6 Day Relaxing Meditation and Yoga Retreat in Island Falls, Maine
TOP 10 Conde Nast Traveler '24 and USA TODAY '23 Yoga and Meditation Retreat in USA
Sewall House Yoga Retreat just got voted #2 again by USA Today voter contest 2 years in a row! Situated in the bucolic town of Island Falls, Maine (and near Majestic mount Katahdin where the sun first hits the East Coast), Sewall House Yoga Retreat is run by veteran (40 years of teaching) Yogini Donna Davidge and her amazing yogi staff. The holiday offers New England's charm combined with history. In this house, the man who would become President, Theodore Roosevelt experienced the healing powers of nature. While enjoying the views of the same woods and lakes, you will relax during your personalized stay in Sewall House, making new friendships while enjoying introspective time in your private bedroom as desired.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 2 daily yoga classes
- 2 daily meditation sessions
- All levels of yoga practitioners welcomed
- Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, and Vinyasa yoga practices
- Daily vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 5 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Beginner
Yoga styles
Bangor International Airport (US$ 110 per person)
Accommodation
Facilities
- Hot tub / Jacuzzi
- Sauna
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Picnic area
- Free Wi-Fi
It has been discovered that since Sewall House Yoga Retreat opened in 1997, it especially seems to be a good choice for people going through some sort of change in their life, whether it be work-related, relationship, or health-related. People also choose this venue because it's in Maine in a uniquely inviting historic home. Guests have also shared that a smaller number of attendees feels less like a "university" compared to some of the larger yoga retreats.
Each room is uniquely furnished with antiques and comfortable mattresses on full sized beds. Singles have a private room and couples and friends can share a room with one bed. There are six private bedrooms, five of them with antique full-size beds and one room with a Queen size bed. There are four full bathrooms, three shared, and two rooms with a private bathroom.
There is also a sauna and a one-person jacuzzi bath. You can use the computer for free at the local library which is nearby. If you have your own computer, Sewall House will provide wireless internet service for a one-time fee.
Program
Sewall House is designed to support positive life changes without forcing you to adhere to a regimented program. All levels of yoga practitioners from beginner to experienced are welcome at this retreat. You can choose to be busy from dawn to dusk or have a more leisurely schedule, your time is up to you.
Please take notice all activities are optional, but Sewall House Yoga Retreat will help you plan your days as you desire. Please choose your arrival and departure days based on your schedule and needs.
Daily sample schedule
- 06:00 High octane coffee and a variety of teas, including yogi tea
- 07:30 - 08:00 Optional silent meditation
- 08:00 - 09:30 Meditation and Restorative-Hatha yoga or more active Vinyasa-Ashtanga yoga
- 10:00 Breakfast: homemade granola, fruit, toast, yogi tea / coffee, Sunday pancakes
- 10:30 - 14:00 Free time for reading, journaling, biking, walks, hiking, massage, lake tours
- 14:00 Mid-day meal, if you want lunch prepared for an outing, please take notice it's available for an extra fee
- 14:30 - 17:00 Extra time for self-study, booking a massage, or getting into the great outdoors
- 17:30 -19:00 Kundalini yoga and meditation, live guitar music, and chanting in afternoon class
- 19:00 Vegetarian dinner and dessert
- 20:00 - 22:30 Sauna and jacuzzi or just relax!
Instructors
Donna Davidge
Donna Amrita Davidge has been teaching yoga in New York City since 1985, integrating Kundalini, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Dharma yoga. She also teaches Restorative, Nidra, and meditation. She has also produced products for home use and has taught at premier yoga studios such as PURE, Golden Bridge, and the Open Center as long as at her retreat, which has operated since 1997 in Maine. Donna is a highly experienced yoga teacher with 500 hours of yoga teacher training.
Ajeet Khalsa
Ajeet has been leading Creative yoga, Mental Health, and meditation workshops for over two decades. Her teaching is insightful and diversified between the practical aspect of poses and the healing grace of gratitude. She leads you into correcting your postures which includes how to sit correctly to get the best out of your meditation body. Ajeet is also a mother, performance artist, and student of natural building and herbalism.
Retreat location
Sewall House Yoga Retreat is located in an area of Maine that was recently included in Lonely Planet’s pick 2020 of Top 5 Travel destinations in the world.
Near pristine wilderness park Baxter State and new National Monument Katahdin Woods and Waters, among other beautiful nature outings. It's located only 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Canada-United States border. The bordering town in the United States is Houlton, Maine, where your passport is required. In Canada, the bordering town is Woodstock, New Brunswick, which is 57 miles (92 kilometers) west of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. You can drive easily from New York City and Boston or Canada.
Northern Maine is not highly populated. This yoga and meditation holiday is located in a town of 700 people with two nearby lakes and Baxter State Park with its mighty Mount Katahdin. There are gift shops nearby, a number one rated 18 hole golf course, one restaurant named River Café which sits on the river, and a few diners but no commercial chain stores or coffee houses. Island Falls is pure small-town New England.
Distances
- Bangor International Airport (BGR), 1.25 hours
- Portland International Airport (PDX), 3.5 hours
- Boston, 5 hours
Unique features
Activities
- Hot tub / Jacuzzi
- Sauna
General
- Dining area
- Fireplace
- Picnic area
Services
- Free Wi-Fi
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
Sewall House Yoga Retreat serves a vegetarian menu in keeping with yoga practice. The food is ample, tasty, mostly organic, and prepared on the premises. Things like their own granola, home-made yogurt, breads, desserts, and main dishes with vegetables and various legumes are served. Sewall House Yoga Retreat gets much of their fresh produce from a local Amish community and local farms. They do not serve alcohol or meat. Coffee is also served.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Coffee
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
Things to do (optional)
- Biking
- Canoeing
- Deep tissue, Swedish, or Therapeutic massage
- Golfing
- Hiking in Baxter Park
- Kayaking
- Lake tours
- Life coaching
- Nature outings to Baxter State Park, nearby lakes, and hikes
- Reiki
- Sauna
- Swimming
Spa treatments
Massages at Sewall House:
- 100 USD for 60-minute
- 150 USD for 90-minute
What's included
- 2 yoga and meditation classes daily
- Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, Vinyasa yoga practices
- Daily full board vegetarian meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 5 nights accommodation
What's not included
- Airport transfers
- Spa treatments
- 9% state tax - paid upon arrival
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Bangor International Airport
140 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 110 per person
Driving directions from Portland
- Drive north on I-295 which becomes I-95 North near Augusta
- Continue on I-95 to Island Falls
- Take exit 276, take a right off the ramp
- Veer right at Bishop's store where you see the electronic clock on route 159
- Sewall House is the first house on the left after you veer right (2/10 mile off I-95 North)
- You will see a white house with a Sewall House sign in the front yard
- They are next to the Post Office and if you pass it, you have passed them
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Bangor International Airport (BGR). Airport transfers are not included in the package. They can offer airport transfers for 110 USD each way.
Arrival by bus
From Portland or Boston, you can take a bus with Concord Trailways and change to CYR Bus which leaves Bangor daily at 6:00 pm.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.