Sweatlodges are traditionally built for spiritual and physical purification and are approached with honour and sacredness.
The symbolism evokes the return to the womb of Mother Earth and the connection with our ancestors.

The Sacred Fire, the Spirits, the elements and our own prayers lead us from the dark and warm interior of the lodge to infinite interior spaces, as individuals and as a community.

Often, upon leaving a sweatlodge, we feel a sense of having conquered a challenge with great determination, and at the very same time, we feel more united and interconnected with the people and nature around us.

It is often associated with the Lakota people; however, ancient knowledge reflects that in many parts of the world, sweating was embraced as healing:

• Scotland has remnants of their own Sweatlodges

• the Slavic continent and its Banyas

• South America with Temazcals

• Korea and their jjimjilbang (public bathhouses)

• India and the Swedana, a herbal steam therapy

• Turkey and the hammam

• Romans and many other Italian civilisations with their sudatorium and Terme

• Japan honours their Onsen and Iceland their geothermal pools

• Ancient Greeks and the βᾰλᾰνεῖον (bălăneîon)

• Polynesia promotes recovery by encouraging sitting in Umu (steam pits).

Typically, a Sweatlodge is a small-medium,dome-shaped hut, made of bent branches and covered with animal skins or canvas; In other traditions, there are versions including permanent sweat-houses built with bricks or stones.