Sweat Lodge
Massage Made Convenient 125 S. West St. Suite 121 Wichita, KS 67213 (316)409-6929 |
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"Fire-keepers", "Dog-Soldiers", "Door-keepers", "rock-carriers" needed. Please
contact Chapette if you are interested. Pila Maya, Chapette Hetas. (316)409-6929.
Email Here.
Location: Riverview Retreat 5225 N. Sullivan Wichita, KS
Dates: Call for dates or Request One please.
Print Sweatlodge Info Here
Cost: Donation Love Offering for the Land Owner (s). Side dish, main dish for Feast
following the Lodge Ceremony. For the leader, bring some chemical free tobacco, or
other healing herb,stone, or something from the Heart.
For more information contact us with any questions. Pila Maya, Chapette
Each round seven rocks are added so by the end 28 have come in and two are left
in the fire to represent Mother Earth and Father Sky. Each of the 4 round has a
different meaning.
In the first round they honor and pray for the female aspect of life.
In the second round we honor the male aspect.
The third round is the healing round and the forth round is the one for ourselves.
At the end of each round the door is opened and the next set of 12 are brought in.
There are songs, stories, teachings and prayers in each round as well as opening
and closing songs.
When everything is over the people exit the lodge. It is very important to note that it
is a great honor to be invited to a sweat and that this ceremony was given to the
First Nations People.
Many Native People have now come to a point where they are willing to included
non-natives because the Creator sees no color.
The 4 directions are also the four faces of man ie: Yellow, red, Black and White.
If you are invited to a sweat it is important to know why you are personally going.
You need to take the Elder an offering as an act of respect - Medicines, Tobacco,
food, anything that has meaning and hand it to them while you are shaking their
hand. The tobacco used in the Pipe is brought by the people who asked for the
ceremony. It is their gift for the Spirits to come and guide the Medicine Man
throughout the ceremony. Exactly four pinches of tobacco are used and must fill up
the bowl at the end of the fourth pinch. These pinches of the tobacco are held out to
the Four Directions to call forth the Spirits to accept the offering and hear their plea
for guidance.
You tell them why you have come.
These Elders do this work without charging a fee.
No one will every turn away anyone who does not bring an offering.
If you go to a sweat go early and offer to help. Watch what is being done and do it.
The firekeeper will let you know if they don't want your help but most will be glad to
see you making an effort and completing the circle.
When you come out of the sweat drink lots of water and cool off in the river or ocean
depending on where you are.
The sweat lodge is a ceremonial sauna used by North American First Nations or
Native American peoples. There are several styles of sweat lodge including a domed
or oblong hut similar to a wickiup, a teepee, or even a simple hole dug into the
ground and covered with planks or tree trunks. Stones are heated in an exterior fire
and then placed in a hole in the middle of the floor.
Songs are often shared in the lodge. Some have passed to us from our elders and
teachers for opening certain rounds; most reflect the spiritual leanings of the
participants. Most are songs of worship praising Creator. They often show
appreciation for creation. Songs help clear away obstructions to clarity and growth.
They lift our spirits and call upon helper beings, ancestors and Creator.
Through combination of silence, singing, praying, and sharing from the heart, sweat
lodges become the other heart of a community. The sweat lodge experience is very
holistic with innumerable benefits to be experienced on many levels of
understanding. It is a microcosm of the cosmos.
Everything we do is an outward symbolic presentation of an inner action. It is
important that sweat rituals serve you; do not simply serve the ritual. A certain
amount of discipline and form enables participants to be more focused as both
individuals and as a community.
Words cannot describe all things that occur during a sweat. Each individual receives
something different than other participants; yet all share in a general way, too.
Traditions
Rituals and traditions vary from region to region. They often include prayers,
drumming, and offerings to the spirit world. Some common practices and key
elements associated with sweat lodges include:
Orientation
The door usually faces the fire, forming a duality between the lodge and the fire.
This duality is, in many traditions, symbolic of the male-female or heaven-earth
dualities. Directions usually have carry distinct symbolism in Native American
ceremonies (1). The lodge may be oriented within its environment for a specific
purpose; for example, a lodge constructed near a lake could be run with the intention
of connecting to the spirit of the lake. Placement and orientation of the lodge within
its environment often facilitates the ceremony's connection with the spirit world.
Construction
The lodge is generally built with great care and with respect to the environment and
to the materials being used. Many traditions construct the lodge in complete silence,
some have a drum playing while they build, other traditions have the builders fast
during construction.
Clothing
In traditional lodges, participants wear a simple brief garment or towel. Women can
wear a dress, skirt with shirt and men shorts without metal. Cotton material
suggested.
Offerings
Tobacco, sweet grass, red-cedar, and other plants are often used to make prayers,
give thanks or make other offerings. They can be smoked in a peace pipe or
cornhusk pipe, sprinkled on the hot stones or offered to the fire. Prayer ties are also
made in many traditions to set the intention of the lodge, show gratitude, purify one's
self before the lodge, summon support from the spirit world, and other such
purposes.
Support
In many traditions, one or more persons (sometimes called "dog soldiers") will remain
outside the sweat lodge to protect the ceremony, and assist the participants.
Sometimes they will help tend the fire and place the hot stones, though usually this is
done by a designated firekeeper.
Etiquette
The most important part of sweat lodge etiquette is respecting the traditions of the
lodge leader. Some lodges are done in complete silence, while others involve
singing, chanting, wailing, drumming, or other sound. It is important you know what is
allowed and expected before entering a lodge. Many traditional tribes place a high
value on modesty in respect to the lodge. In clothed lodges, women are usually
expected to wear skirts or short-sleeved dresses of a longer length. Traditions forbid
nudity in mixed sex sweats. Many lodge leaders do not allow menstruating women
(these women are often referred to as being on their moon-time) to participate in
ceremonies. Some will run a separate lodge for menstrating women. Still others allow
them into the lodge after they have completed a purifying ritual, such as making a
belt of prayer ties. Perhaps the most important piece of etiquette is gratitude. It is
important to be thankful to the people joining you in the lodge, and those helping to
support the lodge.
Risks
Wearing metal jewellery can be dangerous as metal objects may become hot enough
to burn the wearer. Contact lenses and synthetic clothing should not be worn in
sweat lodges as the heat can cause the materials to melt and adhere to eyes, skin,
and whatever they might be touching. Cotton clothing is recommended for lodges.
Although the temperature in a sweat lodge can reach that of a traditional sauna,
partakers in a ceremony can stay inside for several hours at a time. Some argue that
this is due to the ceremonial nature of the lodge.
Physical Benefit
Depending on how hot the sweat bath is and the climate in which it occurs, a fifteen
minute sauna or sweat can perform the heavy metal excretion that normally takes
healthy kidneys 24 hours to accomplish. Body sweat flushes toxic metals such as
copper, lead, zinc, and mercury from the body. A sauna is often recommended as a
supplement to kidney machines. Sweat can also remove excessive salts; this is
generally believed to be beneficial for cases of mild hypertension. Sweat can also
eliminate urea, a metabolic by-product. Sweat may also draw out lactic acid
responsible for stiff muscles and a contributor to general fatigue.
Lungs benefit, too. Clogged respiratory passages are opened by heat; this gives
relief from colds or minor respiratory problems. Sweat baths are not recommended
for persons with pneumonia and major respiratory problems. The heat of a sweat
bath and the often rapid cooling afterwards, conditions the body. A well-tuned body
is more resistant to colds, disease and infection. In cold weather, a warm glowing
feeling often lingers for hours following a sweat bath. In hot weather, the body seems
cooler afterwards.
contact Chapette if you are interested. Pila Maya, Chapette Hetas. (316)409-6929.
Email Here.
Location: Riverview Retreat 5225 N. Sullivan Wichita, KS
Dates: Call for dates or Request One please.
Print Sweatlodge Info Here
Cost: Donation Love Offering for the Land Owner (s). Side dish, main dish for Feast
following the Lodge Ceremony. For the leader, bring some chemical free tobacco, or
other healing herb,stone, or something from the Heart.
For more information contact us with any questions. Pila Maya, Chapette
Each round seven rocks are added so by the end 28 have come in and two are left
in the fire to represent Mother Earth and Father Sky. Each of the 4 round has a
different meaning.
In the first round they honor and pray for the female aspect of life.
In the second round we honor the male aspect.
The third round is the healing round and the forth round is the one for ourselves.
At the end of each round the door is opened and the next set of 12 are brought in.
There are songs, stories, teachings and prayers in each round as well as opening
and closing songs.
When everything is over the people exit the lodge. It is very important to note that it
is a great honor to be invited to a sweat and that this ceremony was given to the
First Nations People.
Many Native People have now come to a point where they are willing to included
non-natives because the Creator sees no color.
The 4 directions are also the four faces of man ie: Yellow, red, Black and White.
If you are invited to a sweat it is important to know why you are personally going.
You need to take the Elder an offering as an act of respect - Medicines, Tobacco,
food, anything that has meaning and hand it to them while you are shaking their
hand. The tobacco used in the Pipe is brought by the people who asked for the
ceremony. It is their gift for the Spirits to come and guide the Medicine Man
throughout the ceremony. Exactly four pinches of tobacco are used and must fill up
the bowl at the end of the fourth pinch. These pinches of the tobacco are held out to
the Four Directions to call forth the Spirits to accept the offering and hear their plea
for guidance.
You tell them why you have come.
These Elders do this work without charging a fee.
No one will every turn away anyone who does not bring an offering.
If you go to a sweat go early and offer to help. Watch what is being done and do it.
The firekeeper will let you know if they don't want your help but most will be glad to
see you making an effort and completing the circle.
When you come out of the sweat drink lots of water and cool off in the river or ocean
depending on where you are.
The sweat lodge is a ceremonial sauna used by North American First Nations or
Native American peoples. There are several styles of sweat lodge including a domed
or oblong hut similar to a wickiup, a teepee, or even a simple hole dug into the
ground and covered with planks or tree trunks. Stones are heated in an exterior fire
and then placed in a hole in the middle of the floor.
