FAQ
Meditation and breathwork retreat questions, answered
Last updated: November 2026
Here are 50plain answers about Andrew Keaveney's meditation and breathwork retreats in Boone, North Carolina, the Intuitive Life Scan, and retreats in general. Each answer starts with the direct answer, then the supporting facts.
What do people ask most about meditation retreats?
Most people want to know what happens on a retreat, what it costs, whether it suits beginners and how to get to Boone. Jump to a topic below.
Meditation retreats explained
What is a meditation retreat?
A meditation retreat is a stretch of days set aside to practice meditation away from ordinary routines, usually with a teacher guiding each session. Andrew Keaveney leads residential retreats, so participants stay on site at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and the practice continues from morning to evening without a commute home.
What does residential retreat mean?
A residential retreat is one where you stay overnight at the venue for the length of the program. Both of Andrew Keaveney's November 2026 programs, the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat and the Happiness Retreat, are listed as residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC. Check the center's program page for room and meal details.
What is a breathwork retreat?
A breathwork retreat builds the program around guided breathing practices, often paired with meditation. Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8, 2026 at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone. Andrew has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years and has spoken on podcasts about how breathwork opens the door to meditation.
What is the Happiness Retreat?
The Happiness Retreat is a residential retreat Andrew Keaveney teaches at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, scheduled for November 11 to 13, 2026, Wednesday to Friday. The detailed daily schedule and curriculum are published by the retreat center, so check its program listing to see what each day includes before you register.
Who is Andrew Keaveney?
Andrew Keaveney is a breathwork and meditation teacher with over 17 years of teaching experience 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.
Cost and booking
How much does a meditation retreat with Andrew cost?
Retreat prices are not listed on this site. The Art of Living Retreat Center publishes current pricing for each program. At residential retreat centers, the total often depends on the program and the lodging option you choose, so open the program listing from andrewkeaveney.com or the center's site to see the exact rate before you register.
Are there affordable meditation retreats in USA?
Yes, meditation retreat prices in the USA vary widely with length, lodging and location, and shorter programs are often the simplest way to keep the total down. Andrew's Happiness Retreat runs three days, November 11 to 13, 2026. Because prices are not published here, compare current rates on the Art of Living Retreat Center's site.
How much does an Intuitive Life Scan cost?
An Intuitive Life Scan is offered by donation, so you choose what to give. Each session is a 15-minute one-on-one conversation with Andrew Keaveney, held online or in person. Spots are limited, and the booking link appears on the Intuitive Life Scan page of this site and on andrewkeaveney.com.
What does lodging in Boone cost if I arrive early?
Short-term rental listings in Boone averaged $349 a night and were booked on 38% of available nights, against $305 and 39% for the North Carolina average, according to AirROI's 2026 Boone data. That is a market average for private rentals, not the retreat center's rate, which is set separately for each program.
How do I register for a retreat?
Start with the upcoming programs listed in the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com, then follow the link to the Art of Living Retreat Center, where full program listings are published. The two current residential retreats are the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, November 5 to 8, 2026, and the Happiness Retreat, November 11 to 13, 2026, both in Boone, NC.
How the retreats work
How long are Andrew's retreats?
The current residential retreats run three to four days. The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat spans November 5 to 8, 2026, Thursday through Sunday, and the Happiness Retreat spans November 11 to 13, 2026, Wednesday through Friday. Both take place at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
What happens on a typical retreat day?
The exact daily schedule is set for each program, so check the retreat center's listing for times. In general, a breathwork and meditation retreat alternates guided breathing, sitting meditation, rest and meals. Andrew's programs are residential, which means the practice continues across the whole day rather than in a single class.
Are Andrew's retreats silent retreats?
Neither current program is described as a silent retreat. The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat and the Happiness Retreat are listed as residential retreats. Andrew has made a short film called 'A Not So Silent Retreat' and spoken about silence on podcasts, but if you want full silence, confirm the format on the program listing first.
What should I bring to a residential meditation retreat?
Pack comfortable layered clothing, a refillable water bottle, any medications you need and a warm jacket, since Boone sits above 3,000 feet in the Blue Ridge Mountains and November weather can turn cold. Check the retreat center's program page before you travel for anything specific to your program.
Do I need meditation experience to attend?
Many meditation retreats welcome people with no prior practice, but requirements differ by program. No prerequisite is stated for Andrew's retreats on this site, so read the program page on the Art of Living Retreat Center's site, or ask through andrewkeaveney.com, before booking if you have never meditated.
Who the retreats are for
Is a meditation retreat good for beginners?
A guided retreat can be a strong start for beginners, because a teacher leads every session and daily distractions are set aside. Andrew writes openly for newcomers, including a post titled '3 things I wish I knew before starting meditation.' Confirm that a specific program suits first-timers on its listing before you register.
