A Mexican Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Verywell / Laura Porter
Atemazcalis a ceremony steeped in Mexican heritage.
It involves participants sitting in a traditional sweat lodge for health and therapeutic benefits.
History
Temazcal ceremonies originated in South America, more specifically Mexico.
Verywell / Laura Porter
However, you dont have to be of South American heritage to enjoy the benefits of a temazcal.
The ceremonies have grown in popularity over the years and are now practiced in different parts of the world.
The wordtemazcalcomes from the wordtemazcalli, which isNahuatl(an Uto-Aztec language) for the house of heat.
Historically, temazcals began asa cleansing ritualfor the people to engage in before and after going to wars.
It was also rumored to have healing powers.
During the Spanish conquest, many temazcal structures were destroyed by the Spaniards.
Some people think that the temazcal is purposefully shaped in a dome-like manner to represent a womans womb.
And that when a person steps out of a temazcal experience, they are essentially reborn.
The structure, as well as the experience, is referred to as a temazcal.
Temazcal Ceremonies Are Unique
Each temazcal ceremony is unique.
Sometimes a temazcal might be led by a shaman and could involve chanting and singing.
Or a temazcalero might perform the same function as a shaman.
The temazcals are typically dome-like structures made out of cement, mud, or volcanic stone.
Once the participants are settled in, steaming volcanic stones are placed in the middle of the circle.
Water is then poured over these stones to produce steam for the sweat lodge.
The rocks used during the ceremony are heated just outside the structure before the ceremony starts.
Some people might even drink some herbal tea while inside the temazcal.
Benefits of a Temazcal
Temazcal has proven to have many benefits.
You might notice clearer skin and an improvement in weight loss efforts.
But for many others, these ceremonies are deeply spiritual and hold more meaning.
Temazcals are thought to purify not just the body but the mind and soulhealing you from the inside out.
If left unattended or not properly supervised, a temazcal could easily go awry.
2011;17(2):103-112. doi:10.1179/107735211799030979
