The Art of Living

A 3-Day Signature Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The Happiness Retreat

Discover timeless wisdom and master a transformative breathing technique designed to reduce stress, boost happiness, and cultivate lasting inner calm.

Meditation & Yoga
Campus Amenities
Accommodations & Meals
Held Twice Weekly
Wed–Fri  |  Fri–Sun
Starting at
$595
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170,000+
Graduates in the US
4.8/5
From thousands of guests
Blue Ridge Mountains
380+ acres of peace, nature & renewal
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You Deserve More Than Just Getting Through the Day

Art of Living I

The Happiness Retreat is a 3-day immersion in yoga, breathwork, and meditation—designed for women and men who are ready to stop running on empty and actually feel like themselves again.

HELD TWICE WEEKLY | Wed–Fri and Fri–Sun

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Special! Book at least 21 days before program start and save 10%.

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What Happens in Three Days

This isn’t a vacation. It’s a reset—backed by science and rooted in practices taught to over 40 million people worldwide.

From Overwhelm → To Emotional Steadiness

Learn SKY Breath Meditation (Sudarshan Kriya)—a rhythmic breathing technique clinically shown to reduce cortisol by 57% within two weeks. This isn’t theory. It’s a practice you’ll use the morning after you get home and every morning after that.

From Restless Nights → To Deep, Restorative Sleep

Participants report meaningful improvements in sleep quality within the first week. When your nervous system finally has permission to stand down, sleep stops being something you chase and starts being something that finds you.

From Going Through the Motions → To Feeling Present Again

Through guided meditation, gentle yoga, and contemplative time in 380 acres of mountain wilderness, you’ll reconnect with a version of yourself that got buried under the to-do list. Not a new you—the real one.

The Science Isn’t Optional. It’s the Foundation.

Learn Sudarshan Kriya—a powerful, science-backed rhythmic breathing technique that harmonizes the body-mind complex.

-57% descrease in stress hormones Serum cortisol drops within 2 weeks of learning SKY Breath Meditation.
+33% increase in immune cell support Lymphocyte levels rise within 6 weeks—your body’s way of saying thank you.
+21% increase in life satisfaction More calm, more joy, more presence—reported within 1 week.
“I attended the Happiness Retreat for my birthday. It was the best decision I could have ever made. Everyone should attend this retreat and visit the center if you want to get to know yourself, connect, heal, and find clarity.”

—Robin A.

“The whole experience was rejuvenating and clarifying—like hitting the reset button on your soul. We plan to make this an annual trip.”

—Todd C.

“Lovely experience! I attended the Happiness Retreat and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was AMAZING, the views breathtaking, and the room I stayed in was immaculate. Will definitely return and have also told many people about my experience.”

—Heather H.

Featured In

“Life changing”
“May be the fastest growing spiritual practice on the planet”
"Shows promise in providing relief for depression"
"Like Fresh air to millions"

Key Highlights of the 3-Day Course

Yoga & Breathwork

Start each day with gentle yoga followed by daily sessions of ancient wisdom, breathwork, and meditation.

Reflection

You’ll have ample time between sessions for deep contemplative time in nature.

Nourishment Inside & Out

Enjoy three vegetarian buffet-style meals per day—all while looking over the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.

Connection

Keep learning in monthly Zoom sessions to reconnect with your teacher and program participants.

Here’s How It Works

Step 1: Choose Your Dates The Happiness Retreat runs twice a week—Wednesday to Friday or Friday to Sunday. Pick the dates that work for your schedule. Book 21+ days early and save 10%.

Step 2: Arrive and Exhale Check in at 4:00 pm. Dinner is waiting. Your first session starts at 7:30 pm. By the time you walk to your room that night, the mountains will have already started doing their work.

Step 3: Learn Practices You’ll Keep for Life Over three days, you’ll learn SKY Breath Meditation, gentle yoga, and guided meditation from certified Art of Living teachers. These aren’t retreat-only techniques—they’re daily practices designed to travel home with you.

Step 4: Stay Connected After the retreat, join monthly Zoom sessions with your teacher and fellow participants. The tools are yours. The community continues.

4:00 pm Check-in
6:00–7:00 Dinner
7:00–7:20 Mandatory AOLRC Orientation
7:30–9:30 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 guided meditations, 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

Enhance Your Experience

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.

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.

 

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.

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