A few years back, a fellow teacher in New York told me she only drank on weekends. That simple boundary is a great example of being sober curious—noticing your patterns, setting goals, and checking in with how alcohol actually makes you feel. For some, curiosity leads to moderation. For others, it opens the door to full abstinence because life simply feels better.
I opened Sewall House in 1997 as an alcohol-free wellness and lifestyle retreat for a reason. Yoga is more than poses; it’s a way of living. The yamas and niyamas—the philosophical foundation of yoga—invite us to make conscious choices that keep body and mind clear. When you remove alcohol, you get honest feedback from your nervous system: better sleep, steadier moods, more energy, and often, easier meditation.
Being sober curious fits beautifully with yoga and mindfulness. What we put in our bodies shapes how we think, move, and relate. Many people drink to soften stress—what a friend once called “drinking on your feelings.” Yoga, breathwork, and meditation give you other tools. They regulate the stress response, help you ride out cravings, and create space between impulse and action.
Interestingly, a Gallup poll released in August 2025 reported that young adults, who had already reported being less likely to drink alcohol a decade before, accelerated that trend, with the rate falling from 59% in 2023 to 50% only two years later. In fact, that same poll found that the percentage of all U.S. adults who say they consume alcohol has fallen to 54%, the lowest since polling began in 1939.
At Sewall House, we keep things small and personal so you can truly unwind. You’ll find daily yoga and meditation, nourishing meals, quiet time in nature, and a supportive, judgment-free community. If you’re experimenting with sober curious living—or you already abstain—you won’t have to explain yourself here. Our dry environment makes it easy to notice what changes when alcohol isn’t part of the picture.
As we move into the holiday season of “eat, drink, and be merry,” consider flipping the script: be merry, then decide if you want to drink. If you do go out, try a thoughtfully made mocktail—you might love the taste and how clear you feel the next day. And if you’re ready to deepen your sober curious experiment, come visit us in Island Falls, Maine. Give yourself a few days of yoga, breath, and real rest with a wellness retreat at Sewall House. See how your body responds. See what your mind reveals.
Curiosity is the start. Clarity is the gift. Sewall House is here for both.
