Sweat Lodge | Earth-Sound

Inipi Ceremony

Inipi (commonly called sweat lodge) is a Lakota word meaning "breathing life". This ceremony has been transmitted through generations for thousands of years to improve people's lives. It is a sacred place to explore, develop and enhance our relationship to what is. An accelerator to spiritual growth and a powerful way to pray, cleanse and heal ourselves.

Inipi workshops in the East Mountains

Inipi workshops are ongoing in Tijeras, New Mexico (Yrisarri). Anyone respectful is welcome to join. It is an opportunity to honor ourselves and life on Earth.

To receive upcoming announcements, use this link.

Inipi Preparation:

Similar to the way the Fire Keeper builds the Inipi ceremony through his/her relationship to the fire, participants build their individual ceremony within the collective ceremony - through their relationship with the Great Spirit - from the moment they commit themselves to it. All energy directed in synergy with the ceremony will accumulate to become gifted back to the participants and to Life. Clear intentions and committed engagement are what make this process powerful. Please reflect on what you would like to receive from the ceremony.

We have limited spots for about 13 people in the lodge. These spots can be a considerable blessing for people. Signing up for an Inipi is a significant commitment in relationship to oneself, Tunkashila (helping spirits), the ones providing the ceremony, and our relatives joining along. For these reasons please avoid canceling especially at the last minute, which also makes it difficult for someone to fill that spot.

It is important to avoid alcohol, drugs or anything that alters your natural state 24 hours prior to the ceremony. If you are taking medication, have any health issues, concerns or questions please discuss with Jacques here prior to attending.

On the day of the lodge, make sure to come well hydrated. You may also consider being well satiated from a balanced and nourishing meal, others prefer to fast. We recommend wearing light and comfortable clothing inside the lodge, and bringing a water bottle, 3 towels, flashlight, and a change of clothes for after the lodge (we get heavily steamed in the lodge). If you are staying overnight after the Inipi, bring a sleeping bag, a pillow and any food you’ll need for the next day.

Mantras, healing songs and songs of love, as well as any appropriate musical instruments such as hand drums and rattles are encouraged for inside the lodge!

Afterwards, we will provide a healthy meal (mainly organic food, if animal product, we do our best to only provide from caring farmers). If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know asap prior to the event. Please contribute towards kitchen clean-up when we are complete, Thank you.

Your conscious gratitude, consideration, and participation are greatly appriciated!

Note: Due to the amount of time, energy, wood, and resources it takes to hold these Inipis, we like to have a minimum of 6 relatives inside the lodge and one Fire Keeper. Therefore, in a case where we have a lower number of people, we might consider replacing the Inipi with some other healing event such as another healing class, sessions, special event… based on participants preferences. We will let participants know as soon as we can.

We are looking forward to celebrating with you!

Class preparation:

Read through the class descriptions here.

Bring a tea mug and comfortable clothing.

A note about Fire Keepers:

The Fire Keeper assists the medicine person by making & tending the Fire and preparing the Stone People (lava rocks) for the Inipi Ceremony. The Great Spirit manifests through the Fire as a guide and teacher for the ceremony and represents Life and Transformation. The Fire Keeper will build the ceremony through his/her relationship with the Fire. This in many ways is the most important role in the ceremony because they are the ones who anchor the frequency of Harmony throughout the ceremony - making sure we are safe, protected and within a space prepared for healing and growth. It is essential that the Fire Keeper is aware of this and that his/her heart is in a good place. The resulting gifts which are then bestowed upon the Fire Keeper are many.