El Temzacal, Transforming Ancestral Medicine

The temazcal is an ancestral gift that I am privileged to share with the world. This experience is a pause in your life, a moment where you can find yourself in your own universe, in your inner home. Through the warmth of volcanic stones, heated by fire, the temazcal offers you the opportunity to cleanse your mind, emotions and body. This space, known as Temazcal, is intimately related to the deity Tlazolteotl, also called ‘the eater of filth’, symbol of purification and transformation.

The temazcal is built following a specific mathematical order, using natural and medicinal materials such as bamboo, willows or other flexible fibres. Every part of the process, from the number of sticks used to the precise placement of the fire in front of the structure, was designed by our ancestors with profound wisdom.

Covered only by blankets and with the volcanic stones generating intense heat, the temazcal transports you to an altered state of consciousness. This deep heat accesses the left side of the brain, where personal agreements and programming are stored. In this space, you can release the soul, drain pain and reprogram your being with new intentions.

The temazcal is also a place of prayer and community work, where we learn more about ourselves and honour the ancestral legacy passed down through the centuries. To lead temazcals, it is essential to have the blessing of a grandparent or ancestor to grant you permission to carry out this sacred tradition. My grandfather, John Frost, after years of walking beside him, gave me two key teachings: do the temazcal with the heart and always let the spirit guide you.

Each temazcal is a ceremony that honours life and leaves an indelible mark on those who experience it. A true ancestral gift that lives on thanks to those who preserve its wisdom.

Paloma Coronado.