Wellness Escapes
Wellness Escapes
Wellness Escapes
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Escape the mundane, surrender to nature, and unwind atop North Carolina’s stunning and serene Blue Ridge Mountains. The relaxing and peaceful sanctuary that is our award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness awaits you with natural and holistic experiences that deliver you to pure bliss. Whether you want to de-stress alone, or reconnect and rejuvenate with a family member, friend, or group, our wellness getaways are designed to soothe the body, mind, and spirit so that every guest emerges vitalized and refreshed.

organicspa

“2024 Travel Awards: Best Detox Program”

spafinder

2016 Winner: Best Hidden Gem, Best for Yoga, Best for Mind, Body, Spirit

washingtonpost

“A 380-acre sanctuary… a balancing act of rest and activities”

instyle
5 Wellness Retreats You Should Escape to ASAP
usatoday

“2023 Reader’s Choice Awards: Best Wellness Retreat”

As a guest of our nationally-acclaimed Shankara Ayurveda Wellness, the personalized care and attention you receive is unparalleled.

Your body will be nourished daily with whole-foods meals, your mind calmed by the profound serenity and wisdom of nature, your spirit renewed with uplifting guided meditation and yoga classes, and your whole being refreshed and revitalized with nurturing Ayurveda treatments and amenities.

Whether you’re coming from near or far, a visit with us will transport you to a world away.

Our all-inclusive Wellness Retreats include

  • 2-night stay in a welcoming and peaceful Retreat Room/Hotel Room
  • 1 60-minute revitalizing Ayurvedic massage or treatment per person, unless otherwise noted*
  • Additional R&R workshops such as Ayurvedic cooking to awaken creativity and stimulate the senses
  • Access to campus activities like our labyrinth, nature trails, bonfires, daily kirtan, and more
  • Daily delicious and healthy meals that promote whole-body health and balance
  • Guided meditation and yoga classes to connect you with your innermost spirit
  • Amenities such as our fitness room, steam room, etc.
  • Free Wi-Fi

Please note, Ayurveda Wellness Escapes are open to participants 18 years of age and older.  Additional classes, treatment enhancements, and services are available for extra costs. View the treatments and consultations menu here.

*PLEASE NOTE  Booking your wellness escape online doesn’t confirm treatment availability during your stay. After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments. This is important, if you miss this step, you may be booking a package stay without treatment availability.

If you make a Wellness Escape reservation and arrive to the Center without booking your treatments ahead of time, your reservation will be changed from a Wellness Escape to our R&R Program. We look forward to your call.

Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Hours

Wednesday 11:00 am–8:00 pm
Thursday–Saturday 9:00 am–6:00 pm
Sunday 8:00 am–2:00 pm

Couples Wellness Escape

Research shows that vacationing as a couple boosts happiness, increases relationship satisfaction, deepens the bond, reduces heart disease in men, and improves mental health for women. Aren’t these enough reasons to escape together?!

Whether you are rekindling a spark or deepening your connection, our all-inclusive package has something for both of you. Through our fresh mountain air, beautiful landscape, nourishing food, Ayurvedic treatments that reset, and classes that promote well-being, this Couples Wellness Escape strengthens your bond while reinvigorating your body, mind, and soul.

Starts at $1,623;
based on double occupancy.

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

"Perfect place for peace and renewal."
—Susan J.
"We greatly enjoyed our stay. The setting is incomparably beautiful and all the staff were wonderful. Thank​ you!"
—Kim H.
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"An excellent weekend. The staff was so welcoming and nurturing, it was if they were our friends. A climate of calmness and goodness."
—HM
"Love the center, loved the amazing people, effective + well executed treatments and the great care that we were all held with. Thank you!"
—Kassie B.
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Girlfriends Wellness Escape

Gather your best girls and break away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy some catching up and well-being.

Studies have shown that time with friends not only improves mood but also produces stress-reducing hormones. Ayurvedic therapies, yoga, meditation, nature trails, and workshops give everyone a chance to celebrate time together. Whether you want to slow down and tune in or move and groove, there’s something for everyone to enjoy—the way they need it. Nourish your friendships and your whole being!

Starts at $1,623;
based on double occupancy.
(For groups of five or more, please call us to book.)

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

Mother–Daughter Wellness Escape

Create new memories and reflect on the past while nurturing your connection with yourself and each other. Harvard Medical School says that mother-daughter trips help relieve stress, improve immune responses, decrease the chances of heart disease, and even help you live longer. This package is designed to bring balance and harmony to you individually and your relationship as a whole. Stimulate your senses and spark creativity with fun and inspiring workshops, Ayurvedic treatments, and our beautiful natural setting. Quiet your mind and nourish yourself through meditation, yoga, and nutritious food. Or, do it all!

