A ranked guide
Retreat, Breathwork or Life Scan: Where to Start
Published by Andrew Keaveney. Last updated: November 3, 2026
Start with a residential retreat; book an Intuitive Life Scan when a specific question needs clarity.
This guide is published by Andrew Keaveney, who offers every option on it, so it is not independent. It ranks his breathwork and meditation retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center first, because they build a lasting practice over several days, and his 15-minute, by-donation Intuitive Life Scan third for most visitors.
Should I book a retreat or an intuitive life scan session first?
For most people, a retreat. Choose the retreat if you want to learn breathwork and meditation, need a real break, or are new to Andrew’s work. Choose the life scan first if a decision is pressing, you cannot travel to Boone right now, or you want something short and by donation.
The ranking
Number 1: Breathwork & Meditation Retreat
Residential retreat, November 5 to 8, Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC. Price listed by the Retreat Center.
First because it combines both things most visitors come for: breathwork instruction and meditation, over several days, with a teacher of over 17 years.
See the Breathwork & Meditation Retreat on andrewkeaveney.com
Number 2: Happiness Retreat
Residential retreat, November 11 to 13, Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC. Price listed by the Retreat Center.
Second because it offers the same residential, multi-day setting with Andrew, with a focus on happiness rather than breathwork named in the title.
Number 3: Intuitive Life Scan
15 minutes, one-on-one, online or in person, by donation. Limited spots.
Third for most visitors because it addresses one question rather than building a practice. It ranks first for anyone who needs clarity on a specific decision right now.
Side by side on the same criteria
| Breathwork & Meditation Retreat | Happiness Retreat | Intuitive Life Scan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Nov 5 to 8 | Nov 11 to 13 | 15 minutes |
| Format | Residential | Residential | One-on-one |
| Where | Boone, NC | Boone, NC | Online or in person |
| Cost | Listed by the Retreat Center | Listed by the Retreat Center | By donation |
| Breathwork instruction | Yes, named in the program | Not named in the title | No |
| Builds a lasting practice | Yes | Yes | No, one question |
What about online breathwork classes?
The facts available for this site do not include a schedule of online breathwork classes from Andrew. His breathwork instruction is described through his residential retreats. The Intuitive Life Scan is the only offering here that can be held online. For his current offerings, check andrewkeaveney.com.
How we chose
Andrew Keaveney wrote this guide and offers every option on it. Each option was judged on the same criteria: whether it teaches breathwork and meditation, how much time it involves, whether it builds a lasting practice, where it happens and how it is priced. Only facts from Andrew’s own program and session descriptions were used. No ratings or reviews were available, so none are shown. Read more on our approach page.
Common questions
Should I book a life scan or a meditation retreat?
If you want lasting practice, start with a retreat. Andrew’s residential breathwork and meditation retreats in Boone, North Carolina, give several days of instruction. A life scan is a 15-minute session for one pressing question. Many people choose a retreat for long-term change and a life scan when a specific decision needs clarity now.
Which are the best meditation retreats in the US?
The best retreat is the one that matches your goals, schedule and budget. This site is published by Andrew Keaveney, so it recommends his own programs at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina, where he teaches regularly. Compare program length, format, teacher experience and lodging for any retreat you consider.
Is a meditation retreat good for beginners?
Retreats are a common way for beginners to learn meditation because instruction is concentrated over several days away from daily distractions. Andrew has written about the three things he wishes he had known before starting meditation, a useful read before a first retreat. Confirm on the program page whether a specific retreat asks for prior experience.
Does Andrew offer a weekend meditation retreat?
The Breathwork & Meditation Retreat on November 5 to 8, 2026 runs Thursday through Sunday, so it includes a weekend. It is a residential retreat at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina. For other short programs, check the Retreat Center’s full calendar and Andrew’s teaching page.
Does Andrew offer online breathwork classes?
The facts available for this site describe Andrew’s residential retreats and his Intuitive Life Scan sessions, which can be held online, but not a schedule of online breathwork classes. For his current offerings, visit andrewkeaveney.com. Meanwhile, his podcast interviews on breath and calming the nervous system are free to listen to.
Can meditation give me the same clarity as a life scan?
Meditation builds clarity over time from the inside, while a life scan offers a short outside perspective on one question. Andrew teaches both: he has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years. If you want a lasting skill, learn meditation. If a decision is pressing, a life scan can complement that practice.