A sweat lodge, also known as a temazcal, is a traditional Mexican sauna ceremony that has been used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of Latin America to purify body, mind and spirit . The sweat lodge ceremony is one of the oldest ceremonies on the planet, connecting us with the elements and cleansing our bodies.

The sweat lodge consists of a darkened room, usually built from clay or stone. Here in Switzerland, it is constructed with hazel bushes and blankets. The sweat lodge symbolizes the belly of Mother Earth and the temple of water.

A fire is lit in front of the lodge , representing male energy and the temple of fire. Stones are heated there and then passed into the lodge by the fire keepers. These glowing hot stones are welcomed and honored in the lodge with chants, prayers, and herbs . The stones are considered the Grandmother and Grandfather Stones, containing all the knowledge of the earth and released when the stones are heated. When the sweat lodge leader then pours water over the stones, we can listen to the whispering of the stones and heat the room with moist steam, allowing us to travel.

In the sweat lodge ceremony, there are four rounds, also called the four doors . Each door (each round) is dedicated to a body, element, or direction. The execution of these doors varies depending on the beliefs or backgrounds of the sweat lodge leaders.

A sweat lodge ceremony is a chance to let go and release everything old that weighs you down and to compost it. Through the heat and sweating in the lodge, you experience your limits and have the opportunity to travel and connect with yourself and the elements so that you can be reborn after passing through the four doors. Overall, the sweat lodge is an ancient, profound practice that gives you the chance to connect, purify, and heal with yourself and everything around you.

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