Getting the Love You Want

Becoming the Most Connected Couple You Know

MAR 26–28 & SEP 10–12, 2021

Harville Hendrix, Ph.D, and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D

Tuition

$410

Add 2 nights of lodging and meals.

Reviews

 4.9/5

Harville Hendrix, Ph.D, and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D

MAR 26–28 & SEP 10–12, 2021

Tuition:

$410

Add 2 nights of lodging and meals.

MAR 26–28 & SEP 10–12, 2021

Retreat Type

Family & Relationships

Featured Presenters

Self-Discovery

Retreat Goals

Better Relationships

Personal Development

Play

Restore Passion and Hope

Are you ready to deepen the connection you experience within your intimate relationship? Do you feel that there is more to love—and you want to reach the next level?

Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt are bestselling authors who have developed a transformative method for supporting couples, called Imago Relationship Therapy. They will guide you and your partner towards a truly fulfilling partnership—restoring passion and hope so that you can feel connected.

We are born in relationship, we are wounded in relationship, and we can be healed in relationship.
– Harville Hendrix

Through a range of techniques included within the Imago method, including witness demonstrations; lectures, and one-on-one practice:

In this workshop, you will

Develop effective and loving communication skills
Uncover the source of frustrations within your relationship
Learn a step-by-step process for transforming conflict into connection
Experience true safety with your partner, and feel genuinely appreciated
Discover the potential of your relationship as a vessel for passion, healing, and spiritual growth.

You will both take home the skills to nurture and improve your relationship on a daily basis — so that your love can be liberating and free from conflict.

This workshop is for couples to attend together.

Features

Communicate clearly and effectively

Instead of treating our partner as we would like to be treated, we need to treat them as they want to be treated.

This is harder than it seems, for at least three reasons. One, we are all pretty self-centered, far more in touch with our own desires than with those of our partner. Two, most of us think other people’s desires are similar, if not identical, to ours (and if they are not, they should be!). Three, we operate out of the erroneous belief that our partner should know exactly what it is that you want.

Reconnect with Your Partner

Discover the potential of your relationship as a vessel for passion, healing, and spiritual growth.

Just because you or your partner asked for a behavior does not mean you have to do it. Some might require a little stretching (good) but other requests might be too challenging (do not do.) But consider all requests and revisit them every so often. You might find what you cannot give now, you can give later as your relationship begins to reap the rewards of unconditional giving and receiving.

Create A Shared Vision

When you and your partner have a shared vision it synthesizes separate dreams, desires, values, and needs.

Working together intentionally on a relationship vision turns your energy away from past and present disappointments toward a more hopeful future, the future you want to create This joint creation becomes your conscious dream and your new reality. You may not be able to have the relationship of your private dreams, but you can co-create a new ideal relationship.

Increase Emotional Safety

Experience a level of emotional safety with each other and open your hearts to a deeper experience of love.

Touch your partners heart and give in ways to help them feel good. Identify behaviors that you currently receive from your partner (current behaviors), behaviors you received in your earlier romantic days together (past behaviors), and behaviors that your partner does not do but, if they did, would make you feel loved or cared about (future behaviors.)

Become conscious partners

Learn how to talk with your partner so that your conversations will be safe rather than negative.

Imago Dialog uses three basic techniques – mirroring, validating, and empathizing – to fortify the connection between partners. Check to make sure you understand what your partner is saying (mirroring), indicate that what your partner says makes sense, even if you don’t agree (validating) and recognize the partner’s feelings when s/he tells a story or expresses an opinion (empathizing).

Replace all your monologues with dialogue and practice having “safe conversations” until you are perfect. Dialogue will not only improve the way you communicate with your partner, it will improve the relations with your children, and with everyone you come in contact with. Practice dialogue until it becomes a habit and a way of life, until you become dialogical.

Learn to Give and Receive

Offer gifts with no strings attached. The unconscious receives only unconditional gifts.

Give and receive unconditionally. A tit-for-tat mentality does not sit well with the old brain. Gifts are unconditional. It interprets such behaviors as, “Look out! Price tag attached. There is no reason to feel good about this gift, because I’ll have to pay for it later.” We need to give unconditionally.

