Art of Living Retreat Center

What Art of Living Retreat Center does

Art of Living Retreat Center is a 380-acre wellness destination in Boone, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, opened in 2012 as an outgrowth of the Art of Living Foundation (founded 1981 by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar). The center operates as a nonprofit with 51–100 employees, offering a portfolio of multi-day signature retreats built around SKY breathwork, meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda. Core programs include the Happiness Retreat, Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, Stepping Into Silence, Dive Deep Into Silence, Sacred Mountain Yoga, Sri Sri Yoga Deep Dive, and a 21-Day 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, alongside flexible R&R (Rest & Relaxation) self-guided stays and the Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa (Panchakarma cleanses, Abhyanga, Shirodhara).

The business generates revenue through five streams: retreat program fees (one-time purchases ranging from $770+ for a 3–4 night Back to Nature retreat to higher Panchakarma and teacher training tiers), Shankara Ayurveda spa services, R&R multi-night stays, corporate/nonprofit event hosting and external retreat leader rentals (capacity up to 600 guests), and on-campus retail/dining (Heavenly Shop & Cafe, Purna Dining Hall). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via website (RetreatGuru integration) and phone (800.392.6870), with a formal Referral Partnership program on ReferralRock offering $100 per converted referral, and an Event Inquiry Form for group sales. Digital extensions include the Art of Living Journey mobile app (iOS/Android), Virtual Clinic consultations, On-Demand Programs, and a weekly SKY practice via Zoom, providing continuity between campus visits.

The center targets a diversified base of individual wellness seekers, couples, girlfriend and mother-daughter groups, men's groups, solo travelers, yoga teachers, Art of Living program graduates, external retreat leaders, and corporate/nonprofit groups. The graduate pathway (Happiness → Breathwork → Silence → Dive Deep), graduate Facebook group, weekly SKY practice, and volunteer programs (Resident 3-month, Special Events, Local) drive multi-year retention. The center holds 4.7 stars on TripAdvisor (600+ reviews) and 4.9 on Google (1,800+ reviews), and has been featured in CNN, HuffPost, Washington Post, Yoga Journal, Travel + Leisure, Afar, Forbes, Oprah Daily, and Condé Nast Traveler.

Name

Art of Living Retreat Center

Legal name

Art of Living Retreat Center

Website

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Art of Living Retreat Center is a 380-acre nonprofit wellness destination in Boone, North Carolina, offering multi-day meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, and Panchakarma retreats, an award-winning Ayurvedic spa, corporate event hosting, and a digital practice app, serving individual wellness seekers, couples, groups, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wellness Retreat Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine Retreats (THAGAMAF), Wellness & Retreat Stays (Yoga, Spa, Detox) (THAMADAJ), Wellness Retreats & Immersions (Multi-day, Digital Detox, Mind-Body Programs) (THAJAHAB), Detox & Weight-Management Retreats (THAGAMAD), Holistic & Alternative Therapy Retreats (Naturopathy, Energy Work) (THAGAMAI)

Keywords

• Wellness retreats
• Meditation programs
• Yoga teacher training
• Ayurveda spa services
• Corporate offsites

Headquarters

HQ city

Boone

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retreat Programs: Revenue is generated through multi-day signature retreat programs including meditation retreats (Happiness Retreat, Breathwork & Meditation Retreat, Stepping Into Silence Retreat, Dive Deep Into Silence Retreat), yoga retreats (Sacred Mountain Yoga Retreat, Sri Sri Yoga Deep Dive, 21-Day 200h Yoga Teacher Training), and Panchakarma 8-Day Cleanse wellness retreats. Programs range from 3-night midweek resets to multi-week teacher training.
2. Spa & Wellness Services: The Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa generates revenue through Ayurvedic treatments, cleanses, and restorative spa services. Wellness retreat packages combining accommodations, treatments, and meals are offered for solo travelers, couples, and groups (girlfriends, mother-daughter, men's).
3. R&R (Rest & Relaxation) Stays: Self-guided flexible retreat stays with access to campus amenities, daily schedule of yoga, meditation, workshops, and activities. Guests can book individual nights or multi-night stays.
4. Event & Group Hosting: The center hosts external retreat leaders, corporate groups, nonprofit offsites, and conference organizers on a fee-for-service basis. The venue accommodates up to 600 guests and includes purpose-built retreat spaces, dining, and accommodations.
5. Retail & Dining: Revenue from the Heavenly Shop & Cafe (clothing, jewelry, media, yoga accessories, snacks, smoothies) and dining hall meals. The Purna Dining Hall serves vegetarian, plant-based cuisine. Meals are included as part of retreat packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Art of Living Retreat Center runs a multi-day wellness retreat operation on a 380-acre Blue Ridge Mountains campus in Boone, North Carolina, delivering signature meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda programs (including Panchakarma cleanses and Yoga Teacher Training certification), flexible Rest & Relaxation stays, Ayurvedic spa treatments at Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa, and group event hosting for corporate and nonprofit offsites. The center is sustained by the Art of Living Foundation's content lineage of breathwork, SKY meditation, and silence retreats, with revenue coming primarily from retreat bookings and spa services and supplemented by group venue hire, retail, dining, and donations.

