meditation. If you are searching specifically for a holotropic breathwork retreat, confirm the method with any program before you book.
Is it a somatic breathwork retreat?
Andrew’s retreats are not marketed as somatic breathwork. They are breathwork and meditation retreats rooted in his training at an ashram in India. Many people come for the body-level calm that breath practice brings, and one of his talks is titled "How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just Breathe)." Ask Andrew directly if a specific method matters to you.
Andrew’s retreats and dates
When is the next breathwork retreat with Andrew?
The next listed program is the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, November 5 to 8, 2026, a residential retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. It is followed by the Happiness Retreat, November 11 to 13, 2026, at the same center. For later dates, check the full program list on the Retreat Center’s website.
Where are Andrew Keaveney’s retreats held?
Andrew regularly teaches at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and he helped launch the center. Both of his upcoming November 2026 programs are residential retreats there. His own photographs from the area show morning clouds in Blue Ridge valleys, mountain waterfalls and autumn trees around the center.
What is the Happiness Retreat?
The Happiness Retreat is a residential retreat Andrew is teaching November 11 to 13, 2026, at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. It runs Wednesday to Friday. Detailed daily schedules are published by the Retreat Center rather than on this site, so check the center’s program page for the full description before booking.
How long are Andrew’s retreats?
The two programs listed for November 2026 run three to four days. The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8, Thursday to Sunday, and the Happiness Retreat runs November 11 to 13, Wednesday to Friday. Both are residential, so you stay at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, for the whole program.
Who teaches the retreats?
Andrew Keaveney teaches them. He has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years in the U.S. and India, after four years studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India. He helped launch the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and regularly teaches retreats there.
Is there a breathwork retreat in 2026?
Yes. Andrew’s Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. A Happiness Retreat follows on November 11 to 13, 2026. Programs scheduled after that are listed on the Retreat Center’s own website, which carries all of its current programs.
Pricing and booking
How much does a breathwork retreat cost?
Andrew’s retreat prices are not stated on this site; the Art of Living Retreat Center lists program details on its own website. For a market reference, The Retreat Company’s breathwork retreats page lists one UK retreat at £655/£870 for two nights. Prices vary by venue, length, room type and country, so confirm current pricing directly.
How do I book a retreat with Andrew?
Start at the teaching section of Andrew’s main website, andrewkeaveney.com, which lists his upcoming programs and links to all programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center. The center handles program registration. If you have a question first, the same site has a get in touch link for retreat and interview inquiries.
Are meals and lodging included in the retreat?
Andrew’s programs are residential retreats, which means you stay at the Art of Living Retreat Center for the length of the program. Exactly what each package includes, such as room type and meals, is set by the center and is not published on this site. Check the program listing on the Retreat Center’s website for current inclusions.
Is there a discount on breathwork retreats?
This site does not list discounts for Andrew’s programs. For context, the retreat marketplace Longevity Escapes advertises €50 off a handpicked wellness retreat, with a minimum stay of five nights, for newsletter subscribers. That offer is theirs, not Andrew’s. Ask the Art of Living Retreat Center about any current offers for its own programs.
How far in advance should I book a retreat?
Book as early as your plans allow, because residential retreats are limited by the rooms available on site. With the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat starting November 5, 2026, and the Happiness Retreat on November 11, 2026, check availability now on the Retreat Center’s website. If a date is full, its program list shows later options.
Beginners and who it is for
Is a meditation retreat good for beginners?
Yes, a meditation retreat can be a good start because guidance is continuous and distractions are removed. Andrew writes for newcomers too, including an article titled "3 things I wish I knew before starting meditation." With over 17 years of teaching, he is used to guiding people who have never sat before. Mention your experience level when you book.
Do I need breathwork experience to attend?
No prior breathwork experience is stated as a requirement for Andrew’s upcoming programs. Retreats that pair breathwork with meditation typically teach techniques step by step from the first session. If you have a health condition that affects your breathing, ask the Retreat Center about any program requirements before you register.
Who are Andrew’s retreats for?
