Temazcal (Native American Sweat Lodge)

'Temazcal' is a millenarian tradition (widely practised along the American continent by many ancestral cultures) that provides a steam bath for the mind, body, and soul - a holistic therapy for both the physical and the spiritual.

A Temazcal is a representation of the womb of mother earth. The people participating in this ceremony enter it as a representation of entering the womb of mother earth and therefore has the shape of a dome with small dimensions throughout representing the mother’s womb.

A fire ceremony is created outside of the Temazcal and, once inside, hot volcanic rocks are placed in the centre. Water is then poured over the rocks to produce steam. Temazcal, like other forms of steam rooms, has many physical benefits;

- Flushes out toxins - released through the body's sweat
- Detoxification - mind body soul
- Clear lungs and respiratory airways - The steam clears airways and improves flow in the respiratory system
- Reduce fatigue
- Improve endurance
- Aid arthritis
- Clears skin - the steam produced by pouring cold water over the hot rocks helps to flush out impurities in the skin, clearing the pores and creating a smoother look
- Supports weight loss - increasing the amount you sweat can help you get rid of water weight
- Aids blood flow - the heat in a Temazcal ceremony will open up your capillaries, allowing blood to move around the body more easily. This has many benefits including increased oxygen levels and lower blood pressure.
- Releases mental burdens - Temazcal ceremonies involve deep contemplation akin to meditation.
- Combat mild depression and anxiety

Ceremonies usually last for two or more hours and are typically led by a Temazcalero (a traditional guardian of this practice).