Product overview

Art of Living Retreat Center is a 380-acre wellness destination in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains offering a comprehensive portfolio of retreat experiences. The core offerings include Signature Meditation Retreats (Happiness, Breathwork & Meditation, Stepping Into Silence, Dive Deep Into Silence), Yoga Retreats (Sacred Mountain, Sri Sri Yoga Deep Dive, 200-Hour Teacher Training), and flexible R&R (Rest & Relaxation) Retreats. The center features the award-winning Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa offering Panchakarma cleanses and specialized wellness retreats (Couples, Girlfriends, Mother-Daughter, Men's, Solo, Back to Nature, Weekend of Creativity). Additional offerings include Guest Presenter programs, Event Hosting services for corporate and group gatherings, a mobile application (Art of Living Journey App) for daily guided practice, and a Referral Partnership Program. The integrated product ecosystem allows guests to progress from introductory retreats to advanced programs, with pathways for ongoing practice through volunteerism and graduate events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa: Award-winning Ayurvedic wellness spa offering personalized treatments, cleanses, and restorative therapies including Panchakarma, recognized as Best Ayurvedic Program and Best Detox Program by Organic Spa Magazine.

Products and services

• Happiness Retreat Signature stress-reducing meditation and breathwork retreat focused on optimal health and happiness, available to adults seeking foundational Art of Living practices.
• Breathwork & Meditation Retreat Retreat combining breathwork with personal mantra-based meditation to improve mental clarity, focus, and emotional well-being.
• Stepping Into Silence Retreat Guided meditation and reflective silence retreat for deep inner peace and personal growth, with a special enhanced edition featuring an in-person master session with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (July 15–19, 2024).
• Dive Deep Into Silence Retreat Art of Living Part II silent retreat for deep rest and restoration; available to graduates of prior programs who have completed the foundational retreats.
• Sacred Mountain Yoga Retreat Weekend yoga retreat bringing authentic yoga teachings to life through movement, breathwork, and timeless practices in the Blue Ridge Mountains setting.
• Sri Sri Yoga Deep Dive Retreat Advanced yoga retreat exploring deeper realms of yoga philosophy and practice for continued personal transformation.
• Sri Sri Yoga Teacher Training (200-Hour) 21-day intensive 200-hour yoga teacher training certification program preparing graduates to become certified yoga teachers.
• R&R (Rest & Relaxation) Retreats Flexible self-guided retreat experience offering space to rest, recharge, and reconnect with access to campus amenities and the daily activity schedule, including the Midweek Reset (3 nights for the price of 2).
• Guest Presenters Program Multi-day retreat programs hosted by respected guest teachers offering fresh perspectives, personal growth, and meaningful connections.
• Shankara Ayurveda Wellness Spa Award-winning Ayurvedic wellness spa offering personalized treatments, cleanses, and restorative therapies including Panchakarma, Abhyanga, and Shirodhara, recognized as Best Ayurvedic Program and Best Detox Program by Organic Spa Magazine.
• Panchakarma 8-Day Cleanse Signature Ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation program for cleansing and restoring balance over an 8-day intensive.
• Couples Wellness Retreat All-inclusive Ayurvedic wellness retreat designed for couples seeking renewal together through treatments, meals, and shared wellness experiences.
• Girlfriends Wellness Retreat All-inclusive Ayurvedic wellness retreat designed for groups of women friends seeking shared self-care, creativity, and connection.
• Mother-Daughter Wellness Retreat All-inclusive Ayurvedic wellness retreat designed for mothers and daughters offering bonding experiences through yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments.
• Men's Wellness Retreat Wellness retreat tailored specifically for men's fitness, relaxation, emotional well-being, and holistic health.
• Discover Ayurveda Solo Retreat Solo wellness retreat for individuals to explore and experience Ayurvedic principles independently.
• Rejuvenating Bliss Solo Retreat Solo wellness retreat focused on rejuvenation and bliss through Ayurvedic practices for individual travelers.
• Back to Nature Wellness Retreat Nature-based wellness retreat featuring mountain hikes, meditation, yoga, and Ayurvedic massage, starting at $770 per person (single occupancy).
• Weekend of Creativity Retreat Creative retreat featuring pottery, clay building, and Ayurvedic cooking classes combined with wellness practices, starting at $1,008 per person (single occupancy).
• Virtual Clinic Online Ayurvedic consultation services for remote wellness guidance and dosha-based personal recommendations.
• On-Demand Programs Self-paced digital wellness programs available for remote access at any time.
• Event Hosting Services Corporate offsites, conferences, nonprofit offsites, training/coaching events, and venue rental for outside retreat leaders, accommodating up to 600 guests across purpose-built retreat spaces, dining, and accommodations.
• Art of Living Journey App Mobile application (iOS/Android) providing daily guided home practice with SKY meditation and breathwork techniques, featuring a 14-day free trial membership and on-demand content.