Who are Andrew's retreats for?
They are for people who want hands-on instruction in breathwork and meditation and a few days away to practice it. Andrew describes the aim on his own site as finding a quiet mind and joyful heart. A residential program in Boone gives you guided sessions with a teacher who has taught for over 17 years.
Can a meditation retreat help with stress?
Research suggests retreats help many people. A systematic review and meta-analysis indexed on PubMed found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective on the combined outcomes measured, with Hedge's g of 0.45 in pre-post analyses (n = 19) and 0.49 against controls (n = 14). A retreat is not a substitute for medical or mental health care.
Can I go to a meditation retreat alone?
Yes. Many people attend a residential retreat on their own. Retreats like Andrew's are taught to a group, so you practice alongside others even if you arrive by yourself. Rooming options are set by the venue, so check the Art of Living Retreat Center's listing for single or shared lodging before you book.
Can couples or friends attend together?
Yes. Residential retreats generally accept people who register together, and practicing with a partner or friend can make the experience easier to talk about afterward. Each person usually registers individually, and lodging choices such as shared rooms are set by the venue, so check the program listing for details.
What if I cannot travel to Boone?
The Intuitive Life Scan is offered online as a 15-minute one-on-one session by donation. Andrew also shares free material online, including a '15 Minute Meditation to Help You Find Inner Peace' video, podcast interviews and his Substack newsletter, Everyday Joy. Links to all of these are on andrewkeaveney.com.
Compared to alternatives
Is a retreat better than a weekly meditation class?
Neither is better for everyone. A retreat gives you several consecutive days of guided practice, while a weekly class gives you short sessions spread over time. Retreats suit people who want immersion and a clear break from routine. Weekly classes suit people who cannot travel or want to build a habit at home. Many people use both.
What is the difference between breathwork and meditation?
Breathwork uses deliberate breathing patterns, while meditation is the practice of resting attention, often with eyes closed. Andrew teaches the two together and has discussed on podcasts how breathwork opens the door to meditation: settling the breath first can make sitting quietly feel easier, especially for people whose minds feel busy.
Should I choose a silent retreat or a guided retreat?
Choose a guided retreat if you want instruction and a teacher's support; choose a silent retreat if you already have a practice and want extended quiet. Andrew's current programs are guided residential retreats. Silent retreats in North Carolina and elsewhere are offered by other centers, each with its own format and rules.
Is this a yoga retreat or a meditation retreat?
Andrew's current programs are breathwork and meditation retreats. Andrew studied yoga, meditation and Sanskrit for four years at an ashram in India, but the program names on his site focus on breathwork, meditation and happiness. If yoga classes matter to you, check the retreat center's listing for what each program includes.
Why choose Boone over other meditation retreats in USA?
Boone sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina, which gives a retreat a quiet mountain setting within driving distance of much of the Southeast. Andrew helped launch the Art of Living Retreat Center there and teaches regularly. Other U.S. centers in places like Virginia or California offer different settings and traditions.
Should I book a retreat or an Intuitive Life Scan?
Book a retreat if you want to learn breathwork and meditation and spend several days practicing. Book an Intuitive Life Scan if you have one specific question, such as a career decision or a relationship change, and want a short 15-minute conversation. Most visitors here start with a retreat, which is where Andrew teaches in depth.
What are the best meditation retreats in the US?
The best meditation retreat in the US is the one that matches your goal, schedule and experience. For guided breathwork and meditation in a mountain setting, Andrew Keaveney's residential retreats in Boone, North Carolina are a good fit. Silent retreats and city centers suit other needs, so compare format, length and teacher first.
Boone and practical details
Where are Andrew's retreats held?
Andrew's current residential retreats are held at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. He helped launch the center and regularly teaches programs there. Boone is a mountain town in Watauga County, in the High Country of northwestern North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
How do I get to Boone, NC?
Most visitors drive to Boone, which sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Larger airports serving the region include Charlotte and the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee, followed by a drive into the mountains. Confirm directions and arrival times on the retreat center's program page before you travel.
What is the weather like in Boone in November?
November in Boone is usually cool to cold, since the town sits above 3,000 feet, and early snow is possible in the High Country. Pack warm layers, a jacket and shoes that handle wet ground. Andrew's November 2026 retreats fall in late autumn, so plan for chilly mornings and evenings.
Are there yoga retreats in Boone, NC?
The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone lists many programs beyond Andrew's, and you can browse its full calendar for yoga-focused options. Andrew's own programs are breathwork and meditation retreats rather than yoga retreats, even though he studied yoga for four years at an ashram in India.
When is the next retreat with Andrew?
As of November 2026, the next retreat is the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, November 5 to 8, 2026, followed by the Happiness Retreat, November 11 to 13, 2026. Both are residential programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC. Check andrewkeaveney.com for programs added after these dates.
