Simplicity in a Complex World: Sewall House is Steeped in History

© COURTESY OF SEWALL HOUSE YOGA RETREAT

Simplicity in a Complex World: Sewall House is Steeped in History

Sewall House Yoga Retreat has been a sanctuary for wellness since 1997. This historic haven in the quaint town of Island Falls, Maine, was where a young Theodore Roosevelt once found solace and healing from asthma.

Sewall House was providing a serene escape long before the modern trend of wellness retreats. The house, a National Historic Registry home, offers a nurturing oasis with its boutique setting. With only six guest bedrooms—two featuring private baths and one with a soaking tub—guests can enjoy an intimate and personalized retreat experience.

Donna Davidge, the owner and founder, has been a pioneer in the wellness community. With a Master’s degree in Nutrition and nearly four decades of teaching Yoga and Meditation in New York City, Donna brings a wealth of knowledge and a personal touch to each retreat. The Sewall family legacy continues through her, honoring her great-grandfather William Sewall, a nature guide and close friend to Theodore Roosevelt.

DAILY RITUALS

Continuing the traditions started by her great-grandfather, a typical day at Sewall House begins with morning meditation overlooking the local river and a yoga session in the converted studio. Guests are treated to three healthy meals a day, with recipes featured in Sewall House’s cookbooks, which are available on their website. Evening yoga classes and a sauna session offer relaxation and rejuvenation.

Outdoor enthusiasts can kayak on a pristine seven-milelong lake, visit local waterfalls, and hike Mount Chase. For the more adventurous, Baxter State Park, home to Mount Katahdin, offers a variety of wilderness hikes. Wood walks and biking are also popular activities.

Sewall House prides itself on offering tailored experiences to meet each guest’s needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yoga practitioner, the retreat offers a range of yoga styles, from the active Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Ashtangainformed morning classes to the more relaxed Restorative, Yin, and Kundalini Yoga in the evening. Massage and individual healing sessions are available to enhance your retreat experience further.

A PLACE TO GET AWAY

Guests often choose Sewall House as a safe place to step away from life’s pressures, especially during personal, professional, or health-related transitions. Special dietary needs, such as gluten-free options, can be accommodated for a small additional fee.

Sewall House is easily accessible with flights to Bangor, Maine, and shuttle services are available for a fee. While a five-night stay is recommended, guests can customize their retreat duration, choosing from three to seven nights. Sewall House also offers a variety of workshops throughout the season, including a Vegan Cooking workshop from September 8-13 and the annual Yoga and Writing Workshop with Maria Massei-Rosato from October 10-15.

Sewall House has been featured in many publications, most recently in Conde Naste Traveler , in the USA Today Voters Choice Top Ten Retreats, Travel & Leisure In-Style and Yoga Journal , to name a few. On top of that, their reviews on Google and Trip Advisor speak to the positivity within this nurturing getaway.

For more information or to book your retreat, visit sewallhouse.com call 646-316-5151, or email info@sewallhouse.com.