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The temazcal, ancestor of the modern sauna bath, has therapeutic use and spiritual significance. How it is done, what benefits it offers and where to make a temazcal in Bahía de Banderas.
A temazcal is a steam bath inspired by traditional indigenous practices whose use extends to the present day in Mexico. It is an ancestor of modern sauna and Finnish baths. With one important difference: apart from its therapeutic uses, a temazcal has a spiritual meaning. This is an ancient design, whose origins are lost in the dawn of history. There are vestiges of its practice in different cultures. Mexico retains a very active community of practitioners.
mexican temazcales
The Mexican temazcal is of pre-Hispanic origin. Its name, from Nahuatl roots, means steam house (Temaz – steam, calli – house), and it survives thanks to the oral tradition of the indigenous communities.
Technically the temazcal follows the same principle as its modern relatives. It is carried out in a small closed structure where red hot stones are inserted. On these, water is poured to produce a steam bath. An element gives a unique identity to the Mexican bath: not only is water poured over the stones to produce steam, but also an infusion of medicinal plants.
Other symbolic elements add richness to it. The shape of the temazcal represents the womb of mother earth. The teachers who conduct the ritual emphasize that the aim is to experience a rebirth: the participants enter the mother's womb and are born again, clean, sanitized, leaving behind pain, discomfort and illness.
The experience is led by a guide who applies practices of a therapeutic or ritual nature: aromatherapy, songs, visualizations and meditation exercises that serve to guide the emotions of the group. Each ceremony can have a very different character depending on the shaman in charge (called a temazcalero, curandero or sudador).
A temazcal, step by step
There are many variants of this ceremony, which is part of the daily life of many Mexicans. In general, the participants gather around a large bonfire where the fire that heats the 33 volcanic stones that will be used in the ceremony is fed for more than an hour.
Before entering the enclosure -which can be made of mud or an interweaving of branches covered with canvas- it is customary to salute the four cardinal points, and an offering of tobacco preceded by a prayer or the expression of an intention. Then, the temazcalero greets the four cardinal points: “To the East, to Father Sun; to the South, to Mother Water; to the West, to the Moon, to all the mothers who died giving birth to their children; to the North to the elderly, to the volcanic grandparents…” Finally, he salutes the sky –the center of the universe– and bows to the ground –the center of the earth.
Next, people enter the small enclosure. The phrase "For all my relationships" is pronounced, which is the ritual way of asking for permission.
Once all the participants are inside, the stones are entered one by one, eight red-hot volcanic rocks, which are deposited in a hole dug in the center. The door is closed, the stones are smeared with copal, and the medicinal water is poured over the embers. The process is divided into four "doors", that is, four intervals of between 5 and 10 minutes after which the door is opened, the environment cools, the air is renewed and another eight stones are started again. The last one should be by the fire.
The entire session includes traditional chants, personal introductions, catharsis, and prayers. Also direct contact with the earth, with everyone on their belly on the ground, in the burning interior of the temazcal. At the farewell there will be emotional hugs, and upon return, a restful and deep sleep.
What benefits does a temazcal offer?
The temazcal acts purifying the respiratory tract and the digestive system, and toning the nervous system. It also helps in bone, muscular and gynecological problems through the heat of the bath and the healing properties of the different plants that are used in it.
Other qualities are of a spiritual order. The relaxation that the experience generates encourages introspection, reflection and even a different perception of time.
IMAGE GALLERY: How a temazcal is built
Where are temazcales made in Puerto Vallarta?
There are many places where temazcales are practiced. There are hotels that offer the service within their facilities or spas. However, to go to the root of this ancient and traditional practice we can enter the heart of the town. There are temazcaleros that are known in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit for the regularity of their calls:
- tonatiuh garcia, of Native Ceremonies, held meetings in the old monastery known as "El Palomar", near the bypass of downtown Vallarta.
- Resonant Martian performs temazcales in the middle of the exuberance of the jungle in its holistic center “zubuya”, 10 minutes from San Pancho.
- Ricardo Hernandez Lugoy Mayte Kuauthli They make temazcales at Rancho Madre Tierra, a few minutes from the urban area of Puerto Vallarta.
- Jose Villasenor make temazcales in the area of San Francisco, Nayarit.