Starts at $1,623;
based on double occupancy.

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

"Such a peaceful setting and a very well run center. Very well-organized."
—Susan K.
"Beautiful, friendly atmosphere! Food was yummy! Great place to relax in peace and quiet."
—Pamela H.
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"Amazing place to stay with gourmet organic vegetarian food to recharge, rejuvenate and relax with yoga, meditation."
—Sujatha N.
"One of the best experiences I have had in a long time. Weekend of pure tranquility!"
—Kristi S.
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Discover Ayurveda Solo Escape

Enjoy deep rest and rejuvenation with three 60-minute Ayurveda treatments that support relaxation, clearing, and restoration on the physical, mental, and emotional levels. This purifying experience immerses you in an ancient time-tested Ayurveda cleansing process known for bringing your personal health back into balance and rhythm with nature. Paired with a designated Ayurveda expert who will offer key insights on your body and mind in a personalized lifestyle consultation, your retreat is specially formulated to address your specific wellness needs—emerge feeling lighter, energized, and more healthy overall!

Starts at $1,505;
based on single occupancy.

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

Men's Wellness Escape

Ready for a complete mind-body rest, relaxation, and reset? Whether you come alone or bring your buddies to make it a guys’ weekend, an Ayurveda Wellness Escape is perfect for those seeking to get away, experience nature, and disconnect from the mental chatter and busyness of daily life.

Enjoy the serenity of our 380-acre campus, hike in the pristine forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains, unwind with yoga and meditation, and experience the healing power of Ayurveda with a treatment in our award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness. You’ll leave completely refreshed, with tools to manage stress, improve sleep, and increase energy. It’s nature and nurture for whole-being wellness.

Starts at $929;
based on single occupancy.

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

"The center was more than I could have imagined. Just being on the grounds is calming and peaceful. The staff was friendly and helpful and the spa treatments were relaxing."
—Jason K.
"Beautiful location, friendly atmosphere. The food was delicious. Great place to relax in peace and quiet."
—Paul H.
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"Had a truly wonderful and restorative stay. The food was very delicious and wholesome. Thank you!"
—Leah
"Everything—the food, yoga, and meditation—was really great. The spa treatments were very relaxing."
—Deborah H.
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Rejuvenating Bliss Solo Escape

Press pause on life’s demands and slip away to tranquil mountain views, pampering Ayurveda treatments, and amenities that promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and renewal from the inside-out. Worries will lift as you set foot onto our campus, tensions will fade as you unwind in the steam room, and stress will simply melt away as you are pampered and soothed with body treatments and experiences derived from ancient science and healing practices. From arrival to departure, your body, mind, and spirit will be nurtured back to a deep sense of peace and well-being that carries you throughout your days.

Starts at $929;
based on single occupancy.

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

Weekend of Creativity Escape

Let the breathtaking beauty of our campus inspire you artistically! Creative activities are scientifically proven to produce feel-good hormones in the body—improving memory and emotional well-being, reducing physical pain, and relieving depression and anxiety symptoms. While decompressing and replenishing away from your day-to-day, experience our therapeutic pottery and clay building experience, or find your inner Bobby Flay in an Ayurvedic cooking class. Satisfy your need for “me time” in all the best ways! No experience is required.

Starts at $1,008;
based on single occupancy.

Prices include a service charge of 18% for staff; taxes not included.

After booking your Wellness Escape online, please call 828.264.8382 during spa hours to confirm availability for your treatments.; see the important note above.

"Very interesting, informative, rewarding. Great location. Delicious food. Absolutely loved the pottery experience."
—Stephanie L.
"I was able to achieve the piece of mind I came here for. The retreat center, food, yoga, and pottery were all very therapeutic and enjoyable."
—Arvin
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Shankara Ayurveda Wellness

Shankara Ayurveda Wellness is rated one of the best by many nationwide publications, including InStyle, USA Today, The Washington Post, Organic Spa, SpaFinder. We combine ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness to bring you the care you deserve.

As a getaway guest, our experts will show you Ayurveda’s proven power to bring the mind, body, and soul into an open, blissful, and restored state. Our amenities—including our fitness room, steam room, and lounge—are designed to relax, refresh, recharge, and enhance your overall well-being.

