Sweat Lodge Ceremony (Inipi Ceremony)

Sweat Lodge Ceremony (Inípi ceremony)

Please join us at The Burrow for a transformational sweat lodge experience. 

The sweat lodge is a place to heal. It’s a space for introspection and connection to your ancestors. You have time to express gratitude, set intentions, and leave behind anything that no longer serves you. Much like any modern-day sauna, the physical process of sweating helps your body purge toxins. You’ll experience storytelling, meditation, and singing. The sweat lodge acts as a detox that helps you move beyond the physical into the spiritual. It is an experience that uses the elements to help you reconnect to nature.

What is a sweat Lodge Ceremony?

The Sweat Lodge Ceremony is an ancient practice, often considered the earliest ritual of humankind. In Meso-America, it is known as "the ceremony of the memory of the first breath." This ceremony was a crucial part of the spiritual practices of ancient mastodon hunters, forming a sacred trinity alongside the yuwipi ceremony and the vision quest. Its purpose is to help us live our lives in a good and humble way, to cultivate gratitude, and to seek guidance in overcoming the challenges, problems, and illnesses—whether of mind, body, heart, or spirit—that we may face.

What is a sweat lodge?

A sweat lodge is a small, dome-shaped structure used in indigenous spiritual and healing practices. It resembles a tent made from natural materials and covered with blankets or hides. In Mexico, a sweat lodge is commonly known as a temazcal. The word temazcal comes from the Nahuatl language, with "temāz" meaning "steam" and "calli" meaning "house," so it translates to "house of steam." The temazcal has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures in Mexico for purification, healing, and spiritual ceremonies. The inside is dark and enclosed, with a central pit where heated stones, known as "grandfathers," are placed. Water is poured over these stones to create steam, filling the space with intense heat. Participants sit around the stones, and the ceremony involves prayer, singing, and sometimes meditation. The heat, steam, and ritual are believed to purify the body, mind, and spirit, offering a connection to the Earth and a means of spiritual renewal.

Which tradition will the ceremony follow?

Traditions vary from culture to culture. Becky, your sweat lodge pourer takes inspiration from the traditions of the native, North American Lakota tribe. The Lakota people, renowned as a strong and fierce tribe of warriors, form part of the larger Sioux people - the People of the Seven Council Fires (Oceti Sakowin Oyate). 

Who holds the ceremony?

Becky's passion for this medicine began over ten years ago, when she sat in her first Sweat Lodge in the mountains of Ecuador. She has continued this practice of ceremonial prayer in Central and South America, including time living in communities following the path of The Red Road.

The love she has for these traditions took her to Scotland, where she completed her lodge training with Twobirds Cunningham in 2021. For over two years, Becky has facilitated her own lodges in the UK, blending inspiration from the Lakota peoples of the Sioux and traditions of the indigenous peoples of ancient Mexico. Her love for nature and the elements is truly reflected inside and outside the lodge. 

The sweat lodge is a safe confidential space. Everyone agrees to maintain confidentiality for their fellow participants. After the sweat lodge, we will share food around the fire. It is important to have this time to connect and decompress after the lodge.

How long is the event?

This is a whole day event. There is no fixed schedule linked to time. Things unfold as the day goes by, and things happen when the time is right. We will finish by 7pm. Please plan for an easy day the next day. 

Location:The Burrow is located 3 miles from Farnham Train Station. When you book your ticket, you’ll receive an email with further information, including the precise location. Closer to the event, we’ll set up a WhatsApp group for pre planning discussions, including car sharing should you require.

What should I bring?

A towel or two if you wish to sit on one inside the lodge. Keep in mind it will get sweaty and muddy.

Traditionally, women wear a dress that covers shoulders and knees. This is not a requirement at your lodge. A sarong is perfect, it's light and keeps you covered. A bikini underneath is ideal. Please don't turn up in only swimwear or underwear. Men usually wear shorts.

Warm clothes for after the lodge (expect to get muddy).

Any food you’d like to share around the fire afterwards (this is an offering, not a requirement, there is food provided).

For the water ceremony, a small amount of water that is special to you. Some people like to take this from a natural water source. Tap water is a lifeline for most of us, and relevant too.

You are invited to bring an instrument and share a song in the time before the lodge.

Some people like to fast before a Sweat Lodge. It’s important to do what feels safe and right for you. If you think you may like to eat before you enter, please bring something with you. A light breakfast three to four hours before the ceremony suits many people. It is traditional not to take water into the Sweat Lodge. However, when the door opens after each round, we will share water. You can ask for some, and you can bring in your own bottle of water if that feels right.

An item for the altar if you wish. The altar is exactly that and more. A space where you can place all your meaningful, spiritual, or mystical items for display. The altar is sacred, as are the items on it and the fire. There is a spirit line between the fire, altar, and lodge, which we do not cross.

Metal jewellery can get hot in the Sweat Lodge. Taking it off is not a requirement, but it’s something to consider. You must take out contact lenses before entering the sweat lodge and leave any glasses outside, so please bring something safe to put them in. The darkness renders us all blind within the lodge. If you struggle to see without your lenses, please ask for assistance, and someone will guide you in and out. Someone will always be on hand to accompany anyone if they need to leave the sweat lodge midway through.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐚, 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.

**If the cost of this sweat lodge is more than you can prioritise right now, please contact us directly. This event is not designed as a fun rainy day, activity. It is a healing experience, with purification at the core. We will reduce the price for anyone with a limited budget who needs the experience.**