Breathwork retreat

A breathwork retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Last updated: November 2026

Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat is a four-day residential breathwork retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, running November 5 to 8, 2026. Andrew has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years in the U.S. and India, and this program pairs the two practices over consecutive days.

See the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat

What is a breathwork retreat, and how is it different from a workshop?

A breathwork retreat is a multi-day program built around guided breathing practice, usually with meditation alongside it. A breathwork workshop is shorter, often a single session or a few hours. The difference is repetition: on a retreat you practice morning and evening for several days, so the technique has time to settle. Andrew's retreat is residential, which means you stay on site in Boone for all four days.

Breathwork formats compared, with what Andrew Keaveney offers as of November 2026
Format	Typical length	Where	Depth of practice	Offered by Andrew
Breathwork retreat	Several days	Residential venue	Repeated guided practice over consecutive days	Yes: Nov 5 to 8, 2026 in Boone, NC
Breathwork workshop	A few hours to a day	Studio or venue	An introduction to one or more techniques	Not currently listed
Online breathwork classes	Usually under an hour per class	At home	Short sessions spread over time	Not currently listed; free videos and podcasts available

Why it works this way

Breathwork and meditation, taught together

Why pair breathwork with meditation?

Andrew teaches breathwork and meditation as partners. In podcast interviews such as 'How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation' on The Inspired Yogi and 'The Breath Is the Bridge' (episode 122), he describes breath as a bridge into stillness. The idea is practical: many people find that sitting quietly is hard when the mind is racing, and a period of guided breathing first can make the meditation that follows feel easier. On a four-day residential retreat, you repeat that sequence several times, which is something a single breathwork workshop cannot offer. Andrew has also discussed the topic in 'The Healing Power of Breath: Transform Your Brain, Body & Life' with Susan LoPresti Guzman.

Stories Andrew has filmed about breathwork

Beyond teaching, Andrew makes short films about the people who practice. His titles include 'Breathwork Transformed My Addiction: Stories from Ohio,' 'Stemming Student Burnout with SKY' and 'Breathe for Change: Cites 4 Peace.' He has also appeared on the Alchemist Recovery podcast in an episode called 'The Pause That Wasn't There: Sky Breath in Recovery.' These are personal stories, not clinical evidence, but they show the range of people Andrew has worked with and filmed. You can find them through andrewkeaveney.com.

Who should talk to a doctor before a breathwork retreat

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, speak with your doctor before you book and tell the retreat team before the program begins. A breathwork retreat is a learning experience, not a medical treatment, and it does not replace care from a qualified professional. If you are unsure, start with one of Andrew's free guided meditations at home and see how your body responds to slow, attentive breathing.

Looking for online breathwork classes?

As of November 2026, Andrew's published programs are residential retreats in Boone, and the online session listed on his site is the Intuitive Life Scan, a 15-minute one-on-one session offered by donation. He does share free online material about breath, including the podcast conversation 'How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just Breathe)' with Dr. Z and the podcast 'Breathwork, Meditation & Mental Wellness.' If you want live instruction, the retreat is the place to get it. Check the teaching section of andrewkeaveney.com for any new online breathwork classes.

Two people sitting in meditation in a sunlit room — A sunlit meditation room. Photograph by Andrew Keaveney.

More retreats

Part of Andrew's meditation retreats in USA

The breathwork retreat is one of two programs Andrew teaches in Boone this November. The other is the Happiness Retreat, November 11 to 13, 2026. Compare both on the meditation retreats in USA overview, or see what to know about retreats in Boone, NC.

Questions people ask before booking

Read all 50 answers in the FAQ

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.

See this answer in the FAQ

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.

See this answer in the FAQ

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.

See this answer in the FAQ

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.

See this answer in the FAQ

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.

See this answer in the FAQ

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.

See this answer in the FAQ