They are for people seeking meditation or breathwork instruction and a retreat experience. That includes beginners who want a guided start, practitioners who want deeper time away, and people who want a few calm days in the North Carolina mountains. Anyone who needs a short personal conversation instead may prefer an Intuitive Life Scan session.
Can I come if I am stressed or burned out?
Yes, and many people come to breathwork and meditation for stress. A meta-analysis published on PubMed Central found breathwork was associated with lower stress than control conditions, with an effect size of g = -0.35. Andrew has also made a film titled "New Study Reveals How to Beat Burnout!" A retreat is not medical care, so keep any treatment you have.
What should I bring to a meditation retreat?
Bring comfortable layered clothing, walking shoes and something warm, because Boone sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains and evenings can be cool. A water bottle and a notebook help too. For anything specific to your program, such as items the venue provides, check the program page on the Art of Living Retreat Center website or ask the center.
What if my mind will not stop racing when I meditate?
That is normal, and it is not a reason to stay away. Andrew made a film called "Your Mind When You Try to Meditate: Honest Confessions" and another on tackling unwanted thoughts and improving focus. Starting with breathwork often helps, because the breath gives attention something concrete to do before you sit in silence.
Compared to alternatives
Which is better, a breathwork retreat or a breathwork workshop?
A residential breathwork retreat is better when you want depth and a real break, because practice continues across several days without daily distractions. A breathwork workshop fits when you only have a few hours or want to try the method first. Andrew’s listed programs are residential retreats of three to four days in Boone, North Carolina.
Are online breathwork classes as good as a retreat?
Online breathwork classes are convenient for daily practice, but a retreat gives sustained, in-person guidance and time away from routine. Andrew’s published teaching offerings are in-person residential retreats; his online offering is the 15-minute Intuitive Life Scan. He also shares free podcasts, films and guided meditations, including a 15 minute meditation for inner peace.
Does Andrew offer online breathwork classes?
Andrew’s published offerings do not include a scheduled series of online breathwork classes. His teaching is through residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center. Online, he offers Intuitive Life Scan sessions, his Everyday Joy writing on Substack, and recorded talks and films, including guided meditations of 10 and 15 minutes.
Should I go to a breathwork retreat in Thailand, India or Europe instead?
Choose based on time, budget and travel tolerance. Retreats abroad add flights, time zones and often longer stays; The Retreat Company lists options as far away as an 8 day luxury wellness reset in the Maldives. If you live in the eastern U.S., a three to four day program in Boone, North Carolina, avoids international travel.
What is the difference between a retreat and a weekly class?
A weekly class gives you an hour of practice inside a normal week, while a residential retreat gives you several days where practice is the whole point. Retreats suit people who want to reset habits or go deeper quickly. Weekly classes suit steady maintenance. Many people combine both, using a retreat to start and classes to continue.
Is a Life Scan session a substitute for a retreat?
No, they serve different needs. A retreat is several days of breathwork and meditation instruction. An Intuitive Life Scan is a 15-minute one-on-one session where Andrew offers intuitive counsel on a specific question, such as relationships, finances, health, career or life purpose. Start with a retreat if you want to build a practice.
Boone and practical details
Where is the Art of Living Retreat Center?
The Art of Living Retreat Center is in Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Andrew helped launch the center and regularly teaches retreats there. For directions, travel options and room details, use the center’s own website, which lists all of its programs along with practical visitor information.
Is there a breathwork retreat near me in North Carolina?
If you are in or near North Carolina, Andrew’s residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone are a close option. The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8, 2026. Many people in neighboring Southeastern states can reach Boone by car rather than flying, which keeps a short retreat simple.
What is the setting like in Boone?
Boone sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Andrew’s own photographs from retreats and quiet mornings there show clouds drifting through valleys, green ridges seen from above, mountain waterfalls and autumn trees around the retreat center at sunset. The setting invites time outdoors between sessions.
Can I do a weekend meditation retreat with Andrew?
Yes. The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat on November 5 to 8, 2026, runs Thursday to Sunday, so it covers a weekend with two weekdays added. The Happiness Retreat on November 11 to 13, 2026, runs Wednesday to Friday. Both are residential programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
Are there meditation retreats in the USA taught by someone trained in India?
