Research
Meditation retreats by the numbers
Published by Andrew Keaveney. Last updated November 2026.
Research finds traditional meditation retreats moderately effective, and surveys show most meditators keep a short daily practice. This page, collected by The Stillness Library, sets out each published figure with its source so you can check it yourself.
Are meditation retreats effective, according to research?
Yes, moderately. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Khoury and colleagues found traditional meditation retreats produced a Hedge's g of 0.49 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.61) in 14 studies that compared retreats with controls, and 0.45 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.54) in 19 pre-post studies. Both results were statistically significant (p below 0.00001).
Statistics
The published numbers
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Retreat effect vs controls | Hedge’s g 0.49 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.61), 14 studies | Khoury et al., meta-analysis |
| Retreat effect, pre-post | Hedge’s g 0.45 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.54), 19 studies | Khoury et al., meta-analysis |
| Role of mindfulness | Mindfulness levels predicted 50% of improvements in outcomes | Khoury et al., meta-analysis |
| Daily practice | 61.6% of practitioners meditate daily | Mindful Leader, 2026 report |
| Session length | 10 to 20 minutes is most common (36.2%) | Mindful Leader, 2026 report |
Interpretation
What these numbers mean for choosing a retreat
A Hedge's g near 0.5 is conventionally read as a moderate effect: noticeable, not miraculous. The finding that mindfulness levels predicted half of the improvement suggests that what you practice during a retreat matters, not just time away. The survey data adds a practical point: most people who keep meditating do it daily, in 10 to 20 minute sessions. A retreat plus a short daily practice afterwards is the pattern these numbers point to.
These figures describe meditation retreats and practitioners in general. They are not measurements of Andrew Keaveney's programs.
Numbers
Andrew Keaveney's own figures
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Years teaching breathwork and meditation | Over 17, in the U.S. and India |
| Years studying at an ashram in India | 4 (yoga, meditation and Sanskrit) |
| Residential retreats on the current schedule | 2, in Boone, NC |
| Films | 21 |
| Guided meditations | 2 (10 and 15 minutes) |
| Podcast appearances | 8 video conversations and 3 audio podcasts |
See how these fit together on the meditation retreats with Andrew Keaveney page.
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Do meditation retreats actually work?
- Published research suggests they help. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Khoury and colleagues found traditional meditation retreats moderately effective, with a Hedge’s g of 0.45 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.54) across 19 pre-post studies and 0.49 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.61) across 14 studies comparing retreats with controls. The paper is listed on PubMed.
- What is the difference between a meditation retreat and daily practice?
- A retreat is a concentrated block of guided practice over several days, while daily practice is a short session fitted into ordinary life. Mindful Leader’s 2026 Meditation Practice Report found 61.6% of practitioners meditate daily, most often for 10 to 20 minutes. Many people use a retreat to deepen practice and short guided sessions to keep it going at home.
- How long should a meditation session be?
- There is no single right length, but 10 to 20 minutes is the most common. Mindful Leader’s 2026 Meditation Practice Report found 36.2% of practitioners choose that range and 61.6% meditate daily. Andrew’s 10 and 15 minute guided meditations fit inside that window.
- How long are Andrew’s guided meditations?
- The two guided meditations listed are 10 minutes and 15 minutes long. That matches common practice: Mindful Leader’s 2026 Meditation Practice Report found 10 to 20 minutes is the most common session length, reported by 36.2% of practitioners. Both sessions are free on YouTube.
- How long has Andrew been teaching meditation?
- Andrew has taught breathwork and meditation for over 17 years, in both the U.S. and India. That teaching followed four years of study in yoga, meditation and Sanskrit at an ashram in India. Today he regularly teaches residential retreats at the Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, North Carolina.
Read all questions about meditation retreats, breathwork and guided audio