Sweat Lodges & Roman Baths
With all the news about the people who have died as a result of being in what’s known as a sweat lodge that was run by motivation authority James Arthur Ray, it seems important to talk about this, what it is, what happens, and whether it’s a good thing or not.
The concept of sweating as therapy goes back at least to 500 B.C., if not further. Hippocrates talked about it as a way to cure people of fever. The Roman Baths were heated to what could be considered as extreme heats, which of course were communal. Even the Mayans used sweat lodges of some sort as both therapeutic and relaxation methods.
Native Americans have used sweat lodges for centuries. The concept for them was more of a spiritual awakening, as well as a purification of the body ceremony. Sweat lodges came in many different sizes and shapes, but the intention was the same. Super heated rocks would be brought into the middle of the lodge, and during the ceremony water would be poured onto the rocks to create a thick smoky steam. Chants, meditations, and prayers would be spoken in many of them, while others required complete silence. Sometimes specific scents would be added to the water, or the requirements for building the lodge would include certain spices to help enhance the experience.
There are a few things about the lodges that make them dangerous. One, they’re not built very high. Almost none of them are built so that anyone of average height can stand up in them. Two, they’re not built very wide either. You will be put into the position where, unless you happen to be on either end, your leaving would require someone else to have to leave first to let you out, and then they’d have to go back in. Therefore, since this is a communal activity, someone deciding to leave ruins another person’s spiritual experience. One person talked about the need to stay inside because of everyone else, even as he was experiencing problems breathing. There’s supposed to be someone who monitors the group from the outside and who’s supposed to intercede if he notices any problems, but most of the time this person will only respond if someone makes a verbal request, which is rare.
Concentration is put into proper breathing, which is what’s always encouraged. However, when you read the accounts by many people who’ve gone through the process, almost all of them will recount the discomforts, even while some may also talk about what they got out of the experience. Some have said that would do it again, and many have, but just as many say it was a one time experience that they never have to do again.
One of the problems with sweat lodges is in who’s doing them. People who have gone through the process with a Native America tribe express a different sense than people who do it through other means. In both cases, it’s been acknowledged that people who aren’t in good health could suffer by going through this ceremony. At the same time, people believe this ceremony can cure many ailments.
It’s probably best not to do this if you have any reservations whatsoever. Extreme heat can do great harm to the body, and quickly. By the time you recognize you’re having a problem, it could be too late. This is dangerous, and should only be practiced by those with great skill at doing it. It could do some people as much harm as it does them good.
About the Author
For additional information on therapeutic practices, visit AZChiropracticandRehab.com to meet Gilbert chiropractor Dr. Mike Murhpy D.C., providing chiropractic care at his East Valley Mesa chiropractic and Chandler chiropractic office locations.
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