| Temazcal, A Sweat Lodge Ritual Inspired by the Ancient Aztecs, at Ceiba Del Mar in Peurto Morelos, Mexico | |
Mark beat the drum faster and faster. The hiss of our maracas and sound of our voices joined in the cacophony, filling the tiny chamber with explosive volume. Suddenly, there was silence.
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The circular shape of the space, the low terracotta
walls, the dome of the brick ceiling and the three other people sharing this
experience could not be seen. The only source of light came from the soft glow
of once red-hot volcanic rocks cooling in the central pit. Mark dipped a fistful
of palm fronds into a container of herb-infused water and flicked them on the
pit. “Ahoo!” Clouds of thick, aromatic steam rose into the already hot,
moist room. This was the second of four parts of the Temazcal ritual.
I was
North – Fire: the Jaguar. Mark was East – Air: the Eagle. Alix was South –
Earth: the Serpent. Bob was West – Water: the Dolphin. We formed a medicine
wheel in the Temazcal, The House of the Hot Stones, an
Aztec sweat lodge. We were at Ceiba Del Mar Hotel & Spa, about 20 minutes
south of the Cancun airport. Mark, a dentist who has formally studied Temazcal and has a degree in indigenous medicine, was our guide through the experience.
Our
journey began in Ceiba Del Mar’s spacious spa where we changed into our bathing
suits in the separate men’s and women’s locker rooms. We then joined Mark in the
waiting area, and he led us down a winding path to the beach where we found a
roaring fire in a white, freestanding fireplace topped with a tall, thin
chimney. A contrasting white, squat structure reminiscent of an igloo - the Temazcal
- stood next to the fireplace, details of the designs encircling it
lost in the fading light of the sunset. Large logs had been placed in the sand
across from the entrance to form a defined space. A man dressed in white, The
Man of The Fire, slowly walked in this space. Pungent smoke from burning copal
resin drifted from a cup in his hand.
Mark explained that the Temazcal is the traditional sweat lodge of the population indigenous to Mexico, much like the sweat lodges of the native populations of the Northwest of North America and the Southwest of the United States. They were traditionally used to heal individuals of physical and spiritual ills.
Mark was
going to take us on a similar journey. First, we had to be cleansed before we
could enter the Temazcal. We were instructed to stand up, close our eyes, spread
our arms out wide and open our hands. Since my eyes were closed, I am not sure
what exactly was done, but I did smell smoke from burning copal resin. When this was
done, we crawled on our hands and knees, one-by-one to pass through the low door
of the structure. As we passed over the threshold, we were instructed to say,
“For my relationships!” to honor them.
Mark came
in last, took his position in the east and assigned us our new identities, the
four elements, by where we had chosen to sit. He told us we had symbolically
re-entered the womb to rid ourselves of the weight we carry with us in our
everyday lives - to look inside and find ourselves again. He asked us what we would like to accomplish during the time we
had together – what our intentions were. When it was my turn, I said I wanted
to learn about the ceremony and, perhaps, make a connection with something
ancient.
Mark
explained that there were four parts to the ritual, one for each compass
direction. Each part would begin with calling The Man of The Fire - “Piedro a
Caliente!” The Man of The Fire would bring shovels full of large, red-hot
rocks into the structure and deposit them in the central pit. We would say, “Ahoo!”
to show respect to the grandmothers the rocks represented. The door would close,
and Mark would spray water on the stones to create thick steam carrying the
scent of eucalyptus, rosemary, mugwart, pericon and/or other warming or
stimulating herbs. He would then
lead us through each part of the journey. As The Eagle, he led us through a
chakra cleansing (spirit). As The Serpent, he asked us to imagine ourselves as
10-year-olds and sing and make noise to bring ourselves back to that time of our
lives, to free ourselves (mind). As The Dolphin, he gave us thick slabs of cool,
silky aloe vera to rub all over ourselves to nourish the skin (body). After Mark
finished guiding us through each part of the journey, we called for The Man of
The Fire to open the doors, “Abre La Puerta!” The doors would open, allowing
some of the steam to escape and cooler air to enter. During one break, we were
served hot tea. (I'm not sure what kind was served but I have since learned that
chamomile, sassafras,
horehound, or milfoil are often used.) After a few minutes, the
cycle would start again.
Mark
asked The Man of The Fire for extra heat for the last section in his role as The
Jaguar. This session did not last as long. The heat was intense and drove us
from “the womb.” We again paid homage to our ancestors as we crossed the
threshold on our hands and knees, “For my relationships!” We emerged to see
a full moon over the Caribbean. We ran to the sea and jumped in the waves. We
were reborn. We were new.
We
wandered back to the spa where we showered, soaked in the
whirlpool and
reflected on the mystical journey we had just taken. We were relaxed. We were
refocused. This was truly a wonderful treatment for body, mind and spirit.
According
to Mark, the Temazcal is often used for couples before their wedding. How
appropriate to be "reborn" together before starting life's journey
with each other! With the comfortable guest rooms,
beautiful grounds, wonderful beach and convenient location, this couples-only
boutique hotel is a lovely place to have a wedding, spend a honeymoon or
celebrate an anniversary!
The
Spa
The Spa at Ceiba Del Mar is
over 8,600 square feet with separate men’s and women’s locker
rooms, each
with showers, steam room, sauna, whirlpool and
plunge pool. There are seven
treatment rooms, each featuring a private shower and adjoining private garden.
The spa also offers a double massage area for couples only. The spa menu
encompasses a variety of facials, nail care, body care and massage (on the beach, in the spa, or in-room). It also includes unique treatments such as
Temazcal, Mayan Balsamic Massage, Franklin Wave Bath, Chromotherapy and
D’Arson Therapy. The Fitness Center offers weights, cardiovascular equipment
and yoga classes. There is also a beauty salon. A juice bar inside the
spa offers refreshments while you're in the spa. Spa selections are available on the resort’s restaurant menus.
The Hotel
The hotel offers 120 guest
rooms and six suites. The rooms are grouped in eight three-story buildings. Each
building houses 18 guest rooms and is topped with a rooftop garden area
overlooking the resort and Caribbean. A whirlpool,
lounge chairs and bar serving
light food and beverages makes this a lovely place to relax. The guest rooms have a
unique design with a curving staircase in the living
area leading to an optional, additional, linked suite and a tub opening onto the
bedroom overlooking
the ocean view from the terrace. Room amenities include data port, CD player, TV
with international cable, VCR, hairdryer, robes, slippers, safe deposit boxes,
iron, ironing board, mini-bar and continental breakfast in room through a butler
box (a server can open the box from the hallway to deposit the food, guests
can open the box from in the room to retrieve the food). There are two pools, an
outdoor whirlpool and a tennis court on the resort. Bicycles, motorbikes,
nature hikes and diving / water sports are available on the property. MAP
(Modified American Plan) includes breakfast of sweet rolls, coffee or tea in
room and full breakfast and dinner.
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unless marked * which are courtesy Ceiba Del Mar Hotel & Spa
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