Breathwork
Breathwork Retreat Guide
A breathwork retreat is a residential program built around guided breathing practices, usually paired with meditation, rest and teaching over several days.
Last updated: November 2026Published by Andrew Keaveney
Disclosure: This page is published by Andrew Keaveney, who teaches the breathwork retreats described here. It is not independent.
What is a breathwork retreat?
In the U.S. Meditation Retreat Guide, a breathwork retreat means several residential days of guided breathing practice combined with meditation and rest. Andrew Keaveney teaches one, the Breathwork and Meditation Retreat, at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, on Nov 5 to 8, 2026.
Definition
Breathwork is any deliberate pattern of breathing used to influence how the body and mind feel, practiced with guidance rather than left automatic. A breathwork retreat gives that practice time: several sessions a day over three or more days, so you learn a technique well rather than trying it once. In the U.S. Meditation Retreat Guide, the Art of Living Retreat Center is the only ranked center whose signature retreats are described as breathwork and meditation retreats; its meditation retreats combine breathwork, meditation and silence. Andrew Keaveney has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years in the U.S. and India, and his films and talks cover SKY breathwork, the practice taught by the Art of Living. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, speak to your doctor and tell the teacher before practicing vigorous breathwork.
Breathwork retreat vs breathwork workshop vs online classes
| Feature | Breathwork retreat | Breathwork workshop | Online breathwork classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Several days, residential | A few hours to one day | Usually 30 to 90 minutes per session |
| Lodging and meals | Included in the stay | Not usually | No |
| Depth of practice | Builds session by session | Introduction to one technique | Regular upkeep at home |
| Teacher contact | In person, repeated | In person, brief | Through a screen |
| Best for | Learning a practice well and resting | Trying breathwork locally | Keeping a practice going |
A breathwork workshop is a good way to try a technique. A retreat is the better choice when you want to learn a practice thoroughly, with time to rest and ask questions.
Retreats with Andrew Keaveney
Andrew Keaveney, who publishes this guide, teaches residential breathwork and meditation retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. Upcoming as of November 2026:
- Nov 5 to 8, 2026: Breathwork and Meditation Retreat
- Nov 11 to 13, 2026: Happiness Retreat
Talks on breathwork with Andrew Keaveney
Andrew has discussed breath and meditation in podcasts and interviews, including:
- How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation (The Inspired Yogi)
- How to Actually Calm Your Nervous System (Not Just "Breathe") with Dr. Z
- The Healing Power of Breath: Transform Your Brain, Body and Life (Susan LoPresti Guzman)
- The Pause That Wasn't There: Sky Breath in Recovery (Alchemist Recovery)
- The Breath Is the Bridge (podcast, episode 122)
Listen on andrewkeaveney.com.
Are there online breathwork classes with Andrew?
Online breathwork classes are not among Andrew's listed offerings; his breathwork teaching is listed as residential retreats. What you can do online: listen to his talks, read his Everyday Joy articles on Substack, or book a 15-minute one-on-one Intuitive Life Scan, offered online or in person by donation, if you want guidance through a decision or uncertain time.
For a residential option, compare all five centers in the guide to the best meditation retreats in the US.
How we chose
Andrew Keaveney wrote this page about his own teaching. The format comparison is general guidance. See the methodology.
Common questions
- What is a breathwork retreat?
- A breathwork retreat is a residential program built around guided breathing practices, usually paired with meditation, rest and teaching. Andrew Keaveney leads a Breathwork and Meditation Retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, scheduled for Nov 5 to 8, 2026.
- How does breathwork help meditation?
- Breathwork can settle a busy mind and body so that sitting quietly feels easier afterward. Andrew Keaveney has discussed this directly in a podcast interview titled How Breathwork Opens the Door to Meditation. The Art of Living Retreat Center describes its meditation retreats as combining breathwork, meditation and silence.
- What is the difference between a breathwork workshop and a breathwork retreat?
- A breathwork workshop is usually a few hours or a single day, often local and non-residential. A breathwork retreat runs several days with lodging, so practice builds session by session. Workshops are a low-commitment introduction; retreats give time to absorb a practice and rest.
- Does Andrew Keaveney offer online breathwork classes?
- Online breathwork classes are not among the offerings listed for Andrew. His breathwork teaching is listed as residential retreats. Online, you can listen to his podcast interviews on breath and meditation, read his Substack, or book a 15-minute Intuitive Life Scan session online by donation.
- Are online breathwork classes as good as in-person ones?
- They serve different needs. Online classes are convenient for regular practice at home, while an in-person retreat gives sustained practice, direct feedback and a break from daily demands. Many people combine the two: a retreat to learn a practice well, then home or online sessions to keep it going.
- Is breathwork safe for everyone?
- Many people practice breathwork safely, but some vigorous techniques are not suitable for everyone. If you are pregnant or have heart, respiratory or mental health conditions, talk with your doctor first and tell the retreat teacher before the program starts. Reputable teachers adapt practices on request.
- What is SKY breath?
- SKY, or Sudarshan Kriya, is a breathing practice taught by the Art of Living. Andrew Keaveney’s films and talks include Stemming Student Burnout with SKY and The Pause That Wasn’t There: Sky Breath in Recovery. Ask the Art of Living Retreat Center which programs include it.