Art of Living
Meditation & Mindfulness
Self-Discovery
Boost Energy
Calm & Clear Mind
Get HappyCreate Lasting Happiness
In today’s racing world, the mind has a tendency to get stuck either in the past or the future. But happiness is here and now. You miss the present moment when you are distracted, regretting yesterday or worried about tomorrow. Yet with practical, self-empowering tools using the breath, we can successfully counter the increasing demands of contemporary life.
During our signature Happiness Retreat, you will find out how to access the present moment and tap into your inner power and freedom—not just as a concept, but as a direct experience. This is the source of abiding happiness.
- Learn to manage and reduce stress
- Greater sense of happiness and enthusiasm
- Experience relief from symptoms of depression, anxiety, and Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Sleep better, longer
- Less social anxiety
- More ease in interpersonal relations
Who is this program for?
Our Happiness Retreat has something for everyone, whether you’ve never meditated before or have a life-long practice. Our expert guides teach you practical techniques that can benefit all areas of your life. The centerpiece of the Art of Living Happiness Retreat is the Sudarshan Kriya, a powerful breathing technique that uses precise natural rhythms to get you unstuck.
You’ll master valuable tools and practices that bring more resiliency, better communication, and more ease into your life, as well as receive the support you need to continue your journey—access to our meditation app, monthly reconnection live-streams, and membership to our exclusive Facebook group.
Discover the breathwork that has inspired millions in more than 150 countries—SKY Breath Meditation
The foundation of our Happiness Program is a unique breathing meditation technique—Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, or SKY. The evidence-based benefits of SKY cannot be overstated—detoxifying the body, de-stressing, reducing depression and anxiety, improving sleep, bolstering immunity, just to name a few. During the program, you’ll learn this life-transforming breathwork technique— backed by over 100+ independent studies—that you can practice anytime you need it.
SKY Research
Independent research has shown SKY—the key technique of the program—significantly
- Reduces levels of stress
- Supports the immune system
- Relieves anxiety and depression
- Increased levels of antioxidant enzymes which protect us from many diseases and rapid aging [6, 23, 27]
- Improves amount and quality of deep sleep.
Recently, a group of Yale researchers published a study evaluating classroom wellness training programs incorporating breathing and emotional intelligence strategies. In the study, published in the July 15, 2020, Frontiers of Psychiatry, the Art of Living’s SKY Campus Happiness most beneficial, reporting improvements in six areas of well-being: depression, stress, mental health, mindfulness, positive affect, and social connectedness. Read the YaleNews article here.
Features
Schedule
Please note, because we want to ensure you get the full experience, attending all of these sessions is important, so make your travel plans accordingly.
Day 1
Session 1 7:30–9:30 pm The Secret of the Breath
Day 2
Session 2 7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga
Session 3 10:00 am–1:00 pm The Rhythms of Life
Session 4 5:15–6:30 pm Deepening Our Experience
Day 3
Session 5 7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga
Session 6 10:00 am–1:00 pm New Start: Home Practice
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Guided nature walks, Ayurveda cooking demos, pottery classes, and other on-campus activities can be booked at Reception upon arrival.
Mealtimes
7:30–9:30 am Breakfast
12:00–1:30 pm Lunch (included on your departure day)
6:00–7:30 pm Dinner
- Charlotte (CLT) is the closest airport to fly into.
- From CLT to Boone is a 2-hour ride. Book your travel according.
- Check-in is 3:00 pm on the day your program starts; dinner is included on this day.
- Checkout is 10:00 am on the last day of your program; we’re happy to hold your luggage in Registrations. Lunch is included on your final day. Book your return flight anytime from 5:00 pm onward, keeping the commute and course sessions in mind.
Options for Transportation between CLT and AOLRC
| Name | Phone No. | Website |
| Hickory Hop Shuttle Service | 828.327.2340 | hickoryhop.com |
| High Country Limo | 828.898.9595 | highcountrylimo.com |
| High Country Black Car | 828.387.1977 | highcountryblackcarservice.com |
| John Olson’s Car Service | 704.608.8455 | |
| Blue Bird Transporation | 828.989.7286 | Blue Bird of Boone |
| Abby Cab | 828.475.2988 | abbycab.com |
| Uber or Lyft | Book on the app on arrival. |
On-Campus Program FAQs
Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
- 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.
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.
Art of Living Faculty
Art of Living faculty are teachers from all over the world who integrate their passion for teaching with a dedication to service of others. Inspired by their own personal experiences of transformation and joy, our teachers blend ancient, timeless wisdom with contemporary approaches to well-being to bring you a heart-based approach rooted in the authentic, effective techniques of Ayurveda, meditation, and breathwork—the very best of health and wellness.
Rooms & Pricing for On-Campus Events
Private Hotel Room
per person/per night + 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
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
- Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
- Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- Access to Gym & Steam Rooms
Shared Hotel Room (2 People)
per person/per night + tax
- King bed or two full beds
- Flat Screen TV
- Refrigerator
- Private Bath
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
- Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
- Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- Access to Gym & Steam Rooms
Private Retreat Room
per person/per night + tax
- Twin beds
- Private Bath
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
- Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
- Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- Access to Gym & Steam Rooms
Shared Retreat Room (2 People)
per person/per night + tax
- Twin beds
- Private Bath
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
- Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
- Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- Access to Gym & Steam Rooms
Shared Retreat Room (3 People)
per person/per night + tax
- Twin beds
- Private Bath
- Complimentary Wi-fi
- Daily Delicious Vegetarian Meals
- Complimentary Tea/Coffee & Fresh Fruit
- Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- Access to Gym & Steam Rooms
Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment
per person/per night + 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
Premium 1-Bedroom Apartment w/Loft
per person/per night + 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
Reviews
On-Campus Program FAQs
Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
- 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.
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.
A Retreat in the Mountains
Make Your Retreat Extra Special
Testimonials
Location
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.
