This Native American style Sweat Lodge in the Lake District is a powerful ritual for purification of mind, body and spirit. It has been used for millennia by native peoples as preparation for spiritual quests and for healing. Our Celtic forefathers used ‘sweat houses’ made of stone, to similar ends. The Romans had their ‘bath houses’ and the Vikings their saunas. So, purposeful sweat rituals are nothing new to our culture.

 

We are respectfully using the Mexican Indian Temazcal ceremony shown to Gabby and I by a Mexican shaman in Chile in 1997. We have been using this ritual for personal development ever since. We will follow a traditional style made up of four ‘doors’ (rounds) representing the cardinal directions, each of which has its own symbolism and meaning in Native American culture. As in traditional sweats, participants will be clothed. The ceremony taps into one’s primordial, inner knowing and participants often experience deep connectedness with themselves, others and the environment.

 

The lodge frame is made entirely of natural materials and covered in a tarpaulin and blankets. The earth from the hole in the centre of the lodge is placed between the fire pit and the doorway as an altar. Rocks are heated until glowing hot and placed in a hole in the centre of the darkened, insulated lodge. The door is closed and herbs, then water are put onto the rocks. This process is repeated four times (representing the four cardinal directions), with the introduction of more rocks between rounds.

 

In the relaxed, post sweat lodge clarity we share our experiences of the lodge along with food, drink and conversation. The mellow, contentedness of a sweat lodge can last for several days, during which time personal processes often begin to unfold. We offer free telephone advice during the week after the sweat to help make the most of this personal development opportunity.

 

Make sure you drink plenty of water in the 48 hours beforehand. You should also consider fasting on the day of the sweat. For some this means eating light, vegetarian food. Other people eat nothing at all until after the lodge. You’ll need to bring some healthy, light, vegetarian food and a non-alcoholic drink to share, a swimming costume or shorts, a towel and most importantly, two blankets per person to insulate the shelter. These won’t get dirty but might get a bit damp with the steam. You may also want to bring some personal power items to leave on the altar outside the Lodge. If you don’t have any you could consider bringing something symbolic to use that will serve as a reminder of the experience later. Bring a percussion instrument if you have one.

 

This sweat lodge will be in a small clearing by Lake Windermere where the transition from earth to water is softly cushioned by verdant moss and weed (see gallery).

 

Cost £50 (£35 each if you bring

a friend)

Students £35

For bookings call 07739 646176 or

 

Full directions and details of local

accommodation will be given