Our retreats with Ayllu Medicina always begin with a Temezcal, or a sweat lodge. For me, it is a time to sweat out what is stuck, and reconnect with my inner self and intention.

After weeks or months of anticipation, traveling for several hours, and finally arriving to the space of a retreat, it is of course normal to feel excitement, relief, and nerves.  We are carrying energies and thought-patterns from our “everyday life” that do not just float away on the airplane. To mark the official arrival to the space, we will begin every retreat with a temazcal, or sweat lodge.  Seated around a fire, you will begin connecting with the element and your purpose to start your process of deep inner work and transformation. 

We then enter the sweat lodge. Led by our experienced guides, this is a chance to experience a rebirth brought upon purely by your intention and attention as you focus on praying, singing, and appreciating the elements of Mother Earth. 

The sweat lodge is one of the oldest ceremonies that exist, also known as the Ceremony of Origin. It is a profound experience of rebirth in the womb of our Mother Earth. As an ancestral ceremony of the Native American Tradition, their cosmovision says that this ceremony is a way to recreate the creation of Life. 

When I enter a  sweat lodge, crawling on the ground and sitting up right, legs folded, waiting for the heat to begin, I breathe with the knowledge that these moments of prayer and release are here to remind me of my connection to the Earth, her elements, and my ancestors which are now a part of the Earth. 

The sweat lodge is in a circular space located in the East, which represents the maternal womb, and is covered by canvas until it is completely dark. In the West is the fire, which represents the Sun and its creative power. Volcanic stones are heated in the fire until they are completely fiery red. Once these ancient stones are ready, they are placed in a hole in the sweat lodge. Then we close the door, beginning an experience where we connect intimately with our inner being through the darkness of the space and heat of the old stones. The movement of our energies begins through prayer, intentions, native songs and silence. There are four rounds, each one in honor of the 4 elements of life: body (earth), heart (water), mind (fire), and spirit (wind), taking us to soul spaces where we experience the understanding of being part of an indivisible whole. 

Returning to this womb of Mother Earth makes it possible to recreate our impressions and projections on the world, consciously modifying our original codes. 

For me,  this ceremony is my form of church. It reminds me that we are all a part of Nature and that our life has a purpose, from which we must take responsibility. It is a deeply spiritual way to move unwanted stress, body-aches- release toxins from body and generate vitality.

The only way to begin a true retreat and transformation.