Whether you’re a seasoned Ayurveda therapy practitioner or just curious about alternative therapies and approaches to well-being, if your soul is calling for detoxification, relaxation, rejuvenation—or all of the above—the indulgence and care you will experience at Shankara Ayurveda Wellness will be something you talk about for years to come.

Food for Mind, Body, and Soul

Drawing on influences from the local harvest in Boone to Bombay and even the Caribbean, our chefs aim to please the palate with vegetarian nourishment made from fresh, seasonal ingredients designed to energize and nourish all body types. We offer many meat-free and vegan options, however, some portions of our meals do contain dairy. We cater to any gluten, dairy, soy, and nut-related allergies and list allergens and ingredients on our menus.

Find out more about our food philosophy and dining at the Center here.

We grow a variety of our very own fresh and delicious fruits, vegetables, and flowers on-site. Our garden is as much a place for the nourishment of the soul as it is a place of nourishment for the body. Many staff, volunteers, and journeyers regularly walk the paths. 

Amenities & Activities

Your getaway includes many soul-feeding amenities, workshops, and activities. Visit the R&R Retreats page to view the most up-to-date schedule.

yoga class

Yoga

Sri Sri Yoga is a holistic and energizing practice, integrating mind, body, and spirit. The techniques of Hatha yoga are taught in a light and joyful, but thorough manner – useful and suitable for everyone from beginner to advanced practitioners. 

MindMeditation1 scaled

Mindfulness & Meditation

Rejuvenate from within! Meditation offers deep rest for mind and body. We also teach complementary breathing exercises to still the mind. Here, you can participate in guided meditation, accompanied by time questions and discussion. 

Hiking

Majestic sights and clean mountain air await! Expand or restart your fitness routine with personally guided classes and nature walks with an onsite fitness expert. With more than 380 acres of pristine mountaintop, vast open skies, and magnificent panoramic views, you’ll find a myriad of reasons to get outdoors and connect with nature.

Dawn–Sunset

aolrc campus labyrinth min

Other Options

Guided Labyrinth Walks
Healing Arts Presentations
Evening Bonfire
Kirtan
Fitness Room
Steam Rooms

mindful painting RR

Mindful Painting

Watercolor is a painting method in which the paints are made of pigments suspended in a water-based solution. Each class begins with a tutorial on the techniques of watercolor painting. Your instructor will help you to connect your emotions to the art of watercolor painting as a tool for art therapy. Students are encouraged to take their beautiful masterpiece(s) home as memorabilia of this course and their stay here at the Art of Living Retreat Center. 

ncluded with R&R Retreat and Spa Getaway packages; additional fee for all other guests.

Hours
Sunday Only; 1 hour class $25

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Introduction to Ayurveda’s Lifestyle of Health

One of the oldest systems of healing in the world, Ayurveda teaches practical tips to balance mind and body throughout the changing seasons of life.

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Ayurveda Cooking Classes

Explore Ayurveda cooking—Ayurveda is the oldest natural health care system on the planet—with our talented Ayurveda cooking experts. These fun and interactive classes are themed with the seasons, keeping us in touch with the rhythm of nature for optimal health and well-being. Save some room, as we will sample what we’re cooking.

Included with R&R Retreat and Spa Getaway packages; additional fee for all other guests.

pottery

Pottery Studio

In the Clay Studio, you are free to learn and create. Gain experience in hand-building, where you learn how to slab build and decorate pots.

Saturday
10:00 am–7:00 pm
Clay Hand-building $55 (1 hour)

*Class schedules are subject to change; glazing and shipping included.

Tripadvisor
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My girlfriends and I had a weekend getaway. The views were fantastic, the staff was helpful and accommodating, and the spa experience was great. We want to go back next year!

Weekend of Creativity Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Plan your special day over a delicious whole-foods breakfast.
  • Walk our beautiful labyrinth or hike one of our scenic nature trails and reconnect with your inner self.
  • Express your creativity and have some fun playing with and shaping clay in your pottery class.

AFTERNOON

  • Mingle with like-minded visitors over lunch in the Dining Hall.
  • Cook up something new together in our Ayurveda cooking class or get clever on the canvas in a painting class.
  • Unwind with a relaxing spa treatment. Choose from a warm oil massage, energizing facial, or rejuvenating Netra Tarpana treatment and let our professional therapists pamper you. (Additional spa treatments available here.)
  • Recharge in the steam room.

EVENING

  • Browse our shop for crystals, jewelry, scarves, and more.
  • Nourish your body with a healthy dinner.
  • Take in the spectacular sunset or join the fireside concert.

