PHOENIX -- You don't have to travel to Sedona to experience a sweat lodge. You'll find many different types and sizes right here in the Valley.
"I'm a firm believer," said
Dr. Dave Arneson, Medical Director of The Source Naturopathic Medical Clinic.
Over the past two decades, Arneson has used sweat lodges to detox hundreds of his patients addicted to drugs or alcohol.
The ceremonies began as part of a Native American curing ceremony.
"It is a safe and secure place where individuals can come and they can offer words to the creator as if someone would go to a church and sit on the front pew," American Indian Movement spokesperson, Vernon Foster explained.
He says many modern uses are not safe, and do not follow customary practices.
"New age leaders who usurp Native American traditions and ceremonies are extremely dangerous," Foster said.
He encouraged those who want to participate in the practice to seek proper guidance.
"I would recommend that everybody consult a Native American traditional leader. They are out there. Nobody is seeking them," Foster said.
Arneson says as many as two dozen sweat lodges exist in backyards across the Valley.
"They're pretty common," Arneson said. "There's sweat lodges in Mesa, sweat lodges on all the reservations, probably six or seven in Phoenix."
"It's about purification," added Arneson. "It's about introspection. To come back in and do some healing, whether it's on the physical, emotional or spiritual level."
Arneson says it appears from his perspective that the Sedona sweat lodge went awry on several levels.
He says attendees may have suffered from too much heat as well as a lack of drinking water.
Charging to attend the sweat lodge in the first place, Arneson says, is considered sacrilege.
"To charge someone for these ceremonies is the worst thing in the world as far as Native Americans are concerned," said Arneson.
Find out more if you're interested in participating in a sweat lodge.