A Retreat in the Mountains

During your stay, you have time for personal R & R also. Whether you want to explore forest trails and bask in the fresh mountain air, enjoy a pottery or watercolor painting class, release stress with a therapeutic spa treatment, the choice is yours. (Additional fees may apply.)

Make Your Retreat Extra Special

Combine your retreat with authentic Ayurveda for rejuvenation on all levels, body, mind and spirit. The recommended Ayurveda treatment for this retreat is an Abhyanga massage (“Abby” for short), followed by a relaxing steam to further release stress. Pre-requisite: 18 years of age or older

Presenter

Harville Hendrix Ph.D. and Helen LaKelly Hunt Ph.D. are internationally-respected couple’s therapists, educators, speakers, and New York Times bestselling authors. Together, they have written over 10 books with more than 4 million copies sold, including the timeless classic, Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples. In addition, Harville has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey television program 17 times!

However, marriage—even for marriage experts—is never easy. Just like any other couple, Harville and Helen experienced a power struggle where they attempted to change, coerce, and threaten each other to be “more like me.” A critical comment would degenerate into loud arguments. Blaming each other was a common focus of conversation.

Harville and Helen co-created Imago Relationship Therapy to promote the transformation of couples and families by a creating relational culture that support universal equality. In addition, they’ve developed resources that help couples, families, and educators strengthen their relationship knowledge and skills. They are the co-founders of Imago Relationships International, a non-profit organization that has trained over 2,000 therapists and educators in 51 countries around the world.

Reviews

It was really a lot of fun and yet challenging. Harville and Helen are wonderful and very helpful. Great location. Healthy food at all meals, lots of activities, and friendly staff.

Harville and Helen are spectacular. I will never forget them. The program is amazing, interesting, and fun. I have high hopes that it will help us. The Art of Living Retreat Center is lovely with dramatic views, good food, and a nice room.

I appreciated how much we did hands-on activities to practice the tools and techniques we were taught. The campus has beautiful views overlooking nature.

Very informative program, a difficult topic delivered in a compassionate way. Very affirming.

We truly enjoyed the ease and flow between Harville and Helen. Living love and authenticity by example as they teach. The entire Art of Living Retreat Center's campus is beautiful.

Harville and Helend were wonderful, charismatic, and authentic. It did not feel rehearsed, but heartfelt. We loved the group feedback because it brings more levels of aliveness and relatability to this whole conversation.

One of the most valuable things we've done as a couple. The Art of Living Retreat Center is such a beautiful setting. Excellent Vegetarian food, wonderful meeting spaces, good vibe.

I enjoyed learning that with good structure in place, our difficult or scary conversations wont be so difficult or scary.

Harville and Helen have created a theory no less important or fundamental then any of Einstein’s. Quite literally the impossible happened within 36 hours – I met the woman I’ve been living with for 13 years for the very first time.

After 18 years of marriage my husband and I are rediscovering each other’s mysteries. I feel exhilarated and excited about our future together.

I went into this thinking I was imperfectly perfect and it was really my partner who was imperfect. My goodness was I wrong! WE are a perfectly imperfect person and now I get to see my husband for the wonderful person that everyone else sees him for. I love him!

Harville & Helen you are amazing people! Thank you for sharing your story and helping change the world through relationships.

Our marriage was on the rocks, started talking about the D word (divorce). Then we went to your retreat. Since then we have used the Imago Dialogue and are deeper in love then we could have ever imagined.

I have attended dozens of meetings, conferences and workshop for 40 years of my professional life. Imago workshops are the best vehicle for personal and professional growth I have been able to participate in for all this time.

