SWEAT LODGE WELCOME AND CODE OF CONDUCT

On behalf of Simone and Michael we welcome you to our Sweat Lodge Ceremony.

For many of you this may be your first Sweat Ceremony so firstly a brief outline of the Sweat Ceremonies. Throughout the world many communities have sought a refuge, safe sanctuary to hold Ceremony and seek council and guidance from the Ancestors. The Lodge offers us such a place. The heated stones within the lodge represent the ancestors. They may speak to us during ceremony and indeed in our daily lives. We are encouraged to be still within the Lodge and face the ordeal of heat to bring clarity into our lives. The Lodge invites us to step out of the ordinary and immerse ourselves within sacred space on our spiritual paths... the true path of our hearts.

There may be several “rounds” in the Ceremony. These include periods to be still, to receive the virtues and gifts from the cardinal points within a medicine wheel, to hear mythology and engage in a meditation process. As we journey with the ceremony the heat, and therefore the ordeal will increase, but you are encouraged to be still, focus on your breath and your journey. Call upon your inner strength to aid you.

Before commencing your first sweat a facilitator will speak to you or the group show you the lodge and answer any questions you may have.

We therefore ask all participants to arrive on time or early. This will enable us all to prepare for ceremony. The time prior to commencing the ceremony should be a time to check in on our intention and state of being and to begin to find stillness and reflection.

We ask that you respect others and be aware of each other’s space. Generally we undress and cover ourselves with a sarong or similar. Places to undress and prepare will be provided. Once in the lodge it is up to each individual to choose whether they may shed some clothing or not.

Bring your drink bottle or other hydrating drinks along to the sweat to maintain your hydration, however there is no drinking in the ceremony – the time in the sweat lodge is less than an hour.

As we emerge from the Sweat Lodge, after ceremony, we ask to allow everyone to reflect on their journeys in quietness and begin to integrate in their own time.

Once everyone has had a chance to reflect, and re-dress, it is intended that we share a light meal. We have found this sharing of food and thoughts is a wonderful time to form friendship and community.

Please bring to the sweatlodge: a sarong or similar to change into before entering the sweatlodge and a towel to dry yourself off afterwards. If you wish to shower please speak to the facilitator about these arrangements.

Please familiarize yourself with the “Preparation for sweatlodge” document. PREPARATION FOR SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY

For Hydration:

Drink at least 2 litres of water in the day leading up to the sweat. Ensure to drink much of this in the morning to allow your body time to adequately hydrate.

Drink plenty of fluids after the ceremony and through the next day. Rehydrating drinks that assist in replacing electrolytes such as coconut water can be helpful after the sweat.

Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs and stimulants on a sweat day. Reduce caffeine intake through tea, coffee and energy drinks. Tapering off caffeine in the days preceding the sweat lodge can assist the central nervous system and purification process.

Other tips:

Avoiding eating for about 6 hours prior to the ceremony can allow for a better ‘purification’ experience and outcome

Rest and replenish with food and fluids for an hour or two after.

Do not wear metal jewellery - can become too hot and burn the skin

Do not wear contact lenses – best practice for eye health

During the ceremony:

The temperature will be increased in the first few rounds and then decreased in the final round – the prayer round

If you are finding it challenging:

*Focus on the breath and the chants

*Lying on the ground will allow you to get cooler and more oxygenated air

*Breathe slowly and deeply into the base of the lungs

If you feel you need to leave:

Ask yourself the Questions “Have I journeyed as far as I can go?”, “Is there anything that can be gained by staying?”

Ask the ceremonial leader for permission to leave.... This will be granted, yet it is courteous and respectful not to leave during the prayer round, this will be a cooler round anyway