The Art of Living
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Dynamic Aging: Menopause & Movement

Exercise for Strength, Resilience, and Longevity

Katy Bowman

Move With Change. Build Strength for What’s Next.

All bodies evolve with time—and menopause marks one of the most profound transitions in that journey. As hormones shift in perimenopause and beyond, familiar movements can feel foreign. Joints may feel stiffer, balance less reliable, sleep more elusive, and the exercises that once energized may now leave you depleted. But this change isn’t a signal to retreat. It’s a call to recalibrate. In this empowering weekend with biomechanist and bestselling author Katy Bowman, a global leader in movement science and functional aging, you’ll learn how to move with intention, adapt your strength-building routines, and build a personalized toolkit that supports your bones, joints, and nervous system so movement becomes not just possible, but powerful again.

This retreat is open to women only.

Recommended Listening: Menopause in Motion – Move Your DNA with Katy Bowman.

October 2–4
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Starting at $350 (Tuition) + $616 (Lodging + Meals) plus tax

Reserve Your Spot Now

October 2-4, 2026
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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

Informed Adaptability
Understand how hormonal shifts impact your strength, joints, and recovery—and what your body needs now to thrive.

Sustainable Strength

Build bone-supportive strength with movement designed for longevity—not burnout.

Joint Vitality

Restore mobility and strengthen joints with movements that meet your body where it is—and where it’s headed.

Confident Mobility

Strengthen your foundation with balance-focused practices that improve coordination, reduce fall risk, and build lasting confidence.

Restful Resilience

Experience nervous system support through movement that helps regulate stress, improve sleep, and boost emotional well-being.

Adapted Movement

Modify the way you move—from daily tasks to exercise—to better serve your body’s changing needs.

What to Expect

Move Smarter. Feel Stronger.

Throughout this retreat, you’ll reconnect with your body in ways that feel supportive—not strenuous. You’ll explore movement designed for how your physiology is changing, guided by a biomechanical approach that honors strength, function, and recovery at every age. Sessions blend guided exercises with reflection and real-time feedback, helping you understand your range, improve mobility, and rebuild trust in your body’s capacity. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply feeling the shift of midlife, this weekend will give you tools you can take home—so daily movement becomes more aligned, more resilient, and more you.

1. Biomechanics-Based Movement

Targeted sessions that adapt to aging muscles, joints, and bones.

2. Strength & Movement Planning

Design personalized movement plans that replenish energy and serve long-term wellness.

3. Group Dialogue

Supportive conversations that normalize experience and build community.

4. Self-Inquiry Journaling

Reflective prompts to anchor insights and deepen self-awareness.

5. Nature Walks

Restore vitality and alignment through mindful outdoor walking.

Reserve Your Spot Now

October 2-4, 2026
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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.
(Program schedule subject to change.)

Check-in Begins 4:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:00 pm

Property Orientation 7:00–7:20 pm

Session 1 7:30–9:00 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:30 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 6:00–7:00 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am

Session 4 9:30–11:30 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: 12:00–1:30 pm • Dinner: 6:00–7:30 pm

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

Katy is wonderful! Her sharp, intellectual humor and attention to detail in her presentations make her a true standout. I can't recommend her enough—she's a delight!

—Katherine D. (Past Participant)

Katy is very down to earth. She made everyone feel comfortable and she was genuinely interested in everyone’s progress. Love the energy, and she was very knowledgeable and engaging.

—Cheryl S. (Past Participant)

Katy was attentive to everyone’s questions and individual needs. She has a great sense of humor, and her instructions were easy to follow. I think the session length was perfect and the starting and end times gave enough time to digest food before we had to participate in a lot of movement!

—Margret P. (Past Participant)

Katy Bowman is a fabulous teacher! She is a genius with body mechanics and is excellent at communicating details in a clear manner that we can understand, with adjustments for each person’s limitations. Plus she’s fun!

—Linda S. (Past Participant)

Katy Bowman is a walking wealth of knowledge who explains things very clearly and focuses on participants learning through doing. It was a wonderful program!

—Peter P. (Past Participant)

Katy Bowman is always a delight. She is so knowledgeable, grounded, practical and funny. I learned so much to help maintain strength, balance and mobility.

—Elizabeth H. (Past Participant)

Meet the Presenter

Katy Bowman

Bestselling author, speaker, and a leader in the Movement movement, biomechanist Katy Bowman is changing the way we move and think about our need for movement. Her nine books, including the groundbreaking Move Your DNA and Movement Matters, have been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide.

Learn More
Katy Bowman

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@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.

  • 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

October 2-4, 2026
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.