FAQ
Here are plain answers to 43 common questions about meditation retreats, breathwork, weekend programs and Intuitive Life Scan sessions with Andrew Keaveney.
Last updated: November 2026
Know your dates, your travel range and what you want to learn. Andrew Keaveney's next programs are residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC, on Nov 5 to 8 and Nov 11 to 13, 2026. Pricing and lodging are shown by the Retreat Center.
A meditation retreat is a stretch of days set aside to learn and practice meditation away from everyday routines, usually with a teacher guiding the sessions. Andrew Keaveney leads residential breathwork and meditation retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, where guests stay on site for the length of the program.
A residential retreat means you stay overnight at the venue for the whole program instead of commuting each day. Both of Andrew’s upcoming November programs are listed as residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC. Lodging and meal details are set by the Retreat Center, so confirm them on its website before you register.
Published research suggests they help. A systematic review and meta-analysis indexed on PubMed found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective, with a Hedge’s g of 0.45 in pre-post analyses across 19 studies and 0.49 when compared with controls across 14 studies. Results vary by person, and a retreat is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.
Meditation retreats range from a single weekend to several weeks, depending on the tradition and the program. Andrew’s upcoming programs are short: the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs Nov 5 to 8, 2026, and the Happiness Retreat runs Nov 11 to 13, 2026. Short programs suit people who want a real retreat without a long break from work or family.
Not always. Some retreats keep full silence for days, while others mix guided sessions, talks and conversation. Andrew’s site lists his programs as residential breathwork and meditation retreats and does not describe them as silent retreats. For the daily format of a specific program, check its listing on the Art of Living Retreat Center website or ask through Andrew’s site.
A typical day at a meditation retreat alternates guided practice, rest, meals and time outdoors, though every program sets its own schedule. Andrew’s retreats center on breathwork and meditation in the Blue Ridge Mountains around Boone, NC. The exact daily timetable for each program is published by the Retreat Center, so review it there before booking.
Start by deciding how far you will travel, then compare retreat length, teaching style and whether you stay on site. If you live in or can reach western North Carolina, Andrew Keaveney’s residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone are one option. Many people travel for a retreat, since the change of setting is part of the experience.
Andrew Keaveney is a breathwork and meditation teacher who has taught for over 17 years in the U.S. and India. Before teaching, he spent four years studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India. He helped launch the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and regularly teaches retreats there.
Andrew’s upcoming retreats are held at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He helped launch the Retreat Center and teaches there regularly. Travel directions, lodging and arrival details are provided by the Retreat Center on its own website, which is the best source for planning your trip.
Two residential programs are listed for November 2026 at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC: the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat from Nov 5 to 8, and the Happiness Retreat from Nov 11 to 13. You can see current programs on the teaching section of Andrew’s website and the full schedule on the Retreat Center’s site.
The Happiness Retreat is one of Andrew’s upcoming residential programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC, listed for Wednesday, Nov 11 to Friday, Nov 13, 2026. The program’s full description, daily schedule and registration are on the Retreat Center’s website, which is the best place to confirm what each session covers.
The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat is a residential program Andrew teaches at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC, listed for Thursday, Nov 5 to Sunday, Nov 8, 2026. As the name says, it pairs breathwork with meditation. Andrew often describes breathwork as a doorway into meditation, a theme he has discussed on several podcasts.
Pack comfortable layered clothing, a refillable water bottle, any medications you take and a light jacket, since mountain evenings can be cool. A journal can help you note what comes up during practice. The Retreat Center publishes its own arrival guidance, so check its website for anything specific to your program before you travel.
Andrew regularly teaches retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center, and his website lists upcoming programs as they are scheduled. The November 2026 programs are the ones listed right now. To see what comes next, check the teaching section of Andrew’s website or the Retreat Center’s full program calendar for new dates.
Retreat prices are not listed on this site. The cost of any meditation retreat usually depends on program length, lodging type and the meals included. For Andrew’s programs, current pricing is set and shown by the Art of Living Retreat Center when you view a program and choose accommodation, so check there for exact figures before you plan.
Yes. Prices vary widely, and short programs generally cost less than long ones because they involve fewer nights of lodging and meals. A three or four day residential retreat like Andrew’s November programs is a smaller commitment than a week or more away. Compare the total cost including travel, and confirm current rates directly with the venue.
Start on the teaching section of Andrew’s website, which lists his upcoming programs and links to the Art of Living Retreat Center. Choose your dates, open the program on the Retreat Center’s site, pick accommodation and complete registration there. If you have questions first, use the get in touch option on Andrew’s website.
Inclusions are set by the Art of Living Retreat Center for each program, so they can differ by program and by room type. Residential retreats typically bundle teaching sessions with on-site lodging and meals, but confirm the exact details on the program listing before you register so you know what your total covers.
Cancellation and change policies are set by the venue that handles registration. For Andrew’s programs, that is the Art of Living Retreat Center, which publishes its policies on its website. Read them before booking, especially if your travel plans or work schedule are still uncertain, so you know your options in advance.
Yes. Andrew’s Intuitive Life Scan, a 15-minute one-on-one session held online or in person, is offered by donation. Retreats are separate programs with pricing handled by the Art of Living Retreat Center. Spots for Life Scan sessions are limited and can be booked through the scheduling link on Andrew’s website.
Yes. A guided retreat can be one of the easiest ways to start meditating, because a teacher walks you through each practice and the schedule removes daily distractions. Andrew has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years and writes about what he wishes he knew before starting meditation on his Substack, Everyday Joy.
