On a physical level, sweat lodging greatly accelerates the detoxification process of the skin and body, letting go of and getting rid of harmful pollutants and chemicals. One sweat lodging session of just fifteen minutes [when conditions are good] can do a job that takes the kidneys twenty-four hours to achieve: heavy metal excretion. This gets rid of toxic metals such as mercury, lead, copper and zinc. Other benefits include elimination of urea and removal of excessive salts and lactic acid, responsible for stiff muscles and fatigue. Capillaries are dilated, increasing blood flow to the skin. The heart beats faster and fluids flow more readily, flushing out impurities in vital organs. The lungs can also profit as clogged respiratory passages are opened by the heat, static channels begin to flow.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of sweat lodging is the reconditioning that it provides both our bodies and our awareness. It helps us to retune, revitalization, become more resistant to disease and infection, feel warm in the cold, cool in the heat.
It is said that sweat lodging is a form of being reborn. The lodge represents the womb of mother earth. It is dark, secure, nurturing, healing. The ground is soft and we sink into the warming roundness. We go unclothed, without our badges, symbols of education, status and wealth. We are removed of all the camouflage of our ego. We are pure and humble, yet present and full of love for ourselves and our earth. An in this way as we bathe ourselves in the warmth of the mother and let our impurities go, we unite with our spirit selves.
We thank you, sweat lodge. Be seeing you.
