After months of winter’s introspection, spring invites us to emerge with renewed vitality, shedding old patterns and embracing the wisdom gained in the stillness. The Dharma of Spring Awakening with Lama Rod Owens offers a powerful, transformative experience to guide you through this shift. Through embodied practices, meditation, and engaging discussions, you’ll connect deeply with your authentic self, cultivate compassion, and emerge with a newfound sense of aliveness. Let go of what no longer serves you and step into a season of liberation, vitality, and inner freedom. This retreat will help you move through the challenges of past seasons and embrace the beauty of your personal renewal.
Starting at $330 (Tuition) + $616 (Lodging + Meals) plus tax
SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.
Renewed Vitality
Awaken to the aliveness spring symbolizes, embracing the present moment and your authentic self.
Inner Peace
Cultivate tranquility and self-awareness through embodied practices, experiencing true peace and harmony.
Personal Freedom
Move through emotional blockages and unprocessed pain into liberation.
Self-Compassion
Engage in love and compassion practices that nurture your heart and mind.
Community Connection
Foster meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, sharing and growing together in community.
Spiritual Tools
Engage with ancestral rituals and earth-based practices that deepen your connection to your lineage and the earth.
Throughout this retreat, you’ll be immersed in practices that foster deep inner growth and transformation. Lama Rod will lead you through a blend of healing rituals, reflective group conversations, and personal explorations that bring clarity and release. You’ll engage in mindful movement, grounding nature walks, and heart-opening exercises that help you reconnect with your body and spirit. By the end of the weekend, you’ll walk away with new insights, renewed energy, and practical tools to continue embracing your authentic path with confidence and ease.
Experience guided meditations and mindfulness practices to calm the mind and center the body.
Participate in transformative conversations that invite deep self-inquiry and collective healing.
Explore spiritual practices designed to bring deep healing and personal freedom.
Engage in grounding rituals that bring you closer to the earth and the cycles of nature.
Honor your lineage and connect with ancestral wisdom through divine guidance and reflection.
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
Dinner 6:00–7:00 pm
Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am
Session 4 9:00–11:30 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
Lama Rod Owens is a prominent Black Buddhist teacher and thought leader, known for his unique approach to blending personal identity with spiritual practice. Holding a Master of Divinity in Buddhist Studies from Harvard Divinity School, he is the author of The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors and Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation through Anger, and co-author of Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation. His teachings focus on freedom, self-expression, and radical self-care.
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.)
Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.
Ideal for friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.
Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.
Note Room may contain extra single beds.
Fully furnished 665 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 2 persons)
Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.
Fully furnished 995 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)
Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.
Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops
Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments
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.
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!
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.
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.
SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.
