The intention of the Sweat Lodge ceremony is to purify the body, mind and spirit so that a new sense of self may emerge. It is an ancient ritual practiced in some form by every culture around the world. Our ancient ancestors established the thermal sweat bath in order to promote, healing of physical ailments, cleansing of negative emotions, clearing of mental concerns and releasing of spiritual or energetic blockages. The sweat lodge purifies you from the inside out, through the use of heat, steam, and intention, causing your body to sweat clean.
Sweating is as essential to your health as breathing and eating. Sweating detoxifies the body and helps keep the skin clean and supple. Sweat draws out lactic acid which causes stiff muscles and fatigue. Sweat also flushes out toxic metals such as lead, copper, and mercury which can cause many types of health problems.
Every culture around the word, both ancient and modern, has its own sweat lodge traditions. Overall, there is no right or wrong way to engage in a sweat lodge ceremony, other than to enter the lodge with an open mind and heart, with no expectation, and be prepared for purification and healing.
The New Age Sweat Lodge Ceremony is similar
to a Native American Sweat Lodge. Our lodge
is dome shaped, close to the ground, and made
of natural and man made materials. Its circular
form is a reminder of the Sacred Hoop and the
circle of humanity. The door to the Lodge is
built low to the ground, causing participants
to humbly enter on their knees, reminding them
that they are no greater nor lesser than all
other living things. At the start of the ceremony
participants are "smudged" with the smoke of
sage or cedar to cleanse them of any negative
energy. Once smudged, we all make an offering
to the fire pit which contains the heated stones.
Our offering is a way of put our energy or intention
into the stones. Then we enter the lodge with
our highest and purest intention, as we would
when entering any sacred space.
The sweat lodge structure symbolizes the womb
of Mother Earth and the heated stones represent
her body, which supports all life. The fire,
used to heat the rocks, represents the eternal
light of the world, and is the source of all
life. The heated stones are brought into the
center of the sweat lodge in a series of four
rounds. Each round signifies the four directions:
north, south, east and west, allowing participants
to view their purification process from different
perspectives. Water is poured onto the stones
to create steam, expressing the release of ancient
knowledge. Participants perspire, nourishing
themselves and the earth with these lessons.
The integrity and energy of the sweat lodge
is kept high through prayer, chanting, singing,
sharing and silence. Each participant offers
personal prayers for self, others, and for the
releasing of pain and suffering. When the door
to the lodge is opened between rounds, the steam
rises to meet Father Sky with the prayers of
the participants.
The full moon provides an energetic boost
to the ceremony and further facilitates our
purification and healing process.
Please Note: There is a $25
fee per participant.
The Spa is closed for the season. Please check
back here in May 2012 for dates.
