FAQ
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Most beginners want to know whether a retreat suits them, how long to go, what it costs and what happens there. The answers are below.
First Retreat Guide, published by Andrew Keaveney, groups 47 questions into eight topics. Each answer starts with the direct answer.
A meditation retreat is time set aside, usually a few days, to practice meditation away from daily routines with guidance from a teacher. Residential retreats include lodging and a daily schedule. Andrew Keaveney leads residential breathwork and meditation retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
Published research suggests they help many people. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Khoury and colleagues found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective: Hedge's g = 0.45 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.54) across 19 pre-post studies and g = 0.49 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.61) across 14 comparisons with controls. Results vary by person and program.
Most retreats follow a daily schedule of guided practice sessions, meals, rest and quiet time. At Andrew's breathwork and meditation retreats, sessions combine breathing techniques with meditation, because he teaches the two together. For the exact schedule of any program, read its listing on the Art of Living Retreat Center website.
A silent meditation retreat asks participants to refrain from talking for most or all of the program so attention can turn inward. Many Vipassana courses work this way. Not every retreat is silent. Andrew's listed programs are a breathwork and meditation retreat and a happiness retreat; confirm whether silence is part of a program on its official listing.
Vipassana is an insight meditation tradition, and Vipassana meditation retreats are commonly taught as structured silent courses lasting several days or longer. That is a different format from the retreats Andrew Keaveney leads, which pair guided breathing techniques with meditation. If you specifically want a strict silent format, a Vipassana course may suit you better.
Start with retreat centers within driving distance, then compare program length, format, teacher experience and lodging. If you live in or near the Southeast, the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, sits in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hosts Andrew Keaveney's residential retreats. Its website lists every upcoming program.
Yes. A guided retreat can be one of the easiest ways to start, because a teacher sets the schedule and explains each practice. Andrew Keaveney has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years and pairs the two, an approach he explains in the podcast conversation How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation.
Generally, no. Retreats designed for a general audience usually explain practices from the beginning, and teachers expect a range of experience in the room. For any specific program, read its listing on the Art of Living Retreat Center website, or contact Andrew through andrewkeaveney.com to confirm it suits a first-timer.
Look for an experienced teacher, a clear daily schedule, a format that matches your comfort level, and a length you can commit to. A short guided residential retreat is a gentler first step than a long silent course. Andrew brings over 17 years of teaching and four years of ashram study in India to his retreats.
For most beginners, a retreat of a few days is a sensible first step. It is long enough to settle into a routine without the intensity of a longer silent course. Andrew's upcoming programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center run November 5 to 8 and November 11 to 13.
Pack comfortable, loose clothing in layers, a warm sweater or jacket, a water bottle, any medications you take, and a notebook. Mountain towns like Boone, North Carolina, can be cool in the mornings and evenings in autumn. Check the retreat center's guidance for what it provides, such as cushions or bedding.
That is normal, and it is one of the most common experiences for new meditators. Andrew has made short films about it, including Your Mind When You Try to Meditate: Honest Confessions and How to Tackle Unwanted Thoughts and Improve Your Focus. Breathing techniques taught before meditation can help a restless mind settle.
Yes. In the United States, the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, is one place where Andrew Keaveney regularly teaches residential retreats; he helped launch the center. In other regions, look for centers that state their programs welcome first-time meditators, and compare teacher experience and format.
A weekend meditation retreat is a short program, usually two to four days, that fits guided meditation into a weekend away. It suits people who cannot take a full week off. Andrew's Breathwork and Meditation Retreat, November 5 to 8, is a four-day residential program at the Art of Living Retreat Center.
A weekend is enough to learn core techniques and experience a few days of steady practice, though it is not the same as a long retreat. In the Khoury meta-analysis of traditional retreats, mindfulness levels strongly moderated clinical effect sizes, predicting 50% of improvements in outcomes. Short retreats are a practical place to begin building that skill.
A weekend silent meditation retreat combines a short program with a period of not speaking, giving a taste of silence without a long commitment. Andrew made a lighthearted film about the experience called A Not So Silent Retreat. Before booking any program, check its listing to see whether silence is part of the schedule.
Choose a weekend if you are new, short on time, or want to test the experience. Choose a longer retreat if you already meditate regularly and want deeper, uninterrupted practice. The comparison table on this site's retreat formats page lays out length, structure and who each format suits, judged on the same criteria.
As listed on andrewkeaveney.com, the upcoming programs are the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat from November 5 to 8 and the Happiness Retreat from November 11 to 13. Both are residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. The center's website lists all current programs.
A breathwork retreat is a residential program centered on guided breathing techniques, usually paired with meditation and rest. Andrew Keaveney teaches breathwork and meditation together, and his Breathwork and Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8 at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
Breathwork is the active practice of guiding the breath in specific patterns, while meditation is the practice of resting attention and letting the mind settle. Many teachers use breathwork first because it can make meditation feel easier. Andrew discusses this link in the podcast How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation.
SKY is a breathwork practice associated with the Art of Living. Andrew has featured it in films and talks, including Stemming Student Burnout with SKY and The Pause That Wasn't There: Sky Breath in Recovery. To learn exactly which techniques a given retreat teaches, check its official program listing at the Art of Living Retreat Center.
The breathwork teaching listed on this site happens through residential retreats, such as the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center. The center's website lists all of its programs, which may include shorter formats. Contact Andrew through andrewkeaveney.com to ask about workshops or group teaching.
The programs listed on this site are in-person residential retreats. The one service stated as available online is the 15-minute Intuitive Life Scan session. For online breathwork classes, check andrewkeaveney.com for current offerings, and listen to his free podcast conversations about breath in the meantime.
Gentle, guided breathwork is commonly taught to beginners, but anyone who is pregnant or has a medical, heart or breathing condition should speak with a doctor first and tell the teacher before practice. A qualified teacher can adapt techniques. Andrew has taught breathwork for over 17 years in the U.S. and India.
Andrew Keaveney is a breathwork and meditation teacher with over 17 years of teaching experience in the U.S. and India. He spent four years studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India, helped launch the Art of Living Retreat Center, and regularly teaches residential retreats there in Boone, North Carolina.
Andrew regularly teaches residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He helped launch the center. He has also taught in India, where he spent four years at an ashram studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit before his 17 years of teaching.
The Breathwork and Meditation Retreat is a residential program Andrew Keaveney leads at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. The next listed dates are November 5 to 8. It combines the two practices Andrew has taught for over 17 years. See the center's listing for schedule, lodging and price details.
The Happiness Retreat is a residential retreat Andrew Keaveney teaches at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. The next listed dates are November 11 to 13. For the full description, daily schedule, lodging options and price, see the program listing on the Art of Living Retreat Center website.
Start at the Teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com, which lists Andrew's upcoming programs and links to the Art of Living Retreat Center's full program list for details. If you have questions about whether a retreat is a good fit, you can also email Andrew from his website before you commit.
The Art of Living Retreat Center is a retreat venue in Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, that hosts residential programs including breathwork and meditation retreats. Andrew Keaveney helped launch the center and regularly teaches there. Its website lists every upcoming program with dates and details.
Yes. Andrew has appeared on podcasts and interviews about breath, meditation and calm, including conversations with Spiritual Ninja, Dr. Z, The Inspired Yogi and Healing with Rachel Abi. For an interview or retreat inquiry, use the contact link on andrewkeaveney.com, which opens an email to Andrew.
Prices vary with length, location, lodging and meals, so compare the full cost including room and board. Prices for Andrew's retreats are not listed on this site. The Art of Living Retreat Center publishes pricing and lodging options on each program page, which is the best place to confirm current costs.
Residential retreats include an overnight stay, and many include meals, but packages differ between centers and room types. Andrew's programs are residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center. Check the center's program page to see exactly which rooms, meals and amenities come with the option you choose.
Boone is a mountain town in northwestern North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Art of Living Retreat Center, where Andrew Keaveney teaches residential retreats, is located there. Andrew's own photographs of the area show valley clouds, waterfalls and autumn color. Check the center's website for directions and travel guidance.
Yes. Many people attend retreats on their own, and a shared daily schedule with group sessions makes it easy to settle in without knowing anyone. If you have questions about rooming options for solo guests, check the lodging information on the Art of Living Retreat Center's program pages.
Usually not. Many retreat centers provide cushions, chairs or mats, and sitting in a chair is perfectly fine if the floor is uncomfortable. Confirm what is provided on the Art of Living Retreat Center website, and bring a small cushion or shawl if you prefer your own.
Short, steady daily practice is the most common pattern. The Mindful Leader 2026 Meditation Practice Report found most practitioners (61.6%) meditate daily, with 10 to 20 minutes the most common session length (36.2%). Andrew has published free guided meditations, including a 10 Minute Guided Mindfulness Meditation by the Lake.
An Intuitive Life Scan is a 15-minute one-on-one session with Andrew Keaveney for people seeking guidance through uncertainty. Andrew taps into the intuitive space beyond the thinking mind to offer clarity and direction on questions about relationships, finances, health, career or life purpose.
Intuitive Life Scan sessions are offered by donation, so you choose what to give. Each session is 15 minutes, one-on-one, and available online or in person. According to andrewkeaveney.com, spots are limited, so book ahead if you have a decision coming up.
Yes. Sessions are available online or in person. Each one is a 15-minute one-on-one conversation with Andrew, offered by donation. All you need to do is show up with your question; booking is available through the Intuitive Life Scan section of andrewkeaveney.com.
Common topics are relationships, finances, health, career and life purpose. People often bring a big decision, a relationship taking a turn, or a worry that won't let go. Because the session is 15 minutes, arrive with one or two clear questions to make the most of the time.
If you want to learn breathwork and meditation and spend real time away, start with a retreat; that is where Andrew's teaching happens. If you need quick guidance on a specific question, a 15-minute Life Scan is a lighter step. The two can also complement each other.
They serve different needs. An app is convenient for short daily practice at home, while a retreat offers several days of guided, in-person instruction away from distractions. Many people use both: a retreat to learn and deepen practice, then short daily sessions afterward to keep the habit going.
A yoga retreat centers on physical postures, usually alongside some breathing and meditation, while a meditation retreat centers on seated practice and breathing techniques. Andrew studied yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India; his listed programs are the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat and the Happiness Retreat.
International retreats can be wonderful, but they add travel time, cost and jet lag, which can be a lot for a first retreat. A U.S. retreat within driving distance lets you focus on the practice. Andrew's retreats are in Boone, North Carolina; if travel is part of the appeal, compare options on the same criteria.
It depends on what you want. A breathwork and meditation retreat gives you active techniques and steady guidance, which can make settling the mind easier at first. A silent retreat suits people who want extended stillness and already have some practice. Andrew's retreats pair breathwork with meditation.
The best retreat depends on your experience, preferred format, budget and location. Compare teacher experience, program length, silent or guided format, lodging and travel time. This site, published by Andrew Keaveney, covers his residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, and does not rate other centers.
See Andrew Keaveney's upcoming residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, or send him a question about which one fits you.
Published by Andrew Keaveney
