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Healing the Younger You and Beyond

Finding Peace for Your Past and Hope for Your Future

Nate Postlethwait

If you’ve spent years wondering why certain reactions, relationships, or patterns still follow you, this retreat offers a compassionate way to make sense of what your younger self endured without defining yourself by it. Drawing from Nate Postlethwait’s lived experience and inner child work, you’ll explore how childhood trauma shaped the ways you learned to cope, protect, and belong while reconnecting with the parts of you that still need understanding, a voice, and care. You’ll leave with deeper validation for your experience, a more trusting relationship with yourself, and practical ways to move forward with clarity, steadiness, and hope.

February 12–14
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Starting at $450 (Tuition) + $486 (Lodging + Meals) plus tax

Reserve Your Spot Now

February 12-14, 2027
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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

Trauma Clarity

Understand how childhood experiences shaped your coping patterns and responses, replacing confusion with greater context and self-understanding.

Self-Love

Meet shame with compassion and begin relating to yourself with the care, acceptance, and kindness you have long deserved.

Inner Calm

Develop ways to meet anxiety and emotional activation with more awareness, steadiness, and space.

Full Presence

Honor your needs, voice, and right to take up space without shrinking yourself to keep others comfortable.

Safe Boundaries

Define limits that protect your wellbeing while supporting healthier, more sustainable relationships with yourself and others.

Shared Belonging

Experience the relief of connecting with people who understand the realities and complexities of trauma recovery.

What to Expect

Feel Safer Fully Being Yourself

Within a gently held space with clearly defined boundaries, old shame can begin to loosen and the instinct to minimize yourself can give way to self-respect. Surrounded by people who recognize the complexity of recovery, you’ll have room to experience relief, belonging, and honest self-acceptance without pressure to reveal more than feels right. By the end of the weekend, you may feel more grounded in your needs, more comfortable taking up space, and better equipped to protect your peace as your healing continues in everyday life.

1. Reflective Journaling

Give words to experiences, emotions, and younger parts of yourself that may not have had the space to speak before.

2. Survivor-Centered Teachings

Explore how childhood trauma can shape self-perception, coping, and relationships through Nate’s lived-experience perspective.

3. Mindfulness Exercises

Use meditation and mindful awareness to create moments of stillness, presence, and compassionate connection with yourself.

4. Live Q&A

Bring your questions directly to Nate and gain additional perspective on trauma recovery, inner child work, and moving forward.

5. Group Sharing

Listen, connect, and share at your own comfort level within a community grounded in respect, understanding, and clearly defined boundaries.

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

February 12-14, 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

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 7:30–9:00 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 7:30–9:00 am

Session 6 9:30–11:30 am

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

Lunch 12:00–1:30 pm

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.

Working with Nate has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

—Dr. Lance G. (Past Participant)

I just want to say how much this course means to me. I’ve not ever had the kind of help Nate afforded me. As an academic and child abuse survivor, you are extraordinary to this work, Nate. Thank you ever so much. You changed me.

—Carrie G. (Past Participant)

Nate’s help with those of us struggling is so remarkable. We all know, as survivors, the difference between speaking from intellectual knowledge and lived experience. Nate has been where we have. He returns from the trail up ahead for those of us with twisted ankles to say, ‘Hey, you can make it; just take a left at the big rock up ahead.’ Invaluable encouragement.

—Skye P. (Past Participant)

Participating in this was incredible. I saw myself in so many people and that felt amazing. Listening to Nate and his wisdom and insight-he's so warm and welcoming-there is no judgement, only support. I appreciate SO MUCH that there are people so dedicated to helping people heal and love and feel again. Thank you, so sincerely.

—Rebecca C. (Past Participant)

Just thinking of the work I've done here is bringing me to tears. Knowing that I invested in me - a 54 year old walking wounded little girl whose own family still won't acknowledge blows me away. This did so much for my self-esteem and making me feel like I am worthy, I cannot even think of the words for how I am feeling.

—Kathy V. (Past Participant)

This course has been more effective than ten years in therapy.

—Marc R. (Past Participant)

Meet the Presenter

Nate Postlethwait

Nate Postlethwait is a writer, trauma survivor, and advocate whose deeply personal work helps people affected by childhood trauma feel less alone and move toward greater self-understanding, wholeness, hope, and peace.

Learn More
Nate Postlethwait

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

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.

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

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

February 12-14, 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.