The Art of Living
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Hip Hop Soundbath

Music + Meditation + Healing

Born I (Ofosu Jones-Quartey)

Come Back to Yourself

When life gets loud, it can become difficult to hear what you actually need. In this immersive retreat with hip-hop artist, author, and meditation teacher Born I, live music, guided meditation, singing bowls, and mindful listening come together to create space for rest, reflection, and reconnection. Rooted in mindfulness and self-compassion, Hip Hop Soundbath invites you to slow down, soften the pressure to be anything other than who you are, and experience the freedom of meeting yourself more fully in the present moment.

Recommended (but not required) Listening and Reading Komorebi and Lyrical Dharma: Hip-Hop as Mindfulness by Born I.

July 9–11
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Starting at $375 (Tuition) + $642 (Lodging + Meals) plus tax

Reserve Your Spot Now

July 9-11, 2027
REGISTER NOW

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

Retreat Benefits

Inner Peace

Settle mental and emotional noise through music, meditation, and mindful listening, creating more space for calm, presence, and ease.

Self-Compassion

Learn to meet yourself with greater kindness and understanding, especially in the moments when life feels difficult or uncertain.

Deeper Connection

Reconnect with your inner experience while strengthening your sense of connection to others through shared presence, sound, and reflection.

Emotional Release

Create room to acknowledge and move through difficult emotions without judgment, using awareness, breath, music, and compassion as support.

Creative Freedom

Experience how rhythm, sound, and expression can loosen internal constraints and invite more playfulness, inspiration, and openness.

Present Awareness

Strengthen your ability to notice what is happening now rather than becoming consumed by what has already happened or what might come next.

What to Expect

Feel More at Home Within Yourself

Throughout the retreat, you’ll experience what can shift when you stop trying to fix yourself and instead begin relating to your inner world with greater awareness and care. Sound, silence, rhythm, breath, and reflection become different doorways into the same place: a more compassionate relationship with who you are. As the experience unfolds, you may notice greater ease around difficult emotions, more openness to creativity and joy, and a deeper sense of connection to yourself and the people around you. You’ll leave with simple practices for mindful listening, breathing, meditation, and self-compassion that can continue supporting you long after the final note fades.

1. Guided Meditation

Settle into mindfulness practices designed to cultivate presence, awareness, inner calm, and a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

2. Hip-Hop Soundbath

Experience original live hip-hop woven with meditation and resonant sound to create an immersive space for reflection, connection, and release.

3. Self-Compassion Practice

Explore gentle ways of meeting difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences with greater kindness, acceptance, and understanding.

4. Singing Bowl Immersion

Rest into layered tones and vibrations that encourage deep listening, relaxation, contemplation, and greater awareness of the present moment.

5. Mindful Listening

Discover how music and sound can become contemplative practices that deepen attention, emotional awareness, and everyday presence.

6. Reflective Dialogue

Explore the relationship between music, mindfulness, creativity, and daily life through thoughtful conversation, personal reflection, and shared experience.

Disclaimer: Information shared during this retreat is offered for educational purposes only. The views, opinions, teachings, recommendations, and methodologies expressed by guest presenters are solely their own, do not constitute medical advice, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Art of Living Retreat Center. Please consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding medical concerns or before making changes to your health routine.

Reserve Your Spot Now

July 9-11, 2027
REGISTER NOW

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

Program Schedule

This experiential retreat offers a well-balanced schedule that combines structured educational sessions with flexible time blocks–ensuring you have ample opportunity to engage in learning while also allowing personal time to explore the retreat center, participate in activities, and enjoy moments of reflection and relaxation.

Check-in Begins 4:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:00 pm

Orientation 7:00–7:20 pm

Session 1 7:30–9:00 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:15 am

Session 2 9:30 am–12:30 pm

Lunch 12:30–1:30 pm

Session 3 2:00–4:00 pm

Free Time 4:00–6:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:30 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:15 am

Session 4 9:30 am–11:30 am

Room Checkout 11:00 am; luggage may be held at Reception.

Lunch 12:00–1:30 pm

Breakfast  7:30–9:30 am • Lunch: 12:30–1:30 pm • Dinner: 6:00–7:30 pm

Optional activities include
Yoga • Meditation • Kirtan • Bonfire • Labyrinth • Nature Trails

I really enjoyed the musical experience. The singing bowls, rapping, all created an amazing experience.

—Anonymous (Past Participant)

The music and vocals, combined with Ofosu’s relationship with the Dharma, created an experience that felt warm, inviting, and deeply meaningful.

—Anonymous (Past Participant)

Beautiful setting and an amazing teacher who shared music, sound bath, and silent meditation in such a meaningful way.

—Anonymous (Past Participant)

The sound bath and music were magical. Ofosu's music is beyond words. A true poet.

—Anonymous (Past Participant)

Meet the Presenter

Born I

Born I (Ofosu Jones-Quartey) is a Washington, DC–based hip-hop artist, author, and certified meditation teacher whose work brings together music, mindfulness, and self-compassion. For more than two decades, he has helped people use contemplative practice to cultivate greater awareness, connection, and a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

Learn More
Born I

Our Accommodations

Prices include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)

Private Hotel Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • King bed or two queen beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Shared Hotel Room (2 People)

Ideal for friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • 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

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.

  • Twin beds
  • Private bath
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Note Room may contain extra single beds.

 

Premium 1Bedroom Apartment

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 a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

 

Premium 1Bedroom Apartment with Loft

Fully furnished 995 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)

  • 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds or 1 full bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

 

Upgrade Options

Extend your Stay and Don’t Miss a Thing

Add a day and enjoy R&R activities!

Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops

Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments

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Nourish Your Body

Take your rejuvenation to another level. Our spa offers treatments and therapies that integrate ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness.

Call to check availability during Shankara Ayurveda Spa business hours; seven days a week, 9:00 am–6:00 pm.

Learn More

Have questions?

We’re here to help.

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. You may email us at info@theartoflivingretreatcenter.kinsta.cloud.

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.

  • 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.

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Art of Living Retreat Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.
  • Fly into Charlotte, NC—Two hours away by drive.
  • Check-in at 4:00 pm first day—eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Leave after lunch the last day—schedule your flight anytime
    after 5:00 pm.

Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service  Book online  hickoryhop.com  The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations are required, so book ahead online and be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.

High Country Limo  828.898.9595   highcountrylimo.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 in app on arrival.

Other airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center include

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)

Visit our directions page for more information.

Reserve Your Spot Now

July 9-11, 2027
REGISTER NOW

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.