Change Your Questions, Change Your Future

Become Your Best Self

ELLIOTT CONNIE, MA, LPC

Tuition

$340 per person—plus room/meals & tax

FEATURED GUEST PRESENTER

Change Your Questions, Change Your Future

…amidst the stunning, natural backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Find new levels of calm and energy for life.

ELLIOTT CONNIE, MA, LPC

Master the art of asking questions that drive powerful results.

April 4–6, 2025

A STructured
2-Night/3-Day Retreat

Energy Work
Spiritual
Better Relationships
Personal Development
Self-Care

Harness the Power of Purposeful Questions

What if changing the way you ask questions could change your future? Join licensed professional counselor Elliott Connie, MA, LPC, for an enlightening retreat where you’ll learn how the questions you ask yourself and others can shape your reality and lead to greater success, happiness, and fulfillment. Rooted in the principles of Solution Focused Brief Therapy, this workshop is designed to empower you with the art of asking insightful, results-driven questions that propel you toward your goals. Dive deep into the profound impact of effective questioning and unearth the key to creating the life you desire.

Recommended reading: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Elliott Connie.

Reserve Your Spot Now

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

Retreat Benefits

Increased Happiness

Understand the power of positive questioning to cultivate a happier, more fulfilling life.

Personal Growth Icon

Greater Success Potential

Learn how to ask questions that lead to better information and outcomes, enhancing your potential for success.

Goal-Oriented Thinking

Learn how to ask questions that keep you focused on creating the life you truly want.

Enhanced Clarity

Use powerful questions to bring clarity to your decisions and actions, reducing uncertainty.

Self-Empowerment

Discover how asking the right questions can help you become the best version of yourself.

self-reflection

Refined Self-Awareness

Develop a deeper understanding of your goals, allowing you to make more informed choices.

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

Are you ready to master the art of asking questions that lead to success and fulfillment?

WHAT TO EXPECT

Gain Clarity on Your Path Forward

Experience the transformative effect of asking purposeful questions in your daily life. Through immersive experiences, engaging interactions, and reflective activities, you’ll learn to identify and overcome limiting beliefs, gain a clearer understanding of your goals, and start taking active steps toward becoming your best self. Participants will leave feeling more confident, focused, and ready to embrace a future filled with possibility and growth.

1. Live Demonstrations with Elliott

Observe live demonstrations where Elliott shows how asking purposeful questions creates real change.

2. Experiential Excercises

Participate in experiential activities that teach you how to form effective, solution-focused questions.

3. Guided Group Discussions

Engage in lively group discussions where you practice asking powerful questions to foster insight and growth.

4. Interactive Storytelling

Experience impactful storytelling sessions that demonstrate the power of asking the right questions at the right time.

5. Video-Based Presentations

Watch curated video clips that showcase real-world applications of solution-focused questioning techniques.

Reserve Your Spot Now

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

Transforming Lives

quotes
—Mike
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Jed commands a room. Brings you from tears to laughter on a whimsical sentence of love like a warm safety blanket. He is a porch swing on a calm Sunday morning.
—Colin
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Jed set the tone long before any of us arrived. Despite each of us arriving as strangers, he planted in each of us the trust and the expectation that soon to be dear friends awaited us. Jed invited, and gently nudged, each of us to connect with what makes us most ourselves. Whatever comes next for each of us will be a better, more courageous, more resonant expression of what makes each of us individually and collectively human souls.
—Nicole
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Jed is amazing and so humble and approachable! What an amazing experience he provided and opportunity for all to gather. Wonderful event and wonderful venue!
—Pam
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Warm, friendly, funny, positive. Provided lots of activities. Jed was sensitive to how people were paired up; you didn't have to search for someone to be pair up with.
—Rebecca
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Every moment with Jed was pure magic. His mind and his words are truly transformational.
—Matt
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Excellent program because Jedediah set the tone for an incredible weekend. Not having our phones available was a big part. The writing prompts were so helpful and the people were absolutely amazing. The beautiful space nestled in the mountains made everything come together.
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Presenter

Elliott Connie, MA, LPC

Elliott Connie, MA, LPC, is a globally recognized psychotherapist, author, and speaker specializing in the Solution Focused Approach. As the Founder and Director of The Solution Focused Universe, Elliott leads a thriving online learning community that empowers professionals to master solution-focused techniques and create meaningful change in their clients’ lives.

Elliott is a sought-after speaker, presenting at conferences and events worldwide, including in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, South Africa, Russia, Switzerland, England, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, the Netherlands, Canada, and Asia. His dynamic trainings equip practitioners with effective strategies to enhance their practice, making him a trusted leader in the field of solution-focused therapy. …

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Change Your Questions, Change Your Future

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.
(Program schedule subject to change.)

Check-in Begins
4:00 pm

Dinner
6:00–7:00 pm

Property 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
2:00–4:00 pm

Free Time
4:00–6:00 pm

Dinner
6:00–7:00 pm

day3

Breakfast
7:30–9:30 am

Session 4
9:30–11:30 am

Room Checkout
11:00 am
Luggage may be held at Reception.

