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2 Dead After Arizona Sweat Lodge Ceremony

19 hospitalized after cleansing ritