Sweat Lodge (Inipi) Ceremony

The sweat lodge ceremony pre-dates recorded history and was practiced in some form by every culture in the world. These sweat lodges were held for reasons ranging from relaxation and socialization to healing and purification. Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) offers a sweat lodge that is based on traditions handed down from the Lakota People. These traditions are focused on prayer, purification, recognition, and healing. The lodge is a small dome-shaped structure in which participants sit on the earth. Heated stones are placed in the center of the lodge and the leader, or water pourer, pours water over the stones to create steam. There are four rounds that include the singing of sacred songs, and after each round the lodge door is opened for more stones to be brought in. Please note that the lodge is a small enclosure that is dark and extremely hot inside. If you have claustrophobia, or any medical conditions that prevent you from going into a sauna, you should not participate in this ceremony. We want people to have a safe experience, so there are certain protocols that need to be followed:
1. Women on their moon cycle (Sacred Monthly Time) should not participate in the sweat lodge. That is a powerful ceremony in itself and, according to the elders, we cannot be in two ceremonies at the same time.
2. Dress for men is shorts or swim trunks with no metal on them. Dress for women is a dress or skirt that goes below the knees (or sweat pants). Please do not wear sleeveless tank tops, bathing suits, metal jewelry, or makeup.
3. Bring at least two towels, one for inside the lodge and one for drying off afterwards.
4. Bring dry clothing to wear after the lodge.
5. There will be a sacred fire outside the lodge that the grandfathers (stones) are being heated in. Do not throw any trash into the sacred fire—it is not a bonfire.
6. Bring tobacco (loose smoking tobacco) as an offering. Prayer ties are welcome to be hung in the lodge or placed upon the altar. During warm months prayer ties will be made at Prairiewoods before the lodge starts. If making prayer ties, please bring cotton cloth (in black, red, yellow, and white), string, loose tobacco, and scissors.
7. Outside the lodge door is an altar made of earth. Sacred items may be placed upon the altar. Please respect the altar and do not handle others’ items.
8. Hydrate well before the sweat lodge. Please bring bottled water or other drinks to share (no alcohol). We usually have some fresh fruit to share after the lodge also.
9. The lodge leader will talk more about the ceremony itself before and during the actual ceremony. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have before the ceremony.
10. Lodge will start at dusk. Please come early.
A release form will need to be signed through Prairiewoods. These forms are available at the front desk and at the lodge. Prairiewoods also accepts free-will offerings that can be given when release forms are signed. Please note that any free-will offerings go to Prairiewoods, not to anyone associated with the preparation or running of the sweat lodge ceremony. For additional information, read Mother Earth Spirituality by Ed McGaa or The Sacred Pipe by Black Elk. Registration is required, so please contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700.