Quantifiable outcome

• High guest satisfaction: 4.7 stars on TripAdvisor (600+ reviews) and 4.9 stars on Google (1,800+ reviews)

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Referral Partners (yoga teachers, wellness influencers, travel advisors)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe center operates a Referral Partnerships program through ReferralRock where partners receive a unique referral URL, offer $100 off to referred clients, and earn $100 per completed referral. Partners include yoga teachers, wellness influencers, and travel advisors who promote the center's retreats to their audiences.
• Art of Living FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Art of Living Retreat Center is part of the Art of Living Foundation, founded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The center offers signature programs rooted in the Art of Living lineage (SKY breathwork, Happiness Retreat, silence retreats), and the Foundation provides the spiritual framework, teacher training, and global brand recognition that underpin the center's offerings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: A large nonprofit yoga and retreat center in Stockbridge, MA, offering signature yoga, meditation, and wellness programs on a 100+ acre campus. Directly comparable to AOL as a North American destination retreat with diversified meditation, yoga, and Ayurveda-adjacent programming.
• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: A nonprofit holistic learning retreat in Rhinebeck, NY offering workshops, retreats, and wellness programs on a 195-acre campus. Comparable as a large retreat destination with meditation, yoga, and personal development programs.
• Esalen Institute: A nonprofit retreat center in Big Sur, California known for personal growth, meditation, and holistic wellness workshops. Comparable as a high-profile destination retreat with similar philosophical lineage and program structure.
• Shambhala Mountain Center: A meditation and contemplative retreat center in the Colorado Rockies offering Shambhala Buddhist-influenced programs. Comparable as a mountain destination retreat combining meditation, yoga, and contemplative practice.
• 1440 Multiversity: A nonprofit retreat and learning center in Scotts Valley, CA offering personal development, wellness, and mindfulness programs on a purpose-built campus. Comparable as a destination retreat for adults combining wellness with corporate offsites and group hosting.

Broad incumbents

• Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa: A destination wellness resort in Tucson offering all-inclusive wellness retreats including meditation, yoga, spa, and Ayurveda. Comparable as a premium mountain/desert retreat destination with overlapping meditation, yoga, and Ayurvedic programming.
• Canyon Ranch: A high-end destination wellness resort with locations in Tucson, Lenox, and Woodside offering comprehensive wellness programs including Ayurveda, meditation, and yoga. Comparable as an established premium wellness retreat brand at higher price points.
• The Lodge at Woodloch: A destination spa resort in Hawley, PA offering all-inclusive wellness retreats including yoga, meditation, and spa packages. Comparable as a Northeast US destination retreat with similar inclusive-pricing wellness offerings.
• Cal-a-Vie Health Spa: A luxury destination spa in Vista, CA offering wellness retreats incorporating yoga, meditation, fitness, and spa services. Comparable as a high-end destination retreat combining wellness programming with luxury lodging.

Emerging players

• Chopra Center (Chopra Global): Founded by Deepak Chopra, offers meditation retreats, Ayurveda, and digital wellness content. Directly comparable as an Ayurveda- and meditation-anchored wellness brand with both retreat programs and digital/app monetization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ArtofLivingRetreatCenterBoone
• Facebookfacebook.com/AolRetreat
• Instagraminstagram.com/artoflivingboone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/art-of-living-retreat-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Art of Living Retreat Center