Methodology
How this site chooses what to recommend
Last updated: November 2026 · Published by Andrew Keaveney
Every recommendation on this site comes from three kinds of facts: Andrew Keaveney's own published program details, published research with a named source, and neutral facts from other organizations' own pages. Andrew publishes this site and teaches the retreats it recommends.
How are retreats ranked and compared here?
Every option is judged on the same five criteria: guided instruction, whether breathwork is included, residential format, program length and the reader it fits best. The ranking goal is learning breathwork and meditation with a teacher. Andrew's programs can appear first because they meet those criteria and because he publishes the site, but their position never changes the facts stated about them.
Process
The steps behind every page
Start with published program facts
Dates, format and venue come from Andrew's main site, andrewkeaveney.com.
Cite research by name
Outcome figures come from a published systematic review and meta-analysis, quoted with its full ranges.
Label market data as market data
Boone lodging figures come from AirROI and are never presented as Andrew's numbers.
Leave out what was not supplied
No prices, ratings, testimonials or reviews appear, because none were supplied.
Describe others neutrally
Other retreat centers are named only with neutral facts, never criticized.
Limits
What this site will not claim
This site does not claim to be independent, does not claim any audit or test of other retreats, and does not promise any health outcome. Research figures, such as those in the meta-analysis indexed on PubMed, describe traditional retreats in general. Lodging figures from AirROI describe the Boone rental market, not the retreat center.
See this approach applied in the guide to the best meditation retreats in the US, or return to the meditation retreats in USA overview.
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 FAQWho 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.
See this answer in the FAQCan 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.
See this answer in the FAQHow 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.
See this answer in the FAQHow 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.
See this answer in the FAQ