A prayer and intention are set prior to the ceremony
Temazcal is something that was completely foreign to me when I first made the decision to visit a new retreat center in Riviera Maya, Mexico called Alma Maya. I had heard of others’ experiences in passing and remembered words like, sweat lodge, transcendental, purification, meditation, and hot! I figured since we were there to explore and scout out a new retreat center, I wanted to see and do as much as I could to get a real “taste” of the venue. One of the items on the list was the Temazcal. Temazcal is an ancient pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica ritual thats purpose is purification and healing. The tradition typically happens in a dome-shaped structure that simulates the womb. During this ceremony which usually takes a couple of hours, participants enter the dome and stay there the entire time. Since I didn’t know what I was getting into, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share the most important things I think people should know before committing to and participating in Temazcal.
1. Temazcal Ceremony will include physical discomfort
The prayer and purification prior to entering the dome
It’s important to be aware that you WILL be uncomfortable at some point during the ceremony and ritual. Part of the experience is to learn to breathe through that, center your focus, clear your mind, and eliminate the negative voice in your head. There are many spiritual aspects of this ceremony (some I understood and some were completely over my head) but the intention is to purify and heal the body and mind. If you are claustrophobic, uncomfortable in high temperatures, anxious about not knowing what to expect, be prepared. This is not for the faint of heart and you WILL be taken out of your comfort zone. The biggest preparation that I can give those who haven’t done this is that there are four different phases of the ritual signifying the 4 elements: water, earth, fire, and air. You have no concept of time within the adobe walls of the dome, it is completely dark, and at times can feel difficult to breathe. At one point, one of our guests asked how much longer it was going to be and the shaman told her “might be 5 minutes, might be 50”. This can cause a LOT of anxiety with people…the not knowing.
2. Temazcal will include emotional and mental discomfort
Along with the intense heat and darkness, you will experience emotional and mental discomfort. Often this can take the form of “talking yourself out of it”, or convincing yourself that you can’t do it. If you are suffering from any type of trauma or mental health issues, this can really bring to light a lot of emotions buried beneath the surface. When you are placed in a situation where there is no stimulation or distraction of any sort, it’s a perfect opportunity to sit with some of the feelings that are deep within the subconscious mind. If this frightens you, this may not be for you…or maybe it is the perfect thing for you.
3. There are many physical benefits of Temazcal
There are several physical benefits of Temazcal including improved circulation and blood flow, flushing toxins out of the body, improvements in skin, and has been known to aid in weight loss. While I couldn’t find any definitive data on the true nature of Temazcals physical benefits, I would equate similar data that has been acquired from the use of steam rooms for the above benefits. I think that the mental improvements can often outweigh the physiological benefits. This is an incredibly meditative, grounding, and centering spiritual ceremony that can have a powerful impact on your own mental and emotional clarity. If that is something you seek, this may be the perfect experience.
4. Prepare your body for the event
Cool plunge pool under the moonlight
As I mentioned earlier, it is going to be HOT. And it’s going to continue to get hotter and hotter through the phases of the ceremony. There will be short reprieves from the heat in between the phases but just when you think you might be getting close to the end, more heat comes. I do believe there was a tremendous amount of steam that was on my body but there was also a lot of sweating happening as well. Make sure you are well hydrated prior to the ceremony. I would not recommend eating a large meal right before the ritual as well. It’s not something that feels great on a full stomach. Proper hydration is really the most important. Plan to drink as much as 100 ounces in the hours leading up to the ceremony depending on your body weight. Wear as little clothing as possible. We performed it in our bathing suits but I have heard some have gone into the ceremony completely naked.
5. You can and should be able to leave any time you want
This is something that should be discussed with the shaman or leader of the Temazcal prior to the ceremony. However, if you are feeling uncomfortable, light-headed, or faint at any time and wish to leave, you should be able to. This is a ceremony that is rooted in ancient spiritual traditions and you should be aware of that prior to attending. Someone exiting the dome at any time can impact the ceremony and be distracting. However, this shouldn’t deter you from trying it as I think there’s something for everyone in this type of ceremony. After the ritual, there’s usually a cool plunge pool to dip into after. That might have been my favorite part.
Temazcal is definitely an incredible experience for anyone who is open to the journey. While it is not for everyone, I think it’s something that should be respected and appreciated for what it is and it’s an incredible way to connect with the ancient people who came before us.