Yes. Andrew Keaveney studied yoga, meditation and Sanskrit for four years at an ashram in India, then taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years in the U.S. and India. He now regularly teaches residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, which he helped launch.
Intuitive Life Scan sessions
What is an Intuitive Life Scan?
An Intuitive Life Scan is a 15-minute one-on-one session in which Andrew taps into the intuitive space beyond the thinking mind to bring clarity and direction to your question. Sessions are offered online or in person, by donation, and cover areas such as relationships, finances, health, career and life purpose.
How much does an Intuitive Life Scan cost?
Intuitive Life Scan sessions are offered by donation, so there is no fixed price. Each session is 15 minutes, one-on-one with Andrew, and can be held online or in person. Spots are limited. Booking is through Andrew’s scheduling page, linked from his main website and from the Life Scan page on this site.
How do I book an Intuitive Life Scan?
Book through Andrew’s Calendly page for Life Scan sessions, which is linked on this site’s Life Scan page and on andrewkeaveney.com. Choose a time, then join online or meet in person. Andrew’s own description is simple: all you need to do is show up and receive. Spots are limited, so book ahead.
What can I ask in a Life Scan session?
You can bring a big decision, a relationship taking a turn, or a worry that will not let go. Andrew lists relationships, finances, health, career and life purpose as common areas. With only 15 minutes, it helps to arrive with one clear question so the session can focus on clarity and direction.
Is a Life Scan medical, legal or financial advice?
No. An Intuitive Life Scan is intuitive counsel, not professional medical, legal or financial advice. It is meant to bring clarity and direction during uncertainty. For a diagnosis, a legal matter or an investment decision, consult a licensed professional, and treat the session as personal reflection alongside that advice.
Results, research and getting started
Does breathwork actually work for stress?
Published research supports it. A meta-analysis on PubMed Central found breathwork was associated with lower levels of stress than control conditions, with a small-to-medium mean effect size of g = -0.35 (95% CI -0.55 to -0.14, p = 0.0009). Heterogeneity across studies was intermediate, I² = 42%, so results vary between programs.
Do the benefits of breathwork last?
One study suggests they can. Maastricht University research on the self-rated effectiveness of ayahuasca and breathwork found that well-being, resilience and self-compassion increased and remained stable over 12 weeks compared to baseline, regardless of group. Lasting change usually also depends on continuing to practice after a retreat ends.
Is breathwork as effective as psychedelics?
One study compared them. Maastricht University researchers reported that well-being, resilience and self-compassion increased and stayed stable over 12 weeks versus baseline in both the ayahuasca group and the breathwork group. That is one self-rated study, not proof of equivalence, but breathwork requires no substances at all.
What results do Andrew’s retreat guests report?
This site does not publish guest testimonials or outcome figures for Andrew’s retreats. Instead, it cites published research on breathwork and stress, and points to Andrew’s own talks and films, such as "The Healing Power of Breath: Transform Your Brain, Body & Life," so you can hear how he teaches before you book.
Is a retreat a replacement for therapy?
No. A breathwork and meditation retreat is a practice and rest experience, not a medical or psychological treatment. Research links breathwork with lower stress, but if you are receiving care, keep it and tell your provider about your plans. Andrew has discussed this area on podcasts, including "Breathwork, Meditation & Mental Wellness."
How do I get started with breathwork before a retreat?
Start small: a few minutes of slow, attentive breathing each day, then a short sit. Andrew’s free recordings help, including "10 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation by the Lake" and "15 Minute Meditation to Help You Find Inner Peace." His Everyday Joy writing on Substack shares reflections on meditation, breath and ordinary life.
Can I contact Andrew before booking a retreat?
Yes. Andrew’s main website has a teaching section with his upcoming programs and a get in touch link for anyone interested in an interview or retreat. Use it to ask whether a program suits your experience level, then register through the Art of Living Retreat Center, which handles bookings for its programs.
Come sit with us in the mountains.
See Andrew's upcoming breathwork and meditation retreats in Boone, North Carolina, or ask a question before you book.