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'Have I died and gone to heaven?' I thought to myself as I sat by the infinity pool overlooking the crystal clear Caribbean ocean and hearing the birds sing above me in the trees.

Ready to start the 8.15am yoga class at Rosewood Little Dix Bay's wellness retreat in the British Virgin Islands, I felt a world away from the smoggy hustle and bustle of New York City.

Such was my relaxed state, I felt like I'd been away on vacation for a week. But just 24 hours before I was running through JFK airport like a crazy woman after sleeping through my alarm and nearly missing my flight.

De-stressing: Sadie (front in black) feels the calming effect of yoga at Little Dix Bay's wellness retreat in the British Virgin Islands

Crisis averted, I slowly inhaled and exhaled along with a small group of other yogis, feeling the fresh morning air filter through me.

Further aiding my relaxation was the eloquent instruction from Johnny Anzalone.

After spending 17 years wowing Broadway audiences and crowds around the world in shows including Cats and La Cage aux Folles, he decided to turn to teaching and the more holistic side of things.

He started running the yoga retreats at Rosewood Little Dix Bay two-and-a-half years ago and has become somewhat of a local celebrity on the fitness front.

Indeed, Rose Giacinto who owns Chez Bamboo, a popular Caribbean and Asian fusion restaurant close to the resort, popped in daily to Johnny's classes while he was in town from New York.

Sessions run twice daily over a three-day period as part of the Revitalize, Refresh, Renew Yoga retreat package, which caters to people of all ages and ability.

Welcome to all: Sessions run twice daily over a three-day period as part of the Revitalize, Refresh, Renew Yoga retreat package, which caters to people of all ages and ability

Caught in action: Clients can also book one-on-one sessions to explore other restorative practices including Pilates or meditation - Paddleboard yoga is also set to hit the agenda next year

Clients can also book one-on-one sessions to explore other restorative practices such as Pilates and meditation with paddleboard yoga set to hit the agenda next year.

Before attending the course at Rosewood Little Dix Bay I had only done Bikram yoga - which consists of 26 postures which are repeated twice - but I found Johnny's Vinyasa variations easy to follow.

Each day he picked a different theme to follow for the 60 minutes. For instance, on Father's Day we worked through a mix of grounding poses to balance the mind and body and on a particularly sunny morning, 'fire' postures helped get us pumped for the day ahead.

'Look up to the sky but close your eyes if the clouds are too bright,' Johnny said softly as we did an upward facing dog one day. But I refused to close my eyes and squinted through the white heat, relishing the fact that I was in the great outdoors as opposed to the florescent light of a studio.

Afternoon classes took place at 4.30pm and moved from the infinity pool at Rosewood Little Dix Bay's Sense Wellness spa to different locations around the resort.

One day Johnny took a group of us for a session at Bougainvillea point - a picturesque spot overlooking Rosewood Little Dix Bay's golden beach where many newlyweds choose to have photos taken. As the name suggests, it boasts dozens of Bougainvillea plants in a dazzling palette of colors.

Hold that pose: Johnny Anzalone (pictured at The Baths) started running the yoga retreats at Little Dix Bay two-and-a-half years ago and has become somewhat of a local celebrity on the fitness front

Hold that! Sadie performs a yoga pose during a class off-site at The Baths - a national park since 1990

Another day we headed to The Baths for an excursion. Just a ten-minute drive from Rosewood Little Dix Bay, this stretch of coastline - a national park since 1990 - is a must-see. Granite boulders the size of townhouses pepper the shoreline and look like meteors dropped from outer-space.

As we meandered through the stone maze, we would come across still pools of water calmly twinkling in the afternoon sun. When we found some flatter rocks we stopped to perform some yoga poses. 

Our silhouettes against the slow-burning sunset prompted us to get our cameras out for a quick photo session. The jaw-dropping scenery has been used as a backdrop for many a model shoot, including Tyra Banks' steamy 1997 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover.

There was a mix of people attending the yoga classes, couples, children and parents and singletons like me. I had gone away with my mother, but not keen on yoga she decided to relax by the beach with rum punches - not in the morning might I add - and a book while I broke sweat.

Dreamy: Morning sessions are held by an infinity pool with stunning views over he Caribbean ocean

Feeding the mind and body: Large bowls of fresh fruit, an omelet station and fresh smoothie bar were just a snippet of the things on offer at Little Dix Bay's breakfast buffet

But the schedule worked well for our trip, as the time apart gave us time for personal reflection too. Every morning after my first class, mum and I reconvened at the breakfast buffet which was totally epic.

Large bowls of fresh fruit, an omelet station and fresh smoothie bar were just a snippet of the things on offer. Then after refueling for the day ahead, we took advantage of the free activities on offer.

On the beach at the 500-acre Rosewood Little Dix Bay resort – which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year - there are paddle boards, kayaks and windboards to use at leisure.

Then at the dock you can book onto the complimentary boat shuttle service to one of the seven surrounding beaches.

Mum and I went to Mountain Trunk, as we were told this was a top spot for snorkeling. Indeed, with our masks on we spotted purple and red corals rippling, schools of fish dancing and even a mean-looking barracuda hovering at one point.

Idyllic: The British Virgin Islands are made up of 60 islands, cays and islets located in the North Eastern Caribbean - here is a view of Biras Creek

Mother-daughter trip: Sadie attended the yoga course as a solo student while her mother, Laura, took time out to relax - they said the schedule worked well

Pure bliss: The ocean suites at Biras Creek are positioned along the water's edge and feature uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea

Out of the ocean we only came across three other couples on the beach and we felt safe leaving our belongings unattended. After a couple of hours playing 'shipwrecked', we headed back to Little Dix Bay so I could get to yoga and mum, back to her book.

For the non-yogis, Rosewood Little Dix Bay also offers a fitness package called Move well, Feel well, Be well that consists of daily classes specially tailored to each client. On top of this there is a state-of-the-art gym and tennis courts with pros on hand for private lessons.

After the four-night yoga retreat came to an end, me and mum decided to explore another part of Virgin Gorda. We were heartbroken to leave the faultless hospitality of Rosewood Little Dix Bay and already planning our next trip but excited to do a bit of exploring.

Cloudy cocktail: After leaving Little Dix Bay, Sadie spent time at Biras Creek where the sunsets were incredible

We opted to stay over at Biras Creek - a stone's throw from Sir Richards Branson's Necker and Mosquito islands - which had a totally different vibe to Rosewood Little Dix Bay but a charm all of its own.

Like Rosewood Little Dix Bay, we weren't given keys to our room. We came to realize that the element of trust is something highly valued by all islanders.

Indeed, one taxi driver alerted us to the fact that the BVIs only has a one per cent crime rate and most petty offenses take place after one too many rum punches.

For the duration of my vacation I didn't even use the safes provided, leaving my phone and laptop in full view.

To get around Biras Creek's 140-acre resort we were provided with a rack of bicycles outside our ocean-fronting room.

Two other must-dos at the resort aside from pedaling around, include the Mind, Body and Spirit spa treatment, which combines a yoga session, body wrap and massage and a diving lesson with the wonderful captain Wayne off Necker Island.

After a week away back in New York, Johnny's yoga, the rum punches and cooling island breeze seemed like a dream. But a novel sense of relaxation was something that remained.

'How was it?' someone asked me on my return to the city.

And the best fitting words I could use?

'I feel like a new person,' I replied.