Guide
Best meditation retreats in the US for learning breathwork and meditation
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Andrew Keaveney
The best meditation retreat in the US is the one that matches your goal, and for learning breathwork and meditation with a teacher, a guided residential retreat beats a silent one or an app.
This guide is published by Andrew Keaveney, who teaches two of the programs it lists. It is not an independent review.
Which meditation retreat in the US is best for me?
Choose a guided residential retreat if you want to learn, a silent retreat if you already practice and want deep quiet, and free online material if you cannot travel yet. Andrew Keaveney's Boone retreats win for people who want breathwork and meditation taught together over several days. Experienced meditators seeking strict silence may be better served by a dedicated silent retreat elsewhere.
Ranked list
Meditation retreat options, ranked for learning
Number 1: Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, Boone, NC
Ranks first for learning because it meets every criterion below: guided instruction, breathwork and meditation together, a residential format and four days of practice (November 5 to 8, 2026). It is also the publisher's own program.
Number 2: Andrew Keaveney's Happiness Retreat, Boone, NC
Same teacher, venue and residential format, ranked second only because it is one day shorter (November 11 to 13, 2026) and its program name does not state breathwork, so check the listing for its exact content.
Number 3: Other programs on the Art of Living Retreat Center calendar
Residential and in the same Boone setting, with many dates beyond Andrew's. Ranked third because teacher, length and breathwork content vary by program, so each must be checked individually.
Number 4: Silent retreats at other U.S. centers
A strong fit for experienced meditators who want extended quiet. Ranked fourth for this guide's goal because instruction is usually lighter and long silence can be demanding for a first retreat.
Number 5: Free guided meditations and podcasts at home
Free and available anywhere, including Andrew's guided videos. Ranked last because there is no residential immersion or live teacher, but it is the right start if travel is not possible.
Comparison
Retreat formats compared on the same criteria
| Option | Guided instruction | Breathwork included | Residential | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat | Yes | Yes, named in the program | Yes | 4 days | Learning both practices over a long weekend |
| Andrew's Happiness Retreat | Yes | Check listing | Yes | 3 days | A shorter midweek residential program |
| Other Art of Living Retreat Center programs | Varies by program | Varies by program | Yes | Varies | Other dates in the same Boone setting |
| Silent retreats at other U.S. centers | Usually lighter | Varies | Usually | Varies | Experienced meditators seeking quiet |
| Free guided meditations at home | Recorded only | Some videos | No | 10 to 15 minutes per video | Starting before you can travel |
Budget
Affordable meditation retreats in USA: how to compare cost
Retreat prices are not listed on this site, so compare current rates on the Art of Living Retreat Centersite. Across the US, the total for a residential retreat generally depends on length, lodging type and location. Shorter programs, like Andrew's three-day Happiness Retreat, are often the simplest way to keep the total down. Travel cost matters too: a retreat within driving distance can save a flight.
Other U.S. centers, such as Vajrapani Institute in the Bay Area and Sanctuary Retreat Center in Virginia, publish their own programs and prices on their own sites.
How we chose
How we chose this ranking
Andrew Keaveney, who publishes this site, wrote this guide and ranked every option on the same five criteria: guided instruction, whether breathwork is included, residential format, program length and the reader it fits best. The goal used for ranking is learning breathwork and meditation with a teacher. No option was tested or audited independently, and no ratings or reviews were used, because none were supplied. Andrew's programs are listed first because they meet all five criteria for this goal, and because he teaches them. Read the full methodology.
For Andrew's own programs, see the overview of meditation retreats in USA with Andrew Keaveney.
Questions people ask before booking
Read all 50 answers in the FAQWhat 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.
See this answer in the FAQAre 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.
See this answer in the FAQIs 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.
See this answer in the FAQShould 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.
See this answer in the FAQWhy 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.
See this answer in the FAQIs 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.
See this answer in the FAQ