Songs are often shared in the lodge. Some have passed to us from our elders and
teachers for opening certain rounds; most reflect the spiritual leanings of the
participants. Most are songs of worship praising Creator. They often show
appreciation for creation. Songs help clear away obstructions to clarity and growth.
They lift our spirits and call upon helper beings, ancestors and Creator.
Through combination of silence, singing, praying, and sharing from the heart, sweat
lodges become the other heart of a community. The sweat lodge experience is very
holistic with innumerable benefits to be experienced on many levels of
understanding. It is a microcosm of the cosmos.
Everything we do is an outward symbolic presentation of an inner action. It is
important that sweat rituals serve you; do not simply serve the ritual. A certain
amount of discipline and form enables participants to be more focused as both
individuals and as a community.
Words cannot describe all things that occur during a sweat. Each individual receives
something different than other participants; yet all share in a general way, too.
Traditions
Rituals and traditions vary from region to region. They often include prayers,
drumming, and offerings to the spirit world. Some common practices and key
elements associated with sweat lodges include:
Orientation
The door usually faces the fire, forming a duality between the lodge and the fire.
This duality is, in many traditions, symbolic of the male-female or heaven-earth
dualities. Directions usually have carry distinct symbolism in Native American
ceremonies (1). The lodge may be oriented within its environment for a specific
purpose; for example, a lodge constructed near a lake could be run with the intention
of connecting to the spirit of the lake. Placement and orientation of the lodge within
its environment often facilitates the ceremony's connection with the spirit world.
Construction
The lodge is generally built with great care and with respect to the environment and
to the materials being used. Many traditions construct the lodge in complete silence,
some have a drum playing while they build, other traditions have the builders fast
during construction.
Clothing
In traditional lodges, participants wear a simple brief garment or towel. Women can
wear a dress, skirt with shirt and men shorts without metal. Cotton material
suggested.
Offerings
Tobacco, sweet grass, red-cedar, and other plants are often used to make prayers,
give thanks or make other offerings. They can be smoked in a peace pipe or
cornhusk pipe, sprinkled on the hot stones or offered to the fire. Prayer ties are also
made in many traditions to set the intention of the lodge, show gratitude, purify one's
self before the lodge, summon support from the spirit world, and other such
purposes.
Support
In many traditions, one or more persons (sometimes called "dog soldiers") will remain
outside the sweat lodge to protect the ceremony, and assist the participants.
Sometimes they will help tend the fire and place the hot stones, though usually this is
done by a designated firekeeper.
Etiquette
The most important part of sweat lodge etiquette is respecting the traditions of the
lodge leader. Some lodges are done in complete silence, while others involve
singing, chanting, wailing, drumming, or other sound. It is important you know what is
allowed and expected before entering a lodge. Many traditional tribes place a high
value on modesty in respect to the lodge. In clothed lodges, women are usually
expected to wear skirts or short-sleeved dresses of a longer length. Traditions forbid
nudity in mixed sex sweats. Many lodge leaders do not allow menstruating women
(these women are often referred to as being on their moon-time) to participate in
ceremonies. Some will run a separate lodge for menstrating women. Still others allow
them into the lodge after they have completed a purifying ritual, such as making a
belt of prayer ties. Perhaps the most important piece of etiquette is gratitude. It is
important to be thankful to the people joining you in the lodge, and those helping to
support the lodge.
Risks
Wearing metal jewellery can be dangerous as metal objects may become hot enough
to burn the wearer. Contact lenses and synthetic clothing should not be worn in
sweat lodges as the heat can cause the materials to melt and adhere to eyes, skin,
and whatever they might be touching. Cotton clothing is recommended for lodges.
Although the temperature in a sweat lodge can reach that of a traditional sauna,
partakers in a ceremony can stay inside for several hours at a time. Some argue that
this is due to the ceremonial nature of the lodge.
Physical Benefit
Depending on how hot the sweat bath is and the climate in which it occurs, a fifteen
minute sauna or sweat can perform the heavy metal excretion that normally takes
healthy kidneys 24 hours to accomplish. Body sweat flushes toxic metals such as
copper, lead, zinc, and mercury from the body. A sauna is often recommended as a
supplement to kidney machines. Sweat can also remove excessive salts; this is
generally believed to be beneficial for cases of mild hypertension. Sweat can also
eliminate urea, a metabolic by-product. Sweat may also draw out lactic acid
responsible for stiff muscles and a contributor to general fatigue.
Lungs benefit, too. Clogged respiratory passages are opened by heat; this gives
relief from colds or minor respiratory problems. Sweat baths are not recommended
for persons with pneumonia and major respiratory problems. The heat of a sweat
bath and the often rapid cooling afterwards, conditions the body. A well-tuned body
is more resistant to colds, disease and infection. In cold weather, a warm glowing
feeling often lingers for hours following a sweat bath. In hot weather, the body seems
cooler afterwards.