What if you could break free from the grip of childhood trauma and embrace a life rooted in clarity, connection, and resilience? In this immersive retreat, Anna Runkle’s renowned Crappy Childhood Fairy approach will guide you through proven techniques to calm emotional triggers, regulate your nervous system, and reclaim your sense of ease. Within a nurturing in-person setting, you’ll engage in empowering practices, gain actionable insights, and build a supportive community to carry your healing forward with strength and purpose.
Recommended (but not required) viewing: Anna’s The Daily Practice (free online course).
This retreat is open to everyone, but is not appropriate for those in mental health crisis.
SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.
Practical Healing Tools
Master techniques to notice and calm neurological dysregulation, the core symptom of early trauma.
Trigger Awareness
Identify personal triggers and reduce their emotional and neurological impact.
Sustained Regulation
Build the skills to stay regulated more often and navigate life with balance.
Empowered Self-Awareness
Understand how past experiences shape your reactions and make conscious, healthier choices for growth and resilience.
Resilient Mindset
Learn to approach challenges with a clear mind and emotional resilience.
Expanded Connections
Break free from isolation and form meaningful relationships within a supportive community.
Step into a supportive space where healing begins, and transformation takes root. This retreat focuses on empowering you to identify and regulate trauma-driven behaviors, expand your capacity for meaningful connection, and embrace your authentic self. With Anna’s expert guidance and a dedicated community by your side, you’ll leave equipped with practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose to sustain your growth long after the retreat.
Gain hands-on experience with Anna’s renowned Daily Practice techniques, the cornerstone of her healing method.
Experience engaging sessions where Anna shares practical insights and tools to address trauma symptoms effectively.
Participate in supportive small-group activities designed to deepen understanding and foster meaningful connections.
Use structured worksheets to identify triggers, assess symptoms, and outline actionable next steps for lasting change.
Reflect on your personal journey with prompts designed to enhance self-awareness and healing.
This experiential retreat offers a well-balanced schedule that combines structured educational sessions with flexible time blocks—ensuring you have ample opportunity to engage in learning while also allowing personal time to explore the retreat center, participate in activities, and enjoy moments of reflection and relaxation.
Check-in Begins 4:00 pm
Dinner 6:00–7:00 pm
Orientation 7:00–7:20 pm
Session 1 7:30–9:00 pm
Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am
Session 2 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Lunch 12:30–1:30 pm
Session 3 2:00–5:00 pm
Free Time 5:00–6:00 pm
Dinner 6:00–7:30 pm
Session 4 7:30–9:30
Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am
Session 5 9:30 am–12:30 pm
Room Checkout 11:00 am; luggage may be held at Reception.
Lunch 12:30–1:30 pm
Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am • Lunch: 12:00–1:30 pm • Dinner: 6:00–7:30 pm
Optional activities include
Yoga • Meditation • Kirtan • Bonfire • Labyrinth • Nature Trails
Anna Runkle, The Crappy Childhood Fairy, spearheads a global movement dedicated to helping individuals recognize and heal from trauma symptoms, regardless of their access to professional support.
Prices include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)
Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.
Ideal for friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.
Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.
Note Room may contain extra single beds.
Fully furnished 665 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 2 persons)
Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.
Fully furnished 995 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)
Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.
Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops
Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments
Take your rejuvenation to another level. Our spa offers treatments and therapies that integrate ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness.
Call to check availability during Shankara Ayurveda Spa business hours; seven days a week, 9:00 am–6:00 pm.
For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:
AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.
Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
To encourage a healthy environment, we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces. However, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms.
Our property is always smoke-free.
Yes, we ask that guests with food allergies simply inform us so we can communicate those needs to our chef. Typically, we label potential allergens such as gluten, dairy, and nuts. You may email us at info@artoflivingretreatcenter.org.
Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.
We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.
We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.
You can help!
Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center
Hickory Hop Shuttle Service Book online hickoryhop.com The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations are required, so book ahead online and be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.
High Country Limo 828.898.9595 highcountrylimo.com
Oscar’s Car Service 704.965.5800
Edwardo’s Car Service 704.949.6775
Blue Bird Transportation 828.989.7286 Blue Bird of Boone
Abby Cab 828.475.2988 abbycab.com
Uber or Lyft Book in app on arrival.
Other airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center include
Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)
Visit our directions page for more information.
Step into a world where mindfulness meets beauty. Our gallery captures the essence of the Art of Living—from serene moments of reflection to vibrant celebrations of life, wellness, and connection.
SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.