Art of Living I
Rediscover inner calm through yoga, breathwork, and meditation at the Art of Living Happiness Retreat. Set in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, this sanctuary nurtures your spirit, inspires growth, and rejuvenates body and mind.
HELD TWICE WEEKLY | Wed–Fri and Fri–Sun
Special! Book at least 21 days before program start and save 10%.
Learn Sudarshan Kriya—a powerful, science-backed rhythmic breathing technique that harmonizes the body-mind complex.
Gain the tools to nurture your well-being and enrich your daily life through practices like meditation, yoga, and mindful breathwork.
4:00 pm Check-in
6:00–7:00 Dinner
7:00–7:20 Mandatory AOLRC Orientation
7:30–9:00 Session 1 The Secret of the Breath—Learn controlled breathing techniques, like Sudarshan Kriya, to connect with and control your mind and emotions.
7:30–8:30 am Yoga
8:30–9:30 Breakfast
10:00 am–1:00 pm Session 2 The Rhythms of Life—How living in the present moment and consciously bringing in the breath in a definite, particular rhythm can help us find inner peace.
1:00–1:30 Lunch
1:30–5:00 Free Time
5:00–6:30 Session 3 Deepening Our Experience—Move beyond the breath with mantra-based techniques, energizing pranayamas, and yoga asanas.
6:00–7:30 Dinner
7:30–8:30 Meditative Chant/Kirtan (optional)
7:30–8:30 am Morning Yoga
8:30–9:30 Breakfast
Please checkout before the 10:00 am session; we are happy to store your luggage at the Dining Hall.
10:00 am–1:00 pm Program Session—New Start: Home Practice
1:00 Lunch is included in your stay!
Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am • Lunch 12:00–1:30 pm • Dinner: 6–7:30 pm
Retreat activities include
Meditative Chants • Bonfires • Labyrinth • Nature trails
Extend your retreat to unwind, reflect, and enjoy R&R workshops or Ayurvedic treatments. Arrive early or stay longer and save 20% on R&R rates. Simply select extra days during registration.
Step into a world where mindfulness meets beauty. Our gallery captures the essence of the Art of Living—from serene moments of reflection to vibrant celebrations of life, wellness, and connection.
For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:
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. You may email us at info@artoflivingretreatcenter.org.
Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.
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.
You can help!