Art of Living
Meditation & Mindfulness
Must Be 18+
Self-Discovery
Boost Energy
Calm & Clear Mind
Get HappyThe Happiness Retreat
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.
- 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.
Please note, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.
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 accordingly.
- Check-in is 4:00 pm on the day your program starts; dinner is included on this day.
- The program ends at 1:00 pm on the last day. 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 | MUST BOOK ONLINE | hickoryhop.com |
| High Country Limo | 828.898.9595 | highcountrylimo.com |
| High Country Black Car | 828.387.1977 | highcountryblackcarservice.com |
| Oscar’s Car Service | 704.965.5800 | |
| Edwardo’s Car Service | 704.949.6775 | |
| Blue Bird Transportation | 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
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.
Rooms & Pricing for On-Campus Events
Private Hotel Room
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)
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
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)
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)
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.
Reviews
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 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.
