Breathwork retreat

A breathwork retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Last updated November 2026By Andrew Keaveney

A breathwork retreat is a residential program built around guided breathing practices, and Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat runs November 5 to 8 in Boone, North Carolina.

Andrew Keaveney pairs breathwork with meditation so the breath calms the body first and stillness comes more easily. He has taught both for over 17 years in the U.S. and India, and teaches the retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center, which he helped launch.

See the breathwork retreat

What happens at a breathwork retreat?

At a breathwork retreat you learn guided breathing techniques, practice them in sessions across several days, and usually follow them with meditation and rest. In Andrew's retreats, breathwork is the entry point: it settles restlessness so meditation feels less like effort.

Breathwork and meditation: what is the difference?

Breathwork and meditation compared on the same criteria, from Andrew Keaveney's retreat guide.
Criteria	Breathwork	Meditation
What you do	Actively guide the rhythm and depth of the breath	Rest attention and let the mind settle
Feels like	Active and energizing	Receptive and still
Helps beginners because	It gives the mind a clear task	It builds the habit of noticing
In Andrew’s retreats	Comes first, as the doorway	Follows, once the mind is calmer

Breathwork retreat essentials

Definition: breathwork

Breathwork is the practice of consciously guiding the breath, changing its pace, depth or rhythm, to influence how the body and mind feel. It is often used to calm the nervous system and prepare for meditation. Andrew Keaveney has made films about SKY, a breathing practice taught through Art of Living programs, including a film on stemming student burnout with SKY. He has also discussed breath and calming the nervous system on podcasts, including one titled The Breath Is the Bridge. Breathwork supports well-being and is not a medical treatment.

The breathwork retreat in numbers

Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, Nov 5 to 8: 4 days
years teaching breathwork and meditation: 17+
years studying yoga, meditation and Sanskrit in India: 4
countries Andrew has taught in: the U.S. and India: 2

As listed on andrewkeaveney.com, as of November 2026.

How to get ready for a breathwork retreat

Check with your doctor if needed
Especially if you are pregnant or have heart, respiratory or psychiatric conditions.
Listen to a talk first
Andrew’s podcast on how breathwork opens the door to meditation is a good introduction.
Register through the retreat center
Price, lodging and schedule are on the Art of Living Retreat Center program page.
Arrive rested
Breathwork can feel energizing; a good night’s sleep beforehand helps.

Part of the meditation retreat guide by Andrew Keaveney.

Looking for breathwork classes online? The programs listed on andrewkeaveney.com are residential retreats, not ongoing online breathwork classes. See the FAQ below for what is available online.

Breathwork questions

What is a breathwork retreat?

A breathwork retreat is a residential program built around guided breathing practices, often paired with meditation. The breath is used to calm the nervous system and settle the mind before sitting quietly. Andrew Keaveney teaches a Breathwork and Meditation Retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, listed for November 5 to 8.

More in the full FAQ

What is the difference between breathwork and meditation?

Breathwork is active: you consciously guide the rhythm and depth of your breathing. Meditation is more receptive: you rest attention and let the mind settle. Andrew Keaveney has discussed on podcasts how breathwork opens the door to meditation, meaning a breathing practice can make the stillness of meditation easier to reach.

More in the full FAQ

What is SKY breath?

SKY is a breathing practice taught through Art of Living programs. Andrew Keaveney has made films about it, including Stemming Student Burnout with SKY, and appeared on a recovery podcast episode titled The Pause That Wasn’t There: Sky Breath in Recovery. For whether SKY is included in a given retreat, check the program description.

More in the full FAQ

Is breathwork safe for everyone?

Breathwork is widely practiced, but some techniques may not suit everyone, such as people who are pregnant or have certain heart, respiratory or psychiatric conditions. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns, and tell the retreat team about any health conditions before you arrive so the instruction can be adjusted for you.

More in the full FAQ

Does Andrew offer online breathwork classes?

The programs listed on andrewkeaveney.com are residential retreats in Boone, North Carolina, not ongoing online breathwork classes. Andrew does share free guided meditations and talks online, and his Intuitive Life Scan sessions can be held online. For other online options, check his website or Substack for current offerings.

More in the full FAQ

Can breathwork help calm the nervous system?

Many practitioners use breathwork for exactly that. Andrew Keaveney appeared on a podcast episode titled How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just Breathe) and another on the healing power of breath. Breathwork is a practice for well-being, not a medical treatment, so keep working with your clinician for any diagnosed condition.

More in the full FAQ

Breathe, then sit

Join Andrew Keaveney's Breathwork & Meditation Retreat in Boone, NC.

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