Is there a weekend meditation retreat with Andrew?
Yes. The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs Thursday, November 5 through Sunday, November 8, 2026, so it covers a full weekend with two weekdays added. The Happiness Retreat runs midweek, Wednesday to Friday. Both are residential programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
Breathwork, online options and Life Scan
Does Andrew offer online breathwork classes?
Andrew's published program list centers on residential retreats in Boone, and the online session listed on his site is the Intuitive Life Scan. He also shares free online material about breath, including podcasts and films. For any new online breathwork classes, check the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com.
Is a breathwork workshop the same as a breathwork retreat?
Not quite. A breathwork workshop is usually a single session or a few hours, while a breathwork retreat is a multi-day program, often residential. Andrew's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat is a four-day residential program in Boone, November 5 to 8, 2026, which leaves room for repeated practice that a short workshop cannot offer.
Is breathwork safe?
Gentle guided breathwork is practiced safely by many people, but some techniques are not right for everyone. If you are pregnant or have a heart or lung condition, epilepsy, or a history of serious mental health conditions, talk to your doctor first and tell the retreat team before the program begins.
Can breathwork calm the nervous system?
Many people use slow, deliberate breathing to feel calmer, and Andrew discusses this in a podcast conversation with Dr. Z titled 'How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just Breathe).' A retreat lets you practice under guidance for several days in a row, but it does not replace medical or mental health care.
Where can I try Andrew's teaching for free?
Try his free guided videos, such as '10 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation by the Lake' and '15 Minute Meditation to Help You Find Inner Peace,' plus his Substack newsletter, Everyday Joy, and podcast interviews on breath and meditation. Links to all of these are on andrewkeaveney.com.
What is an Intuitive Life Scan?
An Intuitive Life Scan is a 15-minute one-on-one session in which Andrew taps into the intuitive space beyond the thinking mind to bring clarity and direction to your question. It is offered online or in person, by donation, for people facing a big decision, a relationship taking a turn, or a worry that will not let go.
What topics can a Life Scan cover?
Andrew lists five areas: relationships, finances, health, career and life purpose. You bring a question within any of these, and the 15-minute session focuses on it. A Life Scan is intuitive counsel, not medical, financial or legal advice, so keep your professional advisors involved in those decisions.
How do I prepare for a Life Scan?
Andrew's own guidance is simple: all you need to do is show up and receive. It helps to arrive with one clear question so the 15 minutes stays focused. Sessions are booked through the scheduling link on andrewkeaveney.com and on this site, and spots are limited.
Can I do a Life Scan online?
Yes. The Intuitive Life Scan is offered both online and in person. An online session is a practical option if you live far from Boone or want guidance between retreats. Each session lasts 15 minutes, is one-on-one with Andrew and is offered by donation.
Getting started and common problems
Where should I start if I am new to Andrew's work?
Start with a residential retreat if you can travel, since that is where Andrew teaches breathwork and meditation in depth. If you want a taste first, watch one of his free guided meditations or read his Substack, then look at the upcoming programs in the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com.
How do I contact Andrew about a retreat?
Use the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com, which lists upcoming programs and links to the retreat center. Andrew's main site also invites interview and retreat inquiries through its Get in touch link. This site does not collect messages directly, so every contact button here points to that teaching section.
How early should I book a retreat?
Book as soon as you know your dates, since residential programs have a limited number of rooms. With the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat starting November 5, 2026 and the Happiness Retreat starting November 11, check availability on the retreat center's site right away if you want to attend either one.
What if I cannot quiet my mind?
That experience is normal, and Andrew talks about it openly, including in a short film titled 'Your Mind When You Try to Meditate: Honest Confessions.' Pairing breathwork with meditation, as his November Breathwork & Meditation Retreat does, gives a busy mind something steady to follow before sitting still.
Can a meditation retreat help with sleep?
Some people report better sleep after a retreat, though results vary and no outcome is guaranteed. Andrew made a film called 'My Sleep Was Broken for a Month. This Fixed It in 48 Hours.' about his own experience. For ongoing sleep problems, talk with a medical professional as well.
What if the November dates do not work for me?
The two listed programs run November 5 to 8 and November 11 to 13, 2026. If neither fits, browse the full program calendar at the Art of Living Retreat Center, which lists programs beyond Andrew's, and check the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com for future retreats he teaches.
What is the cancellation policy for a retreat?
Cancellation and refund terms are set by the venue that registers you, not by this site. Before booking, read the policy on the Art of Living Retreat Center's program page so you know any deadlines. If you have a question the listing does not answer, ask through the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com.
Still deciding?
Start with the overview of meditation retreats in USA with Andrew Keaveney, then see his upcoming programs.