Sewall House - Maine Yoga Retreat and Yoga Vacation http://sewallhouse.com/blog The Sewall House Blog Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:29:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Sewall House Vision Statement http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/28/sewall-house-vision-statement/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/28/sewall-house-vision-statement/#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:29:11 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=196 Read more »]]> Back in 1997, when I ventured into the unknown to purchase this family home in hopes of continuing its legacy of being an informal inn and place of healing (especially well known for its part in helping a young TR heal from asthma in the Maine woods), I was yearly attending the 3HO Solstice gathering in New Mexico. My annual jaunts became less frequent but I did go in 2000 (taught there that year) , 2001 and in 2007 Kent managed to join me at Solstice in New Mexico. Since then Sewall House  has been keeping us busy. The vision statement that sits on our fridge was created back in 1997 out of my yoga experiences on those 3HO retreats and what I hoped to offer our guests. A New Years guest this year suggested the vision statement be on our website and so here it is on our BLOG for any of you reading this and wondering what to expect (besides lots of good yoga to enhance your practice- all levels welcome) if this is the retreat for you!

1- TO CREATE A SAFE NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR GUESTS TO EXPLORE THEMSELVES, THEIR EXPERIENCES AND LIFESTYLE IN A PERSONALLY IMPERSONAL FAMILY COMMUNITY.

2- TO PROVIDE AN ESCAPE FROM DAILY RESPONSIBILITIES & DISTRACTIONS. LESSONS OF SILENCE/STILLNESS AND IMPORTANCE OF NATURE/NURTURE FOR HEALING.

3- TO SHARE PRINCIPLES OF SIMPLICITY AND SERVICE & Hiking with new friends Tree pose among the trees Moments of connectedness group moments Moments of solitude

HELP OTHERS PRIORITIZE THEIR LIFE IN THIS DIRECTION.

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/28/sewall-house-vision-statement/feed/ 0 A Few More Advanced Poses http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/21/a-few-more-advanced-poses/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/21/a-few-more-advanced-poses/#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:12:06 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=185 Read more »]]> Garland Pose Kukkutasana

So many of the photos on our site are not of me doing yoga! That is because I love to take pictures of our guests and the wonderful nature of Maine. Here are a few poses in our studio that are not for beginners but show you I really DO yoga!!

 

Garland is a hip opener and the balancing pose requires open hips too because your legs are in full lotus. Both of them are achieved in my yoga as a result of practice. And that is the exciting thing! Some things you get to and some you never will- just like life. But you can always strive to do better and learn more!

While honoring your own body and its limits- that is not bad either!

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/21/a-few-more-advanced-poses/feed/ 0 and one more thing..the beautiful Lake melting in March!..mascot Shanti enjoying the air… http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/13/and-one-more-thing-the-beautiful-lake-melting-in-march-mascot-shanti-enjoying-the-air/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/13/and-one-more-thing-the-beautiful-lake-melting-in-march-mascot-shanti-enjoying-the-air/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:34:01 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=176 Lake Melting in March Mascot Shanti enjoying the back steps by the yoga studio early March ]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/13/and-one-more-thing-the-beautiful-lake-melting-in-march-mascot-shanti-enjoying-the-air/feed/ 0 Mom and daughters..March in Maine!! http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/13/mom-and-daughters-march-in-maine/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/13/mom-and-daughters-march-in-maine/#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:27:41 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=169 Read more »]]> A Happy Bon Voyage! A Sister Assist! Twisted Pigeon

One of my students in NY (where I teach when not running retreats in Maine) said last night that I do not write on this blog enough so here is a comment from one of our March guests in Maine and some photos:

In celebration of my mom’s 60th birthday, my sisters and I booked a weekend at Sewall House. It was more perfect than we could have ever imagined. The fantastic yoga coupled with delicious meals, beautiful weather, and rejuvenating massage made for the most relaxing and enjoyable weekend. Donna and Kent are simply lovely and their warm personalities, easy conversation, and inviting home made us all feel truly relaxed and grateful for such a wonderful experience. We wished it could have lasted longer and look forward to returning!

thanks for reading! come see us in Maine..we have fun things this summer, please check our events page– art and meditation, writing and yoga, belly dancing, polarity and more!

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/04/13/mom-and-daughters-march-in-maine/feed/ 0 Spring Is Almost Here and that Means Sewall House is Readying!! http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/03/10/spring-is-almost-here-and-that-means-sewall-house-is-readying/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/03/10/spring-is-almost-here-and-that-means-sewall-house-is-readying/#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 17:51:39 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=162 Read more »]]> This weekend we are giving our first “Spring” retreat and then again the last weekend of the month. Very excited and grateful to those who have arranged personalized retreats with us in our “off season”- We will be fully ON again by May so please call or write with any and all inquiries and reservations.

We continue to draw in people going through transitions and so this summer have added some theme weekends as well as some special workshops to help you on YOUR path! Please check our events page for Belly Dancing, Polarity, Art and Meditation, Thai Massage and more..

Until then be well and feel free to join us on Facebook! Thank you for reading!

Down Dog Amrita and Kent from guest Jeff

down dog at seawall house

 

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/03/10/spring-is-almost-here-and-that-means-sewall-house-is-readying/feed/ 0 CALIF IN FEB WAS FUN!! http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/02/19/calif-in-feb-was-fun/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/02/19/calif-in-feb-was-fun/#comments Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:16:14 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=152 Read more »]]> Malibu Beach with Satya long time student and friend Kent enjoys Satya's massage machine! Kent playing at Yogasoup Santa Barbara workshop Thousand Oaks with Sewall House guest Shira and friends Big Sur morning after night at sis's cabin (reminds us of Maine cabin!) RAMADASA at Indigo Plesant Hill

RAMADASA at Indigo Plesant Hill

RAMADASA at Indigo Plesant Hill

We appreciate all the wonderful welcoming hospitality from students Satya in LA, Matt and Liz in Santa Barbara, Sara in SFO and Shira in Thousnad Oaks..the scenery and weather were beautiful but spending time with friends and meeting new ones was the highlight! Teaching and sharing..thank YOU!! and also to see Nam Kaur and her beloved husband in Santa Barbara!

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/02/19/calif-in-feb-was-fun/feed/ 0 Yoga- Fitness or Self awareness?? http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/01/08/yoga-fitness-or-self-awareness/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/01/08/yoga-fitness-or-self-awareness/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:35:52 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=146 Read more »]]> I just received an e-mail selling some new prop for the wrists to have you do the perfect plank..and then it showed photos of two pretty sloppy chatarungas with this quote:

Yoga’s participation rate skyrocketed in 2010, growing 28.1% to 20.2 million participants.  Yoga is considered to be the second fastest growing leisure activity next to jogging and running according to the National Sporting Goods Association

SO maybe that is why the NY Times came out with its catchy article circulating around yogis title ” Why Yoga Wrecks Your Body”. Yoga is a 5000 year old tradition meant to purify and cleanse the body and mind though the breath and methodical patient, not PUSHED (stretch- not strain, strengthen- not pain is the way I see it).  Let’s hope some of those taking it up as a leisure activity understand the complexities and wonders of a true yoga practice!

yoga on the lake

yoga on the lake

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/01/08/yoga-fitness-or-self-awareness/feed/ 0 Winter Wonderland Holiday Retreat and looking forward to SPRING!! http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/01/05/winter-wonderland-holiday-retreat-and-looking-forward-to-spring/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/01/05/winter-wonderland-holiday-retreat-and-looking-forward-to-spring/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:35:52 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=142 Read more »]]> We had a cozy quiet restful retreat with guests from as far as Wisconsin and New York City- we will offer our Soar Into Spring Weekend the end of April and have more information soon on special weekends June through October. We will be in Calif for the first two weeks in February

Winter Walk at Sewall House Yoga Retreat

Winter Walkas are Wonderful!!

Check our events page for Santa Barbara and San Francisco events..and we wish you all a VERY good 2012!

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2012/01/05/winter-wonderland-holiday-retreat-and-looking-forward-to-spring/feed/ 0 Peace in the woods http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2011/10/30/peace-in-the-woods/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2011/10/30/peace-in-the-woods/#comments Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:20:59 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=137 Read more »]]> We were sorting through books in our library today..and I came across this wonderful quote..even tho I am not a hunter I think it explains it well..from “How To Calm Down” by Fred Miller

IF YOU CAN GET INTO THE WOODS, WHY YOU WENT DOES NOT MATTER. ANYONE CAN RELAX THERE- A HUNTER LOOKING TO BAG THIS SEASONS BUCK OR A VEGETARIAN PHOTOJOURNALIST. THE WOODS DON’T CARE; THE TREES DON’T DISCRIMINATE. JUST BEING IN THE FOREST IS WHAT’S RELAXING. AS THE NATURALIST JOHN MUIR SAID

Baxter State Park September Hike

” The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”

]]> http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2011/10/30/peace-in-the-woods/feed/ 0 Interesting article on the cost of yoga http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2011/10/20/interesting-article-on-the-cost-of-yoga/ http://sewallhouse.com/blog/2011/10/20/interesting-article-on-the-cost-of-yoga/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:13:21 +0000 amrita http://sewallhouse.com/blog/?p=134 http://www.indiablooms.com/LifestyleDetailsPage/lifestyleDetails201011d.php

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