The Happiness Retreat

Weekly

BOONE, NC

From

$495

Weekday programs start at $495 & weekend programs at $595, including lodging, meals, and tuition

Retreat Type

Art of Living

Meditation & Mindfulness

Self-Discovery

Retreat Goals

Boost Energy

Calm & Clear Mind

Get Happy

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Create 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.

Reduced stress
Greater sense of happiness and enthusiasm
Less social anxiety
More ease in interpersonal relations

In the Happiness Retreat, you will learn to master practical techniques that can benefit you for the rest 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 will also learn a form of this practice that you can continue at home for further growth.

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

Research

Independent research has shown Sudarshan Kriya, 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]

Read Additional Peer-Reviewed Results and References

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Features

Relieve Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

Proven techniques to significantly increase well-being mentally and physically, including Sudarshan Kriya Yoga—a powerful breathing practice.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that SKY provides a comprehensive range of significant benefits. Not only does it help with relaxation, but SKY practice settles the mind directly to the deepest state of pure awareness. You’ll experience immediate, positive shifts in your energy, clarity, and state of mind.

Resilience and Emotional Regulation

Practical ancient wisdom for dealing with conflict and triumphing over life's hurdles.

The mind is often focused on the past or future with unproductive, repetitive thoughts, worries, and regrets that make you less aware, less authentic, and less connected with others. With mindfulness practice, you’ll gain greater awareness allowing you to consciously reframe negative thinking to more positive perspectives—learning to let go and live with more joy in life.

Increased Energy and Mental Focus

Yoga and meditation to open the heart, strengthen the body, clear the mind, and lift the spirit.

Practicing the physical postures of yoga can improve strength, flexibility, and circulation, while meditation keeps the mind sharp, relieves stress, and may even strengthen your immune system. Essentially, every body part is revitalized and nurtured providing you with more energy and mental clarity.

Improved Sleep Quality

Mindful meditations, yoga, and breathing practices to help you rest, relax, and get a good night’s sleep.

Some of the most beneficial aspects of yoga are the minute changes that come about as you stretch into a pose and come back to your body at the end of a busy day. As a matter of face, a national survey by Harvard Medical School showed that over 55% of the people who did yoga found it helped them get better sleep. Meditation allows you to let go of your day and rest your mind, easing into restfulness.

Better Connections

Tools and practices to help you connect more deeply and easily with others, so you can enjoy happier relationships with old friends and new.

When you’re less stressed and happier, you more easily notice and appreciate the good in life and in others. When we slow down and tune into our bodies and minds, we become more self-aware. This kind of understanding of ourselves helps us step back and evaluate our reactions and their impacts. You’ll also benefit from the teachings of love, gratitude, and kindness that remind you to appreciate more deeply and live mindfully.

Support Immune System

Ayurveda treatments, breathing practices, and nourishing food to help support your body’s natural rhythms.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, a healthy immune system is represented by physical, mental, and spiritual resilience—a balance of three subtle energies of prana, tejas, and soma. When we are missing social support, dealing with chronic stress, spending time inside away from nature, over-stimulated with media, and carrying negative thoughts and feelings, we open up ourselves to physical and mental illness. Ayurveda has been naturally supporting immune health for thousands of years—treating the body and mind with balanced nutrition, exercise, yoga, meditation, herbal and mineral support, and the creation of balance at mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.

Presenters

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

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

$685 (Wed-Fri) / $785 (Fri-Sun)

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)

$575 (Wed-Fri) / $675 (Fri-Sun)

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

$615 (Wed-Fri) / $715 (Fri-Sun)

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)

$535 (Wed-Fri) / $635 (Fri-Sun)

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)

$495 (Wed-Fri) / $595 (Fri-Sun)

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**

Reviews

"Amazing retreat where you can live with nature and within yourself with tranquility and peace and good, nourishing, organic food."

"Superb. It was everything I had hoped for and so much more. Stunning views. immaculate, excellent food. Wonderful people."

"Wonderful experience. Yoga and meditation classes were great—I feel so good. The food was absolutely outstanding!"

"Great knowledge, food and people. Amazing place/location, food was great and the general kindness/ energy is wonderful. I’ll be back."

"The meals are DELICIOUS. the landscape is STUNNING. The workshops are very high-quality. I cannot say more than: What are you waiting for??? Go! It is true bliss. A sanctuary."

"Beautiful grounds with wonderful, genuinely loving instructors. This was a life changing experience!"

"There is happiness on this place. Whenever I am here I am happy for no reason. Just love coming here again and again."

"An eye opening experience—very unique. Faculty kept us engaged and answered patiently. Location brings about a stillness & calm. Center is simple & utilitarian, deepening the experience."

"The experience has changed my life, the Art of Living instructor is amazing. The center is exactly what you need to center yourself."

"We came out of the course with so much knowledge and great tools to take into everyday life."

"The breathing practice and meditation are wonderfully restorative. The Art of Living instructor was delightful and very knowledgeable. The views and natural environment are naturally relaxing. They alone made the visit worthwhile."

"Exactly what I was looking for and needed. Beautiful calm unique with a very talented staff. I loved my stay! "

"It's a mind-blowing place. The location is very accessible, beautiful, serene and calm. Food served is simply delicious."

"The Art of Living instructor was absolutely fantastic. The conversations and practices were healing. Beautiful space, leaves you ready to take on the world."

FAQs

What is your cancellation policy?

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

Happiness 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 s/he 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 guest to not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces, however guests may enjoy these items in their rooms. That being said 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

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Schedule

Day 1
Session 1 7:30–9:45 pm The Secret of the Breath

Day 2
Session 2  7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga
Session 3  9:30 am–12:30 pm The Rhythms of Life
Session 4  5:15–6:15 pm Deepening Our Experience

Day 3
Session 5 7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga
Session 6 9:30 am–1:00 pm New Start: Home Practice

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

Guided Hiking (1 hr) Saturdays Only

Mindful Painting (1 hr, additional cost) $25 Sundays only
Express your creativity through art therapy as you connect your emotions to the art of watercolor painting.

Ayurveda Cooking Class $25 (1 hr, additional cost) Thursday & Saturday only
Learn how to best nourish your specific body type and thrive in every season.

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

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

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.