Description
The middle age is the age of wisdom. It is a shift — there’s no denying that. And with this shift brings the potential to create a vibrant and happy life, rich with purpose, which is true to who you are at this new stage and beyond.
Perhaps life events have thrown you off course, or you’ve reached this moment without having truly discovered your purpose? If so, this life-affirming workshop is for you!
Divorce, grief, children moving out, a stagnant career, health issues, or other external and internal circumstances can all provide the ideal environment for growth, opportunity and healing.
During this transformative retreat, you will:
- Build strength, energy and stamina through daily yoga classes
- Discover the science of yoga and mindfulness through workshops and discussion
- Connect, in a sacred circle, with others who share the intention of being the best version of themselves
- Gain insight into the meaning of this stage of life, and learn how to harness that meaning for your growth
- Release what is no longer serving you, and set intentions for the future, through guided workshops and ceremonies
- Learn invaluable tools including breathwork, meditation, yoga, and techniques for managing thoughts and emotions about aging
You will take home new healthy habits, actionable tools for embracing this new phase of your life, and steps to move forwards with positive direction; as well as new friends to support you along the way.
Open to women aged 40 and beyond with an interest in yoga and meditation.
Presenters

Sara Cain-da Costa, E-RYT 500
Sara Cain-da Costa is a health coach and the owner of Synergy Yoga Rock Hill, SC. She has been teaching yoga for nearly two decades and is the creator and leader of Synergy’s Life Inspired yoga teacher training. Sara has a dedicated yoga practice founded on a personal understanding of yoga’s power to heal. Building on this, Sara qualified to teach specialty populations and now teaches yoga to veterans, athletes, and those within the mental health community. She has also worked with Fortune 500 corporations, sports teams and children’s education to create yoga programming.
Rooms & Pricing
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.)
Shared Hotel Room (2 People)
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As a precautionary measure, shared housing options are available for friends and family only. If you are coming alone, please book either a Private Hotel or Private Retreat Room.
Shared Retreat Room (2 People)
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The shared retreat room has twin beds, a private bath, and complimentary high-speed WiFi.
As a precautionary measure, shared housing options are available for friends and family only. If you are coming alone, please book either a Private Hotel or Private Retreat Room.
Shared Retreat Room (3 People)
|
As a precautionary measure, shared housing options are available for friends and family only. If you are coming alone, please book either a Private Hotel or Private Retreat Room.
Schedule
10/11-10/14/2019
Friday Night Arrival:
3:00 pm – Check in
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm-7:20 pm – Art of Living Center Mandatory Orientation
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Evening Session with Introductions, Creating Sacred Space, Restorative
Yoga Practice with Yoga Nidra
Saturday:
8:00 am – 9:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am-12:30 pm – Program Session: Heart Opening Vinyasa Yoga practice and Who Are You activity. Discussion: Self-Care Techniques (ideas for breathwork, yoga movements)
12:30 pm-2:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm-3:30 pm – Program session: Releasing the Masks activity
3:30 pm-7:30 pm Free Time*
6:00 pm-7:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm-8:15 pm – Kirtan: Meditative Chant *optional
8:30 pm-9:30 pm – Bonfire (weather permitting) Burning of the Masks
Sunday:
8:00 am – 9:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am-12:30 pm – Program Session: Chakra Balancing Yoga class
Discussion: The Science of Yoga & Mindfulness with Self Guided Exercises
12:30 pm-2:00 pm Lunch
2:00 pm-3:30 pm – Program session: Identifying Your Gifts and Talents and Create a Vision
Statement for Your Life
3:30 pm-7:30 pm Free Time
6:00 pm-7:30 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Evening session: Break Free
Monday Departure day:
8:00 am – 9:00 am – Breakfast
9:00 am -11:00 am – Program Session Yoga Soul Flow, Write Letter to Self, Revisit Intentions
11:00 am – Check-out (luggage may be stored at reception)
12:00 pm – Lunch is included in your stay this day!
Ayurveda Spa Appointments
We invite you to also make reservations at our award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Spa before arrival, in order to ensure availability. Please call (828) 264-8382 for details.
Our Clay Studio is open Thu-Sun; Hand-building classes and Throwing classes are available by appt. Clay pieces can be glazed and shipped back as well. Please contact our front desk to make an appointment.
*If a spa appointment is made during a Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner, guests may request a meal to be boxed for
pickup by asking spa reception.
***Please call the spa in advance to book spa treatments during your free time if you are interested. The
phone number is (828) 264-8382.
Location
639 Whispering Hills Rd, Boone, North Carolina 28607
Discover deep rest and rejuvenation in our tranquil sanctuary set amidst 380 pristine acres high up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina—the perfect place to begin your journey to wellness.
NOTE Avoid using GPS—it will take you up a private road to a locked gate. Please use the directions provided on this site.
Distance from Nearest Airport
Two hours by car without traffic
FAQs
On-Campus Program FAQs
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 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 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.
To encourage a healthy environment we ask that guest to 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.