What is a Temazcal and what are the benefits?
The Temazcal Ceremony is one of our favorite rituals for its power and the deep healing it offers. The ritual works simultaneously with our physical, energetic and spiritual bodies, helping us to clean our thoughts, emotions, and karma. We invite you to continue reading amazing information down here For reservations please contact Dune`s Boutique Hotel Front Desk. *Temazcal ceremonies will be available again in our weekly schedule as soon as sanitary restrictions allow us to do so.
Mexico has understood the benefits of a temazcal ceremony for centuries. Part-sweat lodge/part-sacred ritual, participants have reported feeling physically, emotionally and mentally healthier. Now, many of the finest luxury resorts and hotels across the country have introduced them into their spa offerings. To find out more, I spoke to Cynthia Torres, part of The Jungle Spa team at luxury resort Imanta in Punta Mita, which puts on its own ceremonies.
What is a temazcal ceremony?
During a ceremony, participants will enter a sweat lodge (typically an igloo-shaped hut) constructed from volcanic stone, wood or cement. Once inside, hot volcanic rocks are placed in the center, and water is poured over the rocks to produce steam. Herbs, typically sage or copal, are added to aid the cleansing process. While every ritual is different, ceremonies can last around two hours which might include a shaman-led series of thanksgiving or chanting. At Imanta, for example, the ceremony begins outside the sweat lodge, next to where the stones are being heated. “We start around the fire… being thankful [for] this forest and the earth,” Cynthia told me. “When you come inside the temazcal you [kneel] on your knees, kiss the earth and ask to be on the belly button of the earth” — the temazcal represents the belly button and the rebirth of the participants. You are then given tobacco, she tells me, throwing it onto the stones while focussing on an area of life you want to improve. Cynthia said: “You can speak here and feel more freedom with yourself because the temazcal is a mindfulness session. It’s a great experience, and you sleep like a baby [after].”
The history of temazcal ceremonies
These ancient rituals have been part of Mexican and South American culture for around 1,000 years. The word itself originates from a Nahuatl word Temāzcalli, which translates to “house of heat.” Thought to have derived from the Pre-Hispanic indigenous people of Mesoamerica, the cleansing ritual took place before and after battles and sports tournaments. It was also thought to have healing powers and was a place to give birth.
What are the benefits?
- PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Temazcal, like other forms of steam room, has many physical benefits. Aston University in England, for example, notes the following five pros.
- FLUSHES OUT TOXINS
Sweat helps to push out toxins — a catch-all name for generally harmful bodies that enter our systems. Getting rid of them can help to improve your overall well-being.
- CLEARS SKIN
The steam produced by pouring cold water over the hot rocks helps to flush out impurities in the skin, clearing the pores and creating a smoother look. Steam rooms could also help to treat acne.
- SUPPORTS WEIGHT LOSS
Increasing the amount you sweat can help you get rid of water weight. While not a cause for concern, water weight can cause bloating and be uncomfortable.
- AIDS BLOOD FLOW
The heat in a temazcal ceremony will open up your capillaries, allowing blood to move around the body more easily. This has many benefits including increased oxygen levels and lower blood pressure.
- DECREASES RISK OF DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S
Sitting in a sweat lodge is understood to decrease the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published in the scientific journal Age And Ageing.
- RELEASES MENTAL BURDENS
Finally, many temazcal ceremonies involve deep contemplation akin to meditation. “It’s like… psychological therapy,” Cynthia told me. “It’s a very ancient ritual that we did for sanity, to be healthy, to be balanced, to stay calm in our minds.”
7 Tips To make The Most Of your First Temazcal
They say that the temazcal is the best option to purify mind, body and soul . For thousands of years, Mesoamerican cultures used this steam bath as a healing ritual. The four elements are involved in the process: the earth supports the fire, while this heats the water until it turns into steam. If you’ve never participated in this traditional purification ritual, here are some tips to help you arrive as prepared as possible.
1.- Choose Your Clothes Wisely. Trust me, you don’t want to go to a temazcal with too much or too little clothes. A swimsuit with a blanket or sarong will always be the best option. It is good to have a garment on hand with which you can wipe off excess sweat and dirt that will invariably reach your face. Leave some light clothing outside the temazcal to use as a blanket on the way out. While the steam purifies you, you want to have as little clothing on you as possible, but you never know what the weather will be on your way out.
2.- Try to Go Rested and Without Having Eaten Much: The temazcal can be an intense experience, especially if you are not used to steam baths. Having a very full stomach, staying awake, or worse, being raw can make you go from enjoyment to physical discomfort very quickly. It is best to stay focused on the moment, without physical discomfort or other problems that interfere with your state of calm and relaxation.
3.- Follow the Flow of The Ritual: The temazcal has very clear pre-Hispanic roots. If you want to do it well, it is important that you follow the instructions of your guides, otherwise, the temazcal does not matter as the sauna in your gym. When you enter the temazcal hit the head on the ground as a sign of gratitude. This thank you almost always goes to Ometeotl, the god of duality in Mexica mythology. Once inside the temazcal, you must move clockwise, that is, you will start walking to the left and sadras on your right.
4.- If You Feel Bad, Do not Despair: If the sensation of heat is extreme, it is best to get down on the floor and lower your head. The closer your face is to the earth, the fresher you will be. If you feel like you’re going to pass out, don’t try to get out right away… because then you’ll end up on the floor. Do not worry or despair, breathe calmly and wait for your body to get used to the conditions around you. Sometimes the heat can make us think that there is not enough oxygen and that we are suffocating, but this is not the case. A temazcal does not pose any risk to your health. Of course, if you suffer from any medical condition, it is better to indicate it to those in charge so that they can guide you better.
5.- Do not Forget to Ask for The Floor: If the heat is unbearable and you are sure you want to go out or need to go to the bathroom, do not feel sorry and in a moment of silence ask for the floor to do so. It is always important to ask to speak and communicate what you are feeling.
6.- Remember the True Purpose Of The Temazcal: Each temazcal is different, but remember that the primary intention is to sweat and eliminate toxins. It is a medicinal bath, not a psychedelic ritual. If the shaman does not sing, you do not have visions or something very spiritual and revealing does not happen to you, it does not mean that you have had a failed experience, these are simply not the objectives.
7.- Do not Be Afraid Of The Cold: It is recommended that you pour yourself a bucket of cold water when leaving the temazcal. This helps to raise energy levels and generates a response in the immune system that completes the healing cycle. If you have already reached this point, it is worth finishing the experience well!
A Bit Of Historical Context
Although you can find temazcales throughout the country, not all pre-Hispanic cultures were assiduous to this ritual. In the center of the country temazcales have been found in Teotihuacán, Monte Albán, Tlatelolco and Tula; In the Mayan zone, vestiges have been discovered in Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tikal, Tulum and other archaeological zones. In many states, such as Chiapas, Oaxaca and Quintana Roo, this tradition never disappeared and its modern manifestations are adaptations of the same ritual that has been practiced for hundreds of years.