TEMAZCAL: A STEAMBATH FOR THE BODY AND SOUL
By Christina Lee
Image from INTHETEMAZCAL
Saunas, steam baths, sweat lodges, and sweat houses have been around for thousands of years. Modern versions of these ancient structures varies with their place of origin, with native Mexicans referring to a traditional sauna as a "temazcal," north of Mexico cultures calling it an "inipi" or "kiva," Europeans calling it a "savusauna" or "sudatory," the Chinese calling it "桑拿浴," and the Russians naming it "banya" or "banja."
It is not just a steam bath; temazcal tradition has a much deeper meaning. Although currently temazcal can be found in various resorts and spas, its spread has lacked meaning, symbolism, and ancient wisdom– leaving only the base of simple steam. Thus, many people are not aware of and commonly overlook the ancestral context and the spiritual significance of temazcal.
The History of Temazcal
Temazcal ceremonies have been part of Mexican and South American cultures for thousands of years. It is believed that the origins of the ritual can be traced back to the Mesoamerican cultures that have inhabited the Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala for centuries. The word itself originates from a Nahuatl word Temāzcalli, which translates to “house of heat.”
Image by Mimsie Ladner
Pre-Colombian Mesoamericans practiced temazcal ceremonies as part of curative, healing processes– for purification after physical activity or trauma, overall health, and childbirth. This ancient Mexican steambath played an important role in the development of good hygienic and spiritual practices. Participants worshipped the Goddess Tonantzin, who is our “Mother Earth,” and it was thought that inside the temazcal was her belly. This uterine symbolism tells us that people entered to die and be reborn symbolically. Similarly today, temazcal is known to be an effective medium for maintaining spiritual and esthetic health, as well as physical, emotional, and psychological healing processes.
Image from Journey Mexico
What Does A Temazcal Look Like?
Temazcal has many different shapes and sizes, but most are dome-shaped structures, like that of the Lakota (Sioux) inipi, or sweat lodge as shown in the illustration below. Modern ceremonial temazcal design comes mainly from Lakota culture, brought to the region by the people who learned the practice from the Lakotas.
Illustration from Wikipedia Commons
Each tribe or native people build their domes slightly differently based on local materials like adobe, stone, and even concrete. Or with willow trees tied together and covered with tarps, blankets, and animal skins. The main idea is to block the airflow and sunlight eh nthe door is closed. Most have dirt floors–making the interior feel primal, more natural.
Temazcal in form of a snake at Nanciyaga Ecological Reserve in Catemaco, Veracruz.
Image from Wikimedia
Temazcal made up of stones and its opening covered with a tarp
Image from The Green Maya Project
What Happens Inside a Temazcal?
Just as the structures of a temazcal vary, the ceremonies differ from region to region and clan to clan, but most include some common elements.
The ceremony begins by introducing “medicina” (medicine), “water,” and “abuelitas.” Abuelitas refer to as “grandmothers” or “ancient ones,” coming from the Madre Tierra (Mother Earth). Entering the dark interior of the temazcal, they glow red from the hours of heating on the sacred fire, and they crackle and hiss, filling the dark space with the “voces de las abuelitas” (the voices of the ancient ones).
Image from EcoTours Mexico
Medicine introduced into the space varies as well– depending on the particular traditions and the decisions of the guide. The ceremony may have a specific focus, healing requests, or petitions from participants. Common medicines include sage, sweet grass, copal resin, and Brazilian Pepper Tree leaves. Such medicine is infused in the steam– as the herbs, water, and fire intermix to fill the interior of the temazcal.
The guide would then close the door, indicating that everyone is inside the Planet Earth’s womb. The participants of the ritual feel a sort of sensory deprivation and a collective state of vulnerability shared amongst each other as darkness and heat fill the space. Throughout the ceremony, the guide would intermittently introduce more rocks, water, and medicine with rounds of songs, prayers, and petitions. The participants thus have to endure the gradually growing heat and steam throughout the ritual.
Image from Culture Trip
The Numerous Benefits of Temazcal
Image from Unearth Women
Detoxify the body:
Temazcal rituals are designed to cleanse the body of unwanted toxins and impurities. There is significant scientific evidence that increasing body heat can be effective in removing toxins through sweating.
Cleanse the respiratory system:
The steamy ritual can temporarily relieve the symptoms of the common cold and could reduce the incidence of colds. Inhaling the herbal steam can help fight respiratory diseases.
Image from Unearth Women
Combat mild depression:
Researchers have found that repeated thermal therapy can help patients suffering from mild depression, as well as reduce symptoms such as insomnia, appetite loss, and anxiety.
Aid recovery:
Thermal therapy increases blood circulation, thereby delivering vital hormones to areas of the body that most need them for recovery.
Help patients with arthritis:
Exposure to heat can help reduce pain in patients with arthritis because it stimulates the release of endorphins and hormones such as adrenaline.
Improve mental performance:
Regular exposure to elevated temperature levels can substantially increase the production of norepinepherine, a hormone which increases attention span. Heat also promotes the production of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth of new brain cells.
Increase stress resilience:
Heat stress has been shown to reduce anxiety levels in patients. Regular exposure to heat can lower cortisol levels, thereby relaxing and rejuvenating the body.
Image from Unearth Women
For many people, the main purpose of participating in temazcal ceremonies might be for the physical benefits of sweating out toxins. But for many others, the ceremonies are deeply spritual and hold more meaning. To purify and heal not only the body but also the mind and soul are the true purpose and overall benefit of temazcal.
If you are thinking of participating in a temazcal ceremony, make sure to have these in mind:
Stay hydrated: since you will be sweating a lot and lose a lot of fluids, make sure you keep hydrated throughout the ceremony.
Do not participate if you have a condition that do not allow you to be exposed in long periods of heat
Try to devote yourself fully to the ceremony
Do not wear too much clothing
Do not hesitate to leave: if at any point you feel uncomfortable, faint, or lightheaded, inform the guide to leave the dome
References:
Ladner, M. (2021, January 22). What to Expect from a Temazcal, the Ancient Prehispanic Sweat Lodge. Mims on the Move. https://www.mimsonthemove.com/2021/01/what-to-expect-from-temazcal-ancient.html.
Murray . (2020, January 24). Temazcal: What is it and what are the benefits? Journey Mexico. https://www.journeymexico.com/blog/temazcal-ceremony-guide.
Ohwovoriole, T. (n.d.). What Is a Temazcal. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-temazcal-5101237.
Pablo, & Sara. (2020, April 21). The Healing Magic of Mexico's Temazcal Ritual. Unearth Women. https://www.unearthwomen.com/2019/07/22/the-healing-magic-of-mexicos-temazcal-ritual/.
Renshaw, S. (2021, February 14). What is a Temazcal Ceremony? The Green Maya Project. https://www.greenmaya.mx/blog/2020/11/6/what-is-your-definition-of-church.
Temazcal Ceremony Cancun: EcoColors Tours. EcoTours Mexico. (n.d.). https://ecotravelmexico.com/mexico-cultural-tours/temazcal-cancun/.
Wakan, S. (2017). What is a Temazcal? http://inthetemazcal.blogspot.com/2017/02/what-is-temazcal.html.
Woodman, S. (2018, January 18). Temazcal: 10 Incredible Health Benefits of this Mayan Steam Bath Ritual. Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/mexico/articles/temazcal-10-incredible-health-benefits-of-this-mayan-steam-bath-ritual/.