The Yoga Retreat for Women of Color

Spirit, Soul and Energy

MAYA BREUER &
KIESHA BATTLES

Tuition

$350 per person—plus room/meals & tax

FEATURED GUEST PRESENTER

The Yoga Retreat for Women of Color

Spirit, Soul and Energy

MAYA BREUER &
KIESHA BATTLES

Discover healing, sisterhood, and new perspectives.

APRIL 25–27, 2025

A Structured
3-Day/2-Night Retreat
Energy Work
For Women Only
Spiritual
Yoga
Boost Energy
Relieve Stress
Self-Care

Embrace the Power of Sisterhood

Step into a transformative weekend designed to nurture your mind, body, and soul. The Yoga Retreat for Women of Color®, led by the visionary Maya Breuer and the inspiring Kiesha Battles, offers a sacred space for healing, self-discovery, and connection. Through the power of yoga, mindfulness, and storytelling, you will reconnect with your inner self, experience deep rejuvenation, and foster meaningful bonds with a community of like-minded women. Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, this retreat will leave you feeling balanced, empowered, and inspired to live your fullest life.

What defines a Woman of Color? Who can participate?
Alaska Native, American Indian, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latina, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders are all considered women/people of color.

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

Enhanced Yoga Practice

Grow or begin your yoga journey in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Emotional & Physical Healing

Experience transformative healing through mindful practices and sacred rituals.

Greater Calm

Achieve a calm mind and deeper self-connection through transformative meditation techniques.

Expanded Perspective

Broaden your worldview and gain fresh insights through ancestral storytelling and shared wisdom.

Personal Growth Icon

Renewed Spirit

Leave feeling empowered, with a deep sense of peace, purpose, and renewal.

Meaningful Connections

Build deep, lasting bonds with a supportive sisterhood of women of color.

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 reconnect with your spirit and embrace the power of sisterhood?

WHAT TO EXPECT

Rejuvenate in a Sacred Space of Sisterhood

At this retreat, you will experience a deep sense of connection, healing, and renewal. Surrounded by the positive energy of fellow women of color, you will explore yoga, meditation, and mindful movement to awaken your spirit and soothe your body. Through sacred storytelling and shared wisdom, you’ll reflect on your journey, uncover new perspectives, and embrace a sense of harmony and peace. This retreat is not just a getaway—it’s a powerful experience of community, self-love, and inner transformation.

1. Yoga

Experience restorative and empowering yoga sessions designed to nurture your body and connect you with your breath and spirit.

2. Guided Meditation

Find peace and clarity through guided meditation, calming your mind and deepening your connection with your inner self.

3. Ancient Mindfulness Exploration

Delve into timeless wisdom that fosters personal growth, self-compassion, and deeper self-understanding.

4. Creative Exercises

Engage your imagination and unlock your creative potential with activities that encourage self-expression and exploration.

5. Rituals

Participate in meaningful rituals that honor your personal journey and connect you with ancestral wisdom.

Reserve Your Spot Now

quotes

Transforming Lives

—Melissa M.
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Maya, Kiesha and Cassandra were fantastic facilitators. They were informative, gracious, and modeled all the values of yoga and slowing down. They created a warm and inviting welcoming space. I am so deeply appreciative.
—Rhonda J.
Read More
Program and presenters were amazing. This was a very needed respite from the world. The energy and the vibes were incredible. It felt like home and a safe space. A lot of great material as well as the opportunity to learn from other attendees.
—Ona H.
Read More
In a circle of warrior women—healers, teachers, mothers, daughters—I find breath, reflection, and self-love. Here, I transform, becoming the butterfly, the blossom, and the wave. Thank you, Maya Breuer and Kiesha Battles, for this life-giving opportunity to return to myself.
—Kiesha
Read More
The sounds of a group of women of color laughing, singing, crying, praying, dancing, connects me to the past, present, and future. The stories shared among us are pure food for the soul. It brings a feeling of connection to history and to the present conditions of our communities. I feel divine, capable, and ready to return home to live the best life for me, my family, and my community.
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Presenter

Maya Breuer Headshot Bio 500x500

Maya Breuer

Maya Breuer is Head of Research and Yoga Advancement for Yoga Alliance, where she is developing the Yoga Alliance Think Tank and offering a monthly International Gathering Sangha. …

Kiesha Battles Headshot Bio 500x500

Kiesha Battles

Kiesha Battles, E-RYT 500, creates, teaches, and leads yoga programs and retreats. She is co-director of the Yoga Retreat for Women of Color and owner the IAMYOGA studio and yoga school. …

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

The Yoga Retreat for Women of Color®

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 and enjoy moments of reflection and relaxation.
(Program schedule subject to change.)

4:00 pm
Check-in Begins

6:00–7:30 pm
Light Dinner

7:00–7:20 pm
Guest Orientation

7:30–8:00 pm
Gather in program space

8:00–9:30 pm
Session 1

7:30–9:30 am
Breakfast

9:30 am–12:30 pm
Session 2

12:00–1:30 pm
Lunch

2:00–4:00 pm
Session 3

4:00–6:00 pm
Free Time

6:00–7:30 pm
Dinner

7:30–9:30 am
Breakfast

9:30 am–12:00 pm
Session 4

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

12:00–1:30 pm
Lunch

Optional Activities
Yoga • Meditation • Kirtan • Bonfire • Labyrinth • Nature Trails

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.
Chelsea Testimonial

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

—Chelsea H.
Google Reviews Icon

1000+ enthusiastic Google reviews

NBC News, CNN, The Washington Post, HuffPost, and Yoga Journal logos

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
$390 per person/per night + tax
Shared Hotel Room (for 2)
$283 per person/per night + tax
Private Retreat Room
$295 per person/per night + tax
Shared Retreat Room (for 2)
$241 per person/per night + tax
Shared Retreat Room (for 3)
$210 per person/per night + tax
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.