Discover Ayurveda Solo Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Energize your mind, body, and spirit with morning yoga or meditation class.
  • Savor a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
  • Self-reflect as you leisurely walk our beautiful labyrinth.
  • Rest, replenish and rejuvenate with Abhyanga therapy—a detoxifying warm oil Ayurveda massage that incorporates warm, aromatic oils, rhythmically massaged into your body, cleansing, relaxing, and re-energizing the body and mind.

AFTERNOON

  • Grab some delicious chai and relax in our cafe or take in the majestic views on our deck.
  • Plan your afternoon over a nourishing lunch.
  • Connect with nature while hiking or walking one of our many breathtaking mountain trails.
  • Return to the spa for a Basti session to rejuvenate your joints! Stiff joints are bathed in warm medicated oil and massaged to deepen the therapeutic effects that increase lubrication and promote smooth flexibility and mobility.

EVENING

  • Get creative and have fun in our painting studio or kitchen.
  • Refuel your body with a tasty and healthy dinner.

Rejuvenating Bliss Solo Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Gaze at the sunrise while filling your lungs with fresh mountain air and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.
  • Sow a new level of calm and balance into your life with a Yoga or meditation class.
  • Enjoy a delicious whole-foods breakfast.
  • Cleanse your soul with a leisurely walk on one of our beautiful nature trails.

AFTERNOON

  • Nourish your body with a healthy and nutritious lunch.
  • Make a new memory with a cooking, painting, or pottery* class (*additional cost).
  • Choose from the widest selection of Ayurvedic therapies in the US for whole-body nourishment and renewal and let our professional therapists do all the work while you relax and rejuvenate.
  • Unwind in the steam room.

EVENING

  • Stop by our bookstore and explore our collection of new and classic self-care and spiritual resources.
  • Grab a fresh, calming herbal tea and curl up with a good book in your cozy room.

Mother-Daughter Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Plan your special day over a delicious whole-foods breakfast.
  • Retreat into relaxation with a mother-daughter spa treatment. Choose from a warm oil massage, energizing facial, or rejuvenating Netra Tarpana treatment and let our professional therapists pamper you. (Additional spa treatments available here.)
  • Recharge in the steam room.

AFTERNOON

  • Enjoy a decadent Mexican hot chocolate and reminisce in our cozy cafe.
  • Browse our shop for crystals, jewelry, scarves, and more.
  • Mingle with like-minded visitors over lunch in the Dining Hall.
  • Explore our captivating campus or head out on one of our guided mountain trail hikes.
  • Cook up something new together in our Ayurveda cooking class.
  • Self-reflect as you leisurely walk our beautiful labyrinth.

EVENING

  • Feed your body with a healthy dinner.
  • Take in the spectacular sunset or join the fireside concert.

Girlfriends Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING
  • Energize your mind, body, and spirit together with morning yoga or meditation class.
  • Catch up over a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
  • Connect with nature and reminisce while hiking one of our many mountain trails.
AFTERNOON
  • Plan your afternoon over a nourishing lunch.
  • De-stress with a girlfriends spa treatment, like our relaxing signature massage, hydrating facial, or energizing Marma session, and let our therapists work their magic. (Additional spa treatments available here.)
  • Get creative and have fun in our painting studio or Ayurveda food kitchen.
  • Grab some delicious chai and relax in our cafe or take in the majestic views on our deck.
EVENING
  • Plenty of time for bonding during a dinner.
  • Visit our shop and grab some souvenirs, rejuvenating herbal supplements, and restorative health products from Shankara’s all-natural beauty line.
  • Dance and sing at Kirtan.

Couples Wellness Escape

(Sample Schedule)

MORNING

  • Gaze at the sunrise while filling your lungs with fresh mountain air and reminisce on the moments that connected you.
  • Bring a new level of calm and balance to your relationship with a Yoga or Meditation class.
  • Enjoy a delicious whole-foods breakfast together.
  • Walk or hike one of our beautiful nature trails and reconnect with each other, nature, and oneself.

AFTERNOON

  • Share a healthy and nutritious lunch.
  • Make a new memory by taking a workshop or educational class, or create a new experience together with a pottery*, watercolor painting, or cooking class (*additional cost).
  • Reduce tension and stress with a couple’s or individual Ayurveda spa treatment. Choose from the widest selection of Ayurvedic therapies in the US for whole-body nourishment and renewal.
  • Unwind in the steam room together.

EVENING

  • Stop by our bookstore and explore our collection of self-care and spiritual resources or spend time reading in the cafe.

Group Inquiry Request

Group Inquiry Request