Parents, need a destination for some quiet? The Art of Living Retreat Center
Up a winding road in Boone, North Carolina, the world starts to fade away. At a mountain center, peace and quiet abound and wellness is at the core of every activity.
The Art of Living Retreat Center is a most unique place. In a world that values hustle and productivity and fast everything (work, food and fashion), the approach at this sprawling 380-acre site is quite the opposite. The facilities were first developed as a transcendental meditation center in the 1990s before it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. (The Vedic architecture is still evident at buildings throughout the campus.) Local kids even turned the main meditation hall into a makeshift indoor skatepark at one point in its existence.
In 2011, it was bought at auction and the transformation began, both of the facilities and in many cases, for those who visit. Now one of several nonprofit centers across the world, Art of Living teaches yoga, meditation and wellness in the Ayruveda tradition. The site also hosts a wide variety of retreat programs featuring presenters who teach about a range of topics including healthy eating, yoga, writing, physical health and spiritual growth across several traditions.
In addition to retreats featuring specific presenters, guests can sign up for wellness escapes, meditation retreats or rest and relaxation retreats that allow for a menu of options including spa treatments, health classes, yoga, meditation and more.
What’s here? Quiet, for starters. The campus does host silent meditation retreats (and not-quite-silent introductions to that practice) but the setting seems to inspire a lower volume all around – and notably, most programs are for ages 18 and older. There are plenty of opportunities to learn something new, challenge yourself mentally and physically, rest and rejuvenate or just take a pause from the rest of the world. In the process, the mountain views just might take your breath away.
Get the details at artoflivingretreatcenter.org.
Tips:
Check the online schedule for diverse programs from presenters. Included in the fall schedule are “Grief is Love” author Marisa Renee Lee, yoga teacher and body positivity advocate Jessamyn Stanley, “Eat to Live” author Joel Fuhrman and more.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. With so many yoga classes on the schedule, casual gear is everywhere and welcome. Though a shuttle runs regularly between locations, the roads can be steep in places. (If you have mobility issues, be sure to talk with staff when you make your reservation.) Hiking trails and a grassy labyrinth are also available for use.
Don’t miss the food. Meals are part of the program here and all are served buffet style. Dishes are vegan or vegetarian and are designed to nourish guests without sacrificing flavor. Some dishes might even include produce from the center’s organic garden. If available during your visit, attend a seasonal cooking demonstration.
Be curious. Try something new and ask questions along the way. Some staff members live on site and all seem warm and eager to help. Sign up for a class in the clay studio – no experience required – or take a meditation class that can inspire a start to this stress reducing practice at home.
Wellness escapes are available that are tailored to couples, men, women, mother/daughter pairs, and more.
Need a reset and possibly a whole new attitude? Check out the happiness retreats that are a signature program of the center.
If you can’t find a program with a preset schedule that suits you, try the rest and relaxation retreat, which allows guests to build a program with as much or as little as they prefer. Spa treatments, including massage and aromatherapy, can be included.
The center is about two hours from Asheville and nearly three hours from Greenville, but the weather can be quite different in Boone. Dress accordingly and bring a rain jacket and layers, no matter what time of year you visit.
Accommodations allow for choices. Some are full apartments, others are well appointed hotel rooms, and for those looking for a simpler approach, more basic retreat rooms are available.
Visiting Washington, DC this fall? The Art of Living's World Culture Festival will be held at the National Mall Sept. 29 – Oct. 1. The event will include music, food and more from cultures around the world. For details, visit wcf.artofliving.org.
The basics:
The Art of Living Retreat Center, 639 Whispering Hills Road, Boone, North Carolina. (Check the website for directions or use Google maps, not GPS.)
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: A parent destination for some quiet: The Art of Living Retreat Center