Lunch
12:00–1:30 pm

Day 1

Session 1
The Secret of the Breath
7:30–9:30 pm

Day 2
Session 2
Morning Yoga
7:30–8:30 am

Session 3
The Rhythms of Life
10:00 am–1:00 pm

Session 4
Deepening Our Experience
5:15–6:30 pm

Day 3
Session 5
Morning Yoga
7:30–8:30 am
Session 6
New Start: Home Practice
10:00 am–1:00 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

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

UPGRADE OPTIONS

Extend your Stay and Don't Miss a Thing

Add a day to enjoy R&R activities!

Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops

Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments

Nourish Your Body

Take your rejuvenation to another level with a soothing Ayurvedic treatment. 

Call to check availability during Shankara business hours:

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

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

THE ART OF LIVING RETREAT CENTER

Scenic. Serene. Inspiring.

The perfect place to begin your journey to holistic wellness.

Since 2012, the Art of Living Retreat Center has offered wellness retreats featuring meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda. The Center is high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina, surrounded by 380 acres of pristine forest. Beauty, nature, and time-honored architecture create the perfect setting that is authentic, not extravagant.

“You drive up this mountain and it’s instant, total bliss. It’s beautiful. Everything about it is magical.”

—Chelsea H.

1000+ enthusiastic Google reviews

PRICING & ROOMS

All-Inclusive Accommodations

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.)

Private Hotel Room
$885 to $955

Shared Hotel Room (for 2)
$745 to $845

Private Retreat Room
$745 to $846

Shared Retreat Room (for 2)
$665 to $765

Shared Retreat Room (for 3)
$595 to $695

1-Bedroom Apartment
$1,095 to $1,195

1-Bedroom Apartment (w loft)
$1,235 to $1,335

Save $100 by registering 14 days in advance
Private Hotel Room

$1,310

Shared Hotel Room (for 2)

$1,170

Private Retreat Room

$1,170

Shared Retreat Room (for 2)

$1,090

Shared Retreat Room (for 3)

$1,020

TRAVEL INFO

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Art of Living Retreat Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.
  • Fly into Charlotte, NC—Two hours away by drive.
  • Check-in at 4:00 pm first day—eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Leave after lunch the last day—schedule your flight anytime
    after 5:00 pm.

Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service
Book online

hickoryhop.com

High Country Black Car
828.387.1977

High Country Black Car

Oscar’s Car Service
704.965.5800

Edwardo’s Car Service
704.949.6775

Blue Bird Transportation
828.989.7286

Blue Bird of Boone

Uber or Lyft
Book in app on arrival

Service

Phone

Website

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service

Book online

High Country Limo

Oscar’s Car Service

Edwardo’s Car Service

Blue Bird Transportation

Uber or Lyft

Book in app on arrival

Are you ready for a transformational experience?

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

Great experience, great people, great food, great place to unplug from the hustle & bustle of everyday life and relax.

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

We are here to help.

For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:

  • Refunds are available (less a $50/per person processing fee) up to 15 days before your program or stay.
  • Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50/per person processing fee) is available if you give notice between 14 and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following date of issue.
  • No credit or refund is available if you cancel on the arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.

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.

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.

  • It is safe to leave your windows open—and necessary for proper airflow!
  • Nature surrounds our campus, and it’s common to see rabbits, deer, gophers, wild turkeys, and other small animals. Please give them space, and they’ll do the same for you. We’ve never had a safety incident with animals on campus.

You can help!

  • If you come across an animal on campus or a trail, give it space, and please do not attempt to pet or feed it.
  • There’s no need to bring valuables to the retreat center; leaving them at home is best.

Location

639 Whispering Hills Road
Boone, NC 28607
800.392.6870

Discover deep rest and rejuvenation on our tranquil mountaintop campus set amidst 380 acres of pristine forest in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina.  

Photo Gallery

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

 

Private Hotel Room

$390 per person/per night + tax

per person + tax

All options include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)

 

  • King bed or two full beds
  • Flat screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Shared Hotel Room (2 People)​

$283 per person/per night + tax

per person + tax

  • Twin beds
  • Flat screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Private Retreat Room​

$295 per person/per night + tax

per person + tax

  • Twin beds
  • Private Bath
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Shared Retreat Room (2 People)

$241 per person/per night + tax

per person + tax

  • Twin beds
  • Private Bath
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Shared Retreat Room (3 People)

$210 per person/per night + tax

per person + tax

  • Twin beds
  • Private Bath
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment​

per person + tax

  • Fully Furnished 665 sq. ft. apartment
  • (Max: 2 persons)
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & Dryer
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • A Desk, chairs, and nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with Cable
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Refrigerator | Stove Range | Microwave

Note furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment w/ Loft

per person + tax

  • Fully Furnished 995 sq. ft. apartment
  • (Max: 4 persons)
  • 1 king bed and 2 twin beds or 1 Full Bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & Dryer
  • Hair Dryer
  • Iron & Ironing Board
  • A Desk, chairs, and nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with Cable
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Refrigerator | Stove Range | Microwave

Note furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

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.