Breathwork
Breathwork retreat in Boone, North Carolina
Last updated: November 2026Published by Andrew Keaveney
A breathwork retreat is a multi-day program that uses guided breathing techniques as a doorway into meditation, and Andrew Keaveney’s next one runs November 5 to 8, 2026, in Boone, North Carolina.
Andrew Keaveney has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years in the U.S. and India. His Breathwork & Meditation Retreat is a four-day residential program at the Art of Living Retreat Center, which he helped launch.
On this page
What happens at a breathwork retreat?
At a breathwork retreat you learn and practice guided breathing techniques over several days, usually followed by meditation and rest. Because you stay on site, there is time between sessions to rest, walk and let the practice settle.
Andrew often describes breath as a bridge. In podcast conversations such as “How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation” and “The Breath Is the Bridge,” he explains why a focused breathing practice can make sitting in meditation feel easier for people whose minds race. The exact daily schedule for his retreat is published on the Art of Living Retreat Center program page.
Breathwork retreat, workshop or online class?
First Retreat Guide compares the three common ways to learn breathwork on the same criteria. Andrew Keaveney’s listed offering is the residential retreat.
| Format | Typical length | Setting | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathwork retreat (Andrew Keaveney, Boone, NC) | Several days; Andrew’s is 4 days | Residential, away from daily life | Immersion and time to integrate |
| Breathwork workshop | A few hours to a day | Studio or venue, then home | Learning specific techniques quickly |
| Online breathwork classes | Short sessions, often weekly | At home | Regular practice without travel |
Andrew’s website does not list live online breathwork classes or standalone workshops. Online, you can hear his teaching in podcasts and read his Everyday Joy writing on Substack.
Hear Andrew talk about breath first
These conversations, listed on Andrew’s website, are a free way to get a feel for his teaching:
- The Healing Power of Breath: Transform Your Brain, Body & Life, with Susan LoPresti Guzman
- How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just “Breathe”), with Dr. Z
- How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation, The Inspired Yogi
- The Pause That Wasn’t There: Sky Breath in Recovery, Alchemist Recovery
- Breathwork, Meditation & Mental Wellness, podcast
Find them all on Andrew Keaveney’s website.
Is breathwork safe for beginners?
Gentle, guided breathwork is commonly taught to beginners, and learning from an experienced teacher helps you practice correctly. Intensive breathing practices are not for everyone.
For general first-retreat planning, see the first retreat preparation guide or go back to the meditation retreat for beginners guide.
Common questions
What is a breathwork retreat?
A breathwork retreat centers on guided breathing techniques, often paired with meditation, over several days. Andrew Keaveney’s Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, scheduled for November 5 to 8, 2026, at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, combines both. Andrew has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years in the U.S. and India.
See this answer in the full FAQIs breathwork different from meditation?
Yes. Breathwork uses deliberate breathing patterns as the practice itself, while meditation usually means resting attention without controlling the breath. They work well together: Andrew’s podcast conversation “How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation” explores breath as a way to settle so meditation comes more easily. His November 5 to 8 retreat covers both.
See this answer in the full FAQDoes Andrew offer online breathwork classes?
Andrew’s website does not list live online breathwork classes. His retreats are residential programs in Boone, North Carolina. Online, you can hear him in podcast conversations such as “The Healing Power of Breath” and “How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System,” read his Everyday Joy writing on Substack and book an online Intuitive Life Scan.
See this answer in the full FAQWhat is a breathwork workshop?
A breathwork workshop is a shorter, focused session, often a few hours to a day, that teaches specific breathing techniques. A breathwork retreat goes further, spreading practice over several days with time to rest and integrate. Andrew’s listed offering is the four-day Breathwork & Meditation Retreat in Boone, North Carolina, on November 5 to 8, 2026.
See this answer in the full FAQCan breathwork help calm my nervous system?
Many people use breathwork to feel calmer, and Andrew discusses this in the conversation “How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just ‘Breathe’)” with Dr. Z. Results vary from person to person, and breathwork does not replace medical care. Learning from an experienced teacher helps you practice techniques correctly.
See this answer in the full FAQWho is a breathwork retreat for?
A breathwork retreat suits people who want a hands-on, body-based way into meditation. Andrew’s podcast conversations, such as “How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation,” describe breath as a route into stillness. People who are pregnant or have medical conditions should check with their doctor before intensive breathing practice.
See this answer in the full FAQWhat is SKY breath?
SKY is a breathing practice taught through Art of Living programs. Andrew has appeared in talks and films about it, including “The Pause That Wasn’t There: Sky Breath in Recovery” and “Stemming Student Burnout with SKY.” Whether a particular retreat includes SKY is stated on that program’s page at the Retreat Center, so check there.
See this answer in the full FAQReady to sit with Andrew in the mountains?
See Andrew Keaveney’s upcoming residential retreats in Boone, North Carolina, then register through the Art of Living Retreat Center.