Sweat Lodge at Indian Canyon

Introduction:

• Native American Sweat Lodges are held by different Native American Elders, each of whom is charge of his or her particular lodge
• Multiple sweat lodge ceremonies may be held on the same day

Participation:

• Sweat Lodges at Indian Canyon are part of the ceremony of the canyon, and not an attraction for tourists or curiosity seekers.
• People who have a genuine reason to participate in the ceremony are welcome to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies at the pleasure of the Sweat Lodge Leader; participants need to be clear in their own minds what they are trying to do, what their goals are, and be able to articulate it.
• Indian Canyon, through Ann-Marie Sayers, coordinates the Sweat Lodges and keeps a calendars of the dates, places and names of the leaders of the Sweat Lodges.  Each Sweat Lodge is run independently by a different elder.
• Please contact Ann-Marie Sayers at 831-637-4238 if you are interested in participating in a Sweat Lodge at Indian Canyon.

General:

• Usually led by a Native American Elder
• Men and women (except during their moon or period) are welcome
• Clothing: Conservative, and loose & comfortable to sweat in.
  • Men - trunks and towel.
  • Women - loose fitting long skirt, loose comfortable top and towel.

Traditions:

• Bring offering of a package of loose tobacco (available where tobacco products are sold) to the sweat lodge leader

• Bring food to share with the group when the sweat lodge session ends.

Requirements:

• Frame of mind: focus on something meaningful.  In the 60s and 70s people tended to focus or self-improvement, the tendency these days is for improvement of the society, environment or the group.
• Sincere desire to open up to the spirit within oneself, the land and the community. Prayerful ceremony that requires a sincere heart.

Ceremony:

• Build up the fire to heat the volcanic rocks
• Take rocks into the sweat lodge which is partially underground (as in a cave) or totally above ground (as in a skin covered tent).
• Go into sweat lodge, sit down, go around the hot rocks.
• Close the sweat lodge opening to focus the heat and the energy
• Occasionally come out for a breather and to cool down
• When it is over share food, good company and experiences

Sweat Lodge Link referred from personal Contact:

Native American Sweat Lodge
Information on several Native American Sweat Lodges in the context of customs of "Sweats" around the World.
http://www.cyberbohemia.com/Pages/joiningrf.htm