I recently discovered the beautiful space upstairs that holds a yoga studio and restaurant called…read moreRooted. I plan to go to a class soon. While reading previous reviews, I found one where the author found fault with the business because the owner wasn't especially excited about giving out yet another freebie to a solicitor. Having owned and operated a business for 18 years, I can tell you the amount of people who just walked into my small business asking for free stuff to auction or give away was overwhelming. None of them understood how difficult it is to make ends meet, they just assumed it was easy. Most had no prior appointment, they just showed up and lots of times I was too busy but had to put down my work to attend to them. I was always generous. But for my business to survive, I needed to protect it. It's like you start off with a fluff of cotton but little by little tufts get pulled off until after so many years go by, there is a dwindled down fluff- don't be mindful and soon nothing will be left. Now, in my opinion, being a yogini and being a business woman is not at odds with each other. In fact, having a business that is providing such a useful service to the community calls for even more protective measures. It is part of being able to continue to bring spiritual guidance and physical health to Boone. That is a big responsibility! If the owner didn't handle the request skillfully, perhaps she was tired and overwhelmed. Teachers are human too. They can have bad days and maybe on that day the solicitor was the one straw too many. That the previous reviewer states they'll never go back because they were dismissed and chose to do harm by leaving a bad review tells me they weren't there for the yoga. They were there to feel good about themselves being a do- gooder. Maybe check up on yourself.

Beautiful atmosphere great teacher really enjoyed my classes there. They run a beautiful operation.read more

Hi I would like to address Sandy H of the JUNE 30, 2025 review of the Silent Meditation Retreat. In…read moreit she headed it with: "it's Cult, STAY AWAY". LOL She also stated "...we noticed a level of unquestioning reverence for the AOL founder that felt more like cultish devotion than the pursuit of wisdom". And "...In our view, AOL does not represent a genuine path toward spiritual growth. For those seeking meaningful insight, authors like Alan Watts..." etc. I've been on this spiritual path for 50 years! yeah forever! hahahha - and I love Alan Watts and Ramana Maharishi and some of the other great Advaita teachers and lectures. And after 30 years of meditation and even teaching meditation, I also took the "Silent Retreat Course" several time and frankly - IT CHANGED MY LIFE. I FINALLY GOT WHAT SILENCE ACTUALLY MEANT. As far as it being a cult - Well everything can be considered a cult if one is devoted to it. Have you every been to one of those "Krishna Das cults" hahahahha? I live here on the mountain near the Retreat Center, I'm not a teacher nor a "cult member" lol. I'm just happy here with the knowledge I've gained here at the retreats. As far a Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder is concerned - Yes, he's my Guru, so was my mother. But the beauty of Sri Sri was that he (by example) showed me what SILENCE REALLY MEANT. So I would encourage people who want to come here to this beautiful retreat to remember that the PURPOSE of words, critical thinking, spiritual discourse is Silence and rejoicing in your own Being. Conversation is nice, interesting But the revelation of Silence is inner peace and true wisdom. (in my humble opinion :D ) and for sure my dogs love it here too! :D

If you or anyone in your group has mobility challenges, please think twice before booking here. The…read moreArt of Living Retreat Center in Boone is on a steep, uneven property and is not wheelchair-accessible, despite what you might assume from a "wellness" center. We let them know in advance we were bringing a wheelchair. Yet we received a non-accessible room, no toilet riser, and no shower chair until I asked in person. The shuttle can't take a wheelchair, the handicap parking is gravel (where my husband fell), and there's no accessible route to the dining hall or restrooms. When I explained how unsafe and disappointing this was, the staff offered no empathy--just said they were "grandfathered in" for ADA compliance and don't even offer to comp the unused night. We left early, exhausted and disheartened. I've never encountered a place so out of touch with accessibility and hospitality.

This was the perfect experience. Sandy listened carefully to how I wanted my hair cut and the…read moreresult is first rate. She is attentive, friendly and professional. First rate!