One can find sweat lodge ceremonies in several indigenous cultures around the world. The sweat lodge is a way to purify the body, mind, and soul. Our sweat lodge ceremonies have their origins from the Lakota/Sioux people. The tradition has been taught and passed down between generations for many years, and now it has arrived here. In Lakota, the ceremony is called "Ini Kaga," which translates to "to create life/the life" or "Inipi," which means "life within."

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A sweat lodge is created using willow trees that are bent and tied together to form a semi-spherical shape. Once the willow skeleton is complete, the lodge is covered with blankets and fabric. There is an opening left so that one can enter and exit the lodge. It is low, so one must assume a crawling position to enter, which reminds us to be humble and leave our ego outside. The lodge is a place for prayer.

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The first step in a sweat lodge ceremony is to stack the fire pit. When this is done, stones are placed on top of the wood in a specific order and the forces from the four cardinal directions are called upon. Through this prayer, these forces are invited to be present in the ceremony. Then, the fire is lit. A fire keeper takes care of the fire throughout the entire period it burns and ensures that the stones are constantly covered with wood and embers. The stones are ready when they are glowing red.

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Now, the participants can enter the sweat lodge. When everyone is inside the lodge, the fire keeper carries the stones to the door of the sweat lodge. The stones are placed in a pit in the center of the sweat lodge in a specific order and location. The first five stones are greeted in silence, as with these five stones come five spirits into the lodge. After this, the rest of the stones are placed. When the door is closed, there is no light except for the glow of the hot stones.

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The first step in a sweat lodge ceremony is to stack the fire pit. When this is done, stones are placed on top of the wood in a specific order and the powers from the four directions are called upon. Through this prayer, these powers are invited to be present in the ceremony. Then, the fire is lit. A fire keeper takes care of the fire throughout the entire time it burns and ensures that the stones are always covered with wood and embers. The stones are ready when they are glowing red.

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Now, one can enter the sweat lodge. When all participants are inside the lodge, the fire keeper carries the stones to the door of the sweat lodge. The stones are placed in a pit in the center of the lodge, in a specific place and order. The first five stones are greeted in silence, as these five stones bring in five spirits into the lodge. When this is done, the rest of the stones are placed. Then, when the door is closed, there is no light except for the glow from the hot stones.

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The person who leads the ceremony now prays to the four directions, the sky, and the earth. Water is poured on the stone in the direction that is being prayed to. Immediately, the water turns into steam that spreads around all those present. Quickly, the entire sweat lodge is filled with hot steam, and the first song is sung. The songs in this ceremony are in Lakota. These ancient, sacred songs all have a unique significance for the ceremony and create different moods.

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A sweat lodge consists of different rounds, and the door is opened between each round so that the steam goes out and cool, fresh air comes in. When the door is open, there is an opportunity to drink water that is passed around by the ceremony leader.

It is the creation process that is relived inside the lodge. First, the earth was a glowing hot stone, and there was no life on its surface. Then, rain and thunder came from the sky and cooled down the earth. Over time, an atmosphere was created, and life emerged. Many people experience that a sweat lodge ceremony has a transformative and renewing effect on their life; life is created anew.

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If you want to experience and share this ceremony with us, you are warmly welcome.