http://www.care2.com/greenliving/sweat-lodge-deaths-detoxing-to-extreme.html
Sweat Lodge Deaths: Detoxing to the Extreme?
By Jessica Root, Planet Green
When word hit the newswire that three adults passed away during a five-day “spiritual warrior” retreat intended for “spiritual cleansing,” every bone in my yoga-practicing, spirituality-seeking body cringed. I thought, here’s just another new age-y story gone awry to give all of us yogins a bad name.
I resolved not to lose myself in the idiosyncrasies of stereotypes and instead tried to extract a hopefully useful lesson out of this sad story: cleanses can be dangerous when taken to extremes, or highly beneficial when used in moderation.
We Americans often seek the quick fix–the lose 30 pounds in 30 days mentality. A quick stroll down a health food store aisle easily gives this away, touting all sorts of powders, formulas and pills to help detox our way to greater health. It doesn’t help that these detox diets, fat-free fads and other methods to cleanse the body have been popularized thanks to celebrities, supermodels and nutritionists alike.
In my opinion, quick, commercial fixes to cleanse or detox anything as sensitive as the human body should be seriously scrutinized.
Detox Safely, in Small, Moderate Steps
As my yoga instructor often reminds me, something as simple as small modifications to our diets or minor changes in exercise can naturally create a cleansing affect. And even better, without the risks (yes, even deadly) that come with full-blown fasts, nutritional supplements and rituals. For example:
- If you find yourself drinking little more than your morning cup of coffee during the day, begin adding in a couple glasses of water. You may notice a feel-good effect that helps flush out impurities and keep you hydrated.
- If you’re hooked on coffee, try substituting it with tea. Beyond the withdrawal headaches you might find yourself feeling better and less prone to low-energy crashes.
- Do veggies make it low on your grocery priority list? Start adding in a new vegetable to your diet each week and see how you feel. The dose of fiber might lend to easier elimination–not to mention boost your antioxidant intake.
Cleanse Through Yoga, Naturally
If you have a non-existent exercise routine, begin adding in a simple yoga pose to your day–or a yoga class into your week. Yoga poses, by nature, all contain cleansing qualities, as they help twist, squeeze and extract toxins out from your organs and out of your pores.
The point that needs to be remembered is that, just like how, small, green steps can add up to making a significant dent in the green movement, small steps towards health all add up too! It doesn’t take sitting in a sweat lodge, calorie deprivation or terrible tasting concoctions.
How did you react to the news of the sweat lodge deaths? What implications do you feel it has? Please share below.
Planet Green is the multi-platform media destination devoted to the environment and dedicated to helping people understand how humans impact the planet and how to live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Its two robust websites, planetgreen.com and TreeHugger.com, offer original, inspiring, and entertaining content related to how we can evolve to live a better, brighter future. Planet Green is a division of Discovery Communications.
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27 comments
add your comment »If they was in the sweat lodge for quite a while, I wouldn't doubt it if they were severely dehydrated. It's important to get enough water and not take things to the extreme.
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This website is collecting information from others who have experience with James Ray and JRI.
http://sweatlodgeinvestigation.com/
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The point that needs to be remembered is that, just like how, small, green steps can add up to making a significant dent in the green movement, small steps towards health all add up too! It doesn't take sitting in a sweat lodge, calorie deprivation or terrible tasting concoctions.
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Confucius say: When greed meets wishful thinking, disaster is sure to follow. (Apologies to Confucius and any Confucians in the house) Actually, I suspect that somewhere along the line, he probably did say something of the sort. But what the Romans said was equally important: Caveat Emptor!
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I have to say I have no experience what so ever with a sweat lodge. That being said, people need to take personal responsibility for themselves. I have to imagine these people had to have some hint that there was something wrong before they died...why didn't they leave?? We need to know our bodies well enough that when something is going terribly wrong that we have the sense to not trust our health to a stranger that just took money
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I don't know anything about sweat lodges vis a vis American Indians, but I do know that sweating is a natural phenomenon that we all do if we move around. Get outside, enjoy the sunshine and move. You will sweat and rid your body of unwanted toxins. It's a waste of time to sit around in a steam room or sauna in my opinion. However, if you must, I was always told you shouldn't stay in there for more than 15 minutes at a time.
People who pay big money to go to these places like the one where people died in the sweat lodge are just silly. I wish I had so much money and so much time on my hands.
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I couldn't agree more. For me Sweet lodge is a time to relax which means I don't need to think or work on anything. It's not some sort of nutritional supplements that helps me have a quick fix, for me it should be a time where all things freezes.
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Hi Sita, actually it is perfectly fine to lay down and open the bottom of the tent or blankets like we've used and breathe. In fact you can choose to leave at any moment if you don't feel comfortable.
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The last time I was a participant inside a sweat lodge, the leader was following the tradition of having breaks outside between the rounds; I get dehydrated easily, however, and that time, since I was not right next to the door, I lay down on the floor with my head out the bottom of the tent and gasped for air until I felt better. I realized at the time that that was NOT the proper way to act in a sweat lodge, but it felt like what I needed to do at the time to take care of myself. That was my last round of my last sweat. I did participate in a later sweat by tending the fire and carrying in hot bricks, then backing out respectfully. Sweats, done properly, are good for those who can handle them; I can't, and am glad I don't try them any more. By the way, it is allowed (in proper sweats) for people to leave whenever they need to, &/or not go back in for yet another round. I have never heard of people "having out-of-body experiences" during sweats; anyone I know associated with sweats would realize that it was actually a medical emergency taking place!
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It's amazing how people think that a sweat lodge has something to do with loosing weight. I am not sure where people would get such an idea. A sweat lodge when it's done properly is to done to connect to Spirit and send prayers to mother earth or whomever you wish to send them to. Each sweat lodge (that I've done anyway) has a theme like forgiveness, or gratitude etc. It is an amazing experience, the care taker is responsible for the people going in and they have been trained to hold space by whatever Native American Tribe they are from.
It is too bad that people are ignorant about what Native Americans sweat lodges are all about. I suggest people do more research and participate in a real one once in their lives.
By the way my Native American friend who has the sweat lodges said that there is NEVER any charge to participate in a proper sweat lodge, but if you want to donate your time or food, or things for the sweat lodge is perfectly fine!
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