Donna (Amrita) Davidge has led a diverse and exciting life. As a former model and actress, she is a successful business woman, writer, nutritionist, and yoga instructor. She holds a 500 E-RYT yoga instructor certification and is a 3H0 member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She also holds a masters degree in nutrition.
Donna has been a yoga and meditation icon in New York for over thirty years; teaching private and group sessions. When she first started teaching, her primary yoga style was Kundalini, but after a decade, she incorporated other forms of yoga into her session as well including Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Dharmayoga.
One of Donna’s most successful and proud achievements in her yoga career is the annual retreat she holds at her family home in Northern Maine. She has been hosting the summer retreats at Sewall House from May 15 to October 21 since she purchased it in 1997.
Sewall House has special meaning to Donna. As a fifth generation family member owning the home, it once belonged to her great grandfather William Sewall. As a young man, William worked as a nature guide at the house. During the late 1870’s, early 1880’s a young college student, Theodore Roosevelt, started visiting Sewall House to enjoy his passion for nature, which In turn relieved his lifelong asthma. The two boys soon became close, lifelong friends; a friendship that continued after Roosevelt was elected America’s 26th president. Theodore Roosevelt spent three fall expeditions at Sewall house as a young man, trekking through the area, forging the woods and newfound nature lessons from William Sewall, who taught him to hunt for one.
Donna continues in her great grandfather’s footprints by offering the same hospitality to her guests that her family began almost 150 years ago. After becoming the owner of the home, Donna began hosting retreats in 1997. Within 10 years, Sewall House became one the most popular and sought after relaxation havens in the world. The home is nestled within the beautiful area of northern Maine near a local Amish community and store.Visitors arriving in the area are immediately immersed in its natural beauty and small New England town charm. Sewall House offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
While staying at Sewall House, a registered National Historic Site, visitors can participate in daily yoga sessions including morning Hatha classes. Vinyasa, Ashtanga/Iyengar, Kundalina classes, and morning meditation sessions by the river.
Throughout the day, visitors can participate in a variety of outdoor events including hiking, kayaking, biking, and swimming. They can relax in the sauna or treat themselves to a massage.
The retreat offers a vegetarian diet. Guests can enjoy three plant-based meals prepared by professional chefs daily. While a minimum five day stay is recommended to enjoy the full benefits from the services offered at the house, guests can choose how long or short they stay. The house is alcohol and substance free.
The clientele are typically single women between 20 to 70 years old. Motherdaughter groups, couples, single men and families also enjoy the retreats. People often come to Sewall House because they are experiencing a major life change, finding the need to step away from day to day life’s stresses for a brief period.
Along with the annual retreat, Donna also offers other packages at Sewall House including a 200 hour Immersions Teacher Training program. The three week program is offered in May and in September each season. Sewall House also holds Stand Up Paddleboard and Hiking weekends for the outdoor enthusiasts and Writing and Yoga weekend retreats with guest teachers. Anyone interested in viewing the current calendar of events for the upcoming season is inviting to visit her website at: https://sewallhouse.com/