Andrew’s program listings do not state any experience requirement, and guided breathwork and meditation retreats are commonly open to newcomers. If you are unsure whether a specific program fits your level, check its listing on the Art of Living Retreat Center website or reach out through Andrew’s site before registering.
That is normal, and it is one of the most common worries people bring to a first retreat. Andrew made a short film called Your Mind When You Try to Meditate: Honest Confessions about exactly this. Breathwork is often used as a way into meditation because it gives a busy mind something concrete to do.
Many people go on retreat to reset from stress, and a published meta-analysis found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective overall. Andrew has also made films on burnout, including Stemming Student Burnout with SKY. A retreat is not medical treatment, so anyone managing a health condition should speak with their healthcare provider first.
Yes. Plenty of people attend retreats on their own, and a residential setting makes it easy to settle in without needing a companion. Group sessions give natural chances to meet others if you want to, while quiet time is there when you need it. Many first-timers find going solo helps them focus on their own practice.
Andrew’s retreats are for people who want meditation or breathwork instruction and a few days away in the mountains. That includes curious beginners, people returning to a practice and anyone seeking a quieter mind. If you mainly want quick personal guidance on one decision, his 15-minute Intuitive Life Scan may fit better.
Breathwork is the practice of using intentional breathing patterns to influence how you feel in body and mind. Andrew Keaveney has taught breathwork alongside meditation for over 17 years and often describes breath as a bridge into meditation, a theme from podcast appearances such as The Breath Is the Bridge and How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation.
A breathwork retreat is a residential program where breathing practices are a central part of each day, usually alongside meditation and rest. Andrew’s Breathwork & Meditation Retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC, runs Nov 5 to 8, 2026, and combines both practices in one program.
Usually, yes. A breathwork workshop is typically a single session or day, while a retreat gives you several days to practice and absorb what you learn. Andrew’s current listings are residential retreats. A retreat suits people who want depth and repetition, while a workshop suits people trying the practice for the first time.
Online breathwork classes are not listed on Andrew’s site at this time; his current programs are in-person residential retreats. What he does offer online is the Intuitive Life Scan, plus free podcasts and films about breath and meditation. For structured breathwork instruction with Andrew, the residential retreat is the main option right now.
Gentle breathwork is practiced widely, but some techniques can feel intense, so be cautious if you are pregnant or have heart, lung or other health conditions. Speak with your healthcare provider before attending if you have concerns, and tell your teacher about anything relevant at the start of the program.
Sky Breath, often called SKY, is a breathing practice taught by the Art of Living. Andrew has made films and joined podcasts about it, including Stemming Student Burnout with SKY and The Pause That Wasn’t There: Sky Breath in Recovery. Check each program listing at the Retreat Center to see which practices that program includes.
Vipassana meditation retreats are commonly longer silent programs focused on one insight meditation technique. Andrew’s retreats are shorter residential programs that pair breathwork with meditation. If you want an extended silent retreat, a vipassana center fits better. If you want a guided first step lasting a few days, a breathwork and meditation retreat may suit you.
Not quite. A yoga and meditation retreat usually includes physical yoga classes along with meditation, while Andrew’s programs center on breathwork and meditation. Andrew did study yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India for four years, so yoga philosophy informs his teaching, but check each program listing for what is included.
They serve different needs. Online classes are convenient and repeatable at home, while an in-person retreat removes daily distractions and gives you several days of guided practice in one place. Many people use online resources to keep a practice going after a retreat, and Andrew’s free podcasts and films can help between programs.
Traveling abroad for a yoga or meditation retreat can be memorable but usually adds flights, time off and planning. A retreat in the USA, such as Andrew’s programs in the North Carolina mountains, keeps travel simpler for U.S. residents. Choose based on your budget, available days and how much travel you want before you can rest.
The best meditation retreat in the USA is the one that matches your goals, schedule and travel range. As the publisher of this site, Andrew Keaveney lists his own residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC, first. The site’s USA guide explains the criteria it uses so you can compare any retreat fairly.
A weekend meditation retreat is long enough to learn practices, rest and feel a change of pace, though longer retreats allow more depth. Andrew’s Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs Thursday, Nov 5 to Sunday, Nov 8, 2026, which covers a long weekend. It is a practical choice when a week away is not realistic.
An Intuitive Life Scan is a short one-on-one session in which Andrew taps into the intuitive space beyond the thinking mind to bring clarity and direction to a question you bring. Sessions last 15 minutes, take place online or in person, and are offered by donation. Spots are limited.
People bring questions about relationships, finances, health, career and life purpose. It might be a big decision, a relationship taking a turn or a worry that will not let go. The Life Scan offers intuitive counsel, not medical, legal or financial advice, so keep professional advisers involved for those matters.
The Intuitive Life Scan is offered by donation, so you choose what to give. Each session is 15 minutes, one-on-one, and can be held online or in person. Spots are limited, and Andrew notes that all you need to do is show up and receive. Book through the scheduling link on his website.
You can book an Intuitive Life Scan through the scheduling link on Andrew’s website or on this site’s Life Scan page. Choose an open time, then join online or meet in person as arranged. Spots are limited, so book ahead if you have a particular week in mind for your session.
Start with a retreat if you want to learn breathwork and meditation and build a practice you can keep. Choose a Life Scan if you need quick personal clarity on one specific question. The retreat is the deeper experience and the main way to learn with Andrew, and the Life Scan is a light touch you can add anytime.
Still deciding? Start with the meditation retreat in Boone, NC.
See Andrew's upcoming residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