Rooms & Pricing

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

Private Hotel Room

$319/Night/Per Person

King bed or two full beds
Flat Screen TV
Refrigerator
Private Bath
Complimentary WIFI

Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
Access to Gym & Steam Rooms

Shared Hotel Room (2 People)

$246/Night/Per Person

King bed or two full beds
Flat Screen TV
Refrigerator
Private Bath
Complimentary WIFI

Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
Access to Gym & Steam Rooms

One other person of the same gender will share the room with you**

Private Retreat Room

$233/Night/Per Person

Twin beds
Private Bath
Complimentary WIFI

Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
Access to Gym & Steam Rooms

Shared Retreat Room (2 People)

$190/Night/Per Person

Twin beds
Private Bath
Complimentary WIFI

Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
Access to Gym & Steam Rooms

One other person of the same gender will share the room with you**

Shared Retreat Room (3 People)

$165/Night/Per Person

Twin beds
Private Bath
Complimentary WIFI

Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
Access to Gym & Steam Rooms

Up to two more people of the same gender will share the room with you**

Schedule

GETTING THE LOVE YOU WANT
Becoming the Most Connected Couple You Know
March 26–28, 2021 & September 10–12, 2021

Subject to change.

Friday 7:30–9:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am–12:00 pm and 2:00–5:00 pm; 7:30–9:00 pm
Sunday 9:00–12:00 pm Room checkout is 11:00 am; luggage may be held at Reception.

General Information

Arrival Day
4:00 pm Check-in begins; Rooms are ready by 4:00 pm, but if you arrive early we will hold your luggage at Reception.
6:00–7:00 pm Dinner
7:00–7:20 pm Guest Orientation Session (Venue: Dining Hall)

Mealtimes
7:30–9:30 am Breakfast
12:00–2:00 pm Lunch (included on your departure day)
6:00–7:30 pm Dinner

Optional Activities

Apart from the activities in your program schedule, we offer the following optional complementary activities. (Please join only if your program schedule permits.)

7:30–8:30 am
Hatha Yoga Class | Gita Hall; during program dates only.

9:45–10:45 am and 4:15–5:15 pm
Hatha Yoga Class | Sattva Studio

11:00 am–12:00 pm
Mind and Meditation Session | Sattva Studio

1:30–2:00 pm
Yoga Nidra | Sattva Studio; Saturdays and Sundays only.

2:00–3:15 pm
Property Tour | Starts at Reception; Saturdays only.

1:30–2:30 pm and 3:00–4:00 pm
Guided Nature Walk | Starts at Reception; Saturdays only.

5:30–6:00 pm
Guided Meditation Session | Sattva Studio

7:30–8:15 pm
Meditative Chant/Kirtan | Gita Hall

8:30–10:00 pm
Bonfire | Below Veda 2 Weather permitting; Saturdays only.

Optional Activities with Additional Fees

To ensure a space, please register for these activities by calling 800-392-6870 prior to your arrival.

Mindful Painting (1 hour) $25 Sunday Only
Express your creativity through art therapy as you connect your emotions to the art of watercolor painting.

Ayurveda Cooking Class $25 (1 hour) Thursday and Saturday Only
Learn how to best nourish your specific body type and thrive in every season.

Pottery Class $30 (1 hour) Thursday to Sunday
Explore your creativity. Get hands-on experience in throwing on the wheel, hand-building and decorating handmade pots.

Ayurveda Spa Appointments (Additional Cost)

Hours: 9:00 am–6:30 pm daily
We invite you to also make reservations at our award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Spa prior to arrival in order to ensure availability. Please call 828-264-8382 for details.

Actual schedules and venues may vary; please confirm with Front Desk upon check-in.

FAQs

What is your cancellation policy?

For room reservations and wellness retreats, we have a 24-hour cancellation policy. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.

Retreat Cancellation Policy

Refunds are available (less a $50 processing fee) up to eight days before your program or stay.

Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50 processing fee) is available if you give notice between seven and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following the 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.

If a participant attends no sessions of the course, the course registration and full course fee can be transferred to another course of the same course type within 60 days after the end of the course originally registered for. If a participant is unable to finish the course they can take another course of the same course type for no additional fee.

I understand that your property is meat-free, alcohol-free and smoke-free, can you please elaborate?

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.

I have food allergies, can I still eat there?

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.

Testimonials

Location

639 Whispering Hills Rd, Boone, North Carolina 28607

Discover deep rest and rejuvenation in a pristine natural setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina. Set amidst 380 acres of pristine forest high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a tranquil sanctuary.