Fall 2009
Sweat Lodge Ceremony
held at Relax4Life in Barrington, IL
updated 10/18/09

NOVEMBER SWEAT CANCELLED!

(all sweat lodge ceremonies are from 8:30 a.m. - approx. 6:00 p.m.) 

click on the date below to securely register for a Sweat Lodge ceremony online.  

NOVEMBER SWEAT CANCELLED!

Saturday, November 7th 2009         8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

$60 non-refundable donation which goes to St. Joseph's Indian School

Sweat Lodge participants are eligible to earn 8 CEs/CEUs-for Social Workers, Counselors, Massage Therapists & School Teachers.

  Your $60 non-refundable donation goes directly to St. Joseph's Indian School, a charity that has been caring for and educating Lakota Sioux children since 1927.  Visit them at  www.stjo.org  

If you would like to participate please register online by clicking the date of the sweat above.  Also below is a photo of people enjoying a previous Sweat Lodge experience (it is intentionally blurry to foster anonymity).

Register online for all Sweats and find out what to bring in the information below...You will also receive an email confirmation containing this information when you register:

(847) 842-1752

A Sweat Lodge ceremony is like an earth church for native peoples around the world, including Native-Americans.  It is a dome that is made out of the bending and fastening together of young willow branches and tarps/blankets that cover the branches.  Rocks are heated for several hours prior to the start of the sweat, and once the sweat has begun, rocks are brought into the lodge and placed in a center space that has been dug out to hold them.  During the 4-part ceremony, everyone in the lodge has several opportunities to pray/release/ask the spirits of each of the four directions for what they need for themselves and others, or to give thanks for blessings and teachings they have received in their lives.  It is all a wonderful, communal process that is guided by the leader and by the cleansing heat  that occurs within the lodge.  

Note* the "sweat" that is released during the ceremony tends to have no odor, so the ceremony feels very cleansing to all.  Most of the preparation and the lodge itself is held out of doors so please dress for the weather.

click on the date below to securely register online.

Saturday, November 7th         8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

$60 non-refundable donation which goes to St. Joseph's Indian School

Information:

We are honored that you our considering participation in our Sweat lodge experience offered by Terry Kinsey of Mother Earth Adventures on the grounds of Relax4Life Center in Barrington, Illinois. This sacred ritual is not run in traditional native style, but rather stems from the leader’s experience with native ritual. This ceremony is often a centering and empowering experience, and has helped many as they travel their spiritual paths. We offer this experience with the deepest honor and respect for the spiritual lives of indigenous peoples.

Attendees: This will be an intergenerational experience, welcoming those who are of high school age and beyond. Diversity of religion, spirituality, race, culture and sexual orientation is highly cherished and truly enriches our experience together.

Donation:  $60-All donations go to the St. Joseph's Indian School.  See their website for further information about this very worthwhile organization that has been caring for and educating Lakota Sioux children since 1927.  www.stjo.org 

 Fasting:  It is recommended (but not required) to fast on the day of the ceremony.  Water drinking is very important throughout the day.  Please bring with you a gallon of fresh water for yourself.

Feast (Pot Luck):  Please bring a pre-prepared/pre-cut vegetarian dish to share after the ceremony that can be removed from a refrigerator and put out on a table as is or requires minimal microwaving to heat up.  Drinks such as Gatorade and natural fruit juices are also welcome.  As a suggestion, you may want to bring enough food so that 17 people have a taste of what you bring. 

To clarify, all breads, vegetables and fruits need to be pre-cut.  For example, whole watermelons, pineapples or loaves of bread need to be cut up before you arrive and placed in a container to be simply taken from a refrigerator, opened and placed on a table for easy serving.  Your host for the event does not have the time or kitchen space available to cook, cut or prepare foods.   We do however have plenty of serving spoons, so no need to bring any.  Any item to be served hot needs to be pre-cooked and brought in a microwaveable container with written instructions for minimal microwave re-heat.  

 Prayer:   It is recommended that you start to make your prayers and think about your intention for participating in the lodge at least 1 week prior to the ceremony.  This can include what you want to receive from the lodge, what you are grateful in your life for having, what you want to release in the ceremony (unproductive attitudes, perceptions, personality traits etc.)  If you choose, you may also bring a favorite poem, song etc. to share.

 Clothing:  Men & Women sweat together unless posted as an "all-male" or "all female" sweat.  Dress for the outside weather and suggestions for clothing to be worn inside the lodge are as follows:

 Females: 

Loose-fitting dress, or shorts and t-shirt or bathing suit covered by a t-shirt or not.  This is to be worn under your outdoor clothing or brought along to change into.

 Males:

Shorts or bathing suit.  This is to be worn under your outdoor clothing or brought along to change into.

 Bring 2 towels for wiping off after the lodge and bring an optional change of clothing. Also, please bring a folding lawn chair (if you have one) and a gallon bottle of fresh water.

Ceremonial Gift:   Terry Kinsey, the sweat leader, follows a Buddhist tradition of DANA, or mutual giving. It has supported monks in the Buddhist culture for 2500 years. The monks offer their guidance and the people support the monastery and fill the monks’ begging bowls each morning as they walk through the village on alms rounds. It is a beautiful exchange, in which the hearts of both the giver and receiver are opened in joy and gratitude, and love flows between them.

Terry donates his time and energy as our lodge leader and does not receive any money for doing so.  If after a lodge, you wish to offer Terry some money in appreciation of his time and energy (which he donates to charity), it will be warmly and gratefully received. A DANA bowl will be placed in the "feasting" area with his name on it toward the end of each lodge experience. You are always very welcome here whether or not you choose to or are capable of placing a donation in the DANA bowl for Terry.

Be aware that most of the experience is done outside, so dress accordingly. If you have further questions, feel free to call Relax4Life Center at: (847) 842-1752 or e-mail us at info@relax4life.com.  You may also contact Terry Kinsey, the sweat leader at 708-383-3957 or e-mail: terrykinsey@comcast.net or visit www.motherearthadventures.com

Note: If you have any medical or psychological concerns, please call us ahead of time and make sure you ask your doctor or therapist if participating in the lodge is appropriate and safe for you.

As a reminder: for the sake of those with environmental allergies, you will not be permitted to participate if you or your clothes are fragrant. Perfumes, Colognes, Scented Skin Cremes/Hairsprays/Lotions/Deodorants/Shampoos, Aromatic Oils are just a few of the products that are not permitted in or around the center.  There is also no smoking of cigarrettes in or on the property.  Thank you for your consideration.

To Register:

(847) 842-1752
info@relax4life.com

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