Wander Magazine – The Food and Drink Issue
pages 114 – 115
SEWALL HOUSE YOGA RETREAT
Maine, USA
In the late 1800s, William Sewall, a naturalist and the great-grandfather of the current owner, welcomed a pale and thin young man as a regular summer guest to Sewall House. At the time Sewall could not have imagined that this young Harvard student with a weak heart named Theodore Roosevelt would later become the 26th President of the United States. Sewall and Roosevelt enjoyed a lifelong friendship as well as joint adventures, and Sewall House, situated in the enchanting landscape of northern Maine, was destined to become a safe harbor that would welcome people in search of relaxation and healing.
In 1997, well-known yoga teacher and nutritionist Donna Sewall Davidge became the fifth generation of her family to manage this historic house when she decided to purchase it and transform it into a yoga retreat. Northern Maine is the perfect place for a retreat, situated as it is along the Canadian border and featuring forests, lakes, abundant wildlife, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Baxter State Park, hiking trails, and healthy fresh air.
Just as in the past, guests can look forward to escaping from everyday life and enjoying the solitude and tranquility, the beauty and the healing forces of nature, much like Theodore Roosevelt. The retreat center offers different styles of yoga with expert and personalized instruction. Healthy vegetarian meals—with vegan and gluten-free options available upon request—promote healing. The beneficial recipes of Chef Nadja Waxenegger have already been immortalized in the Sewall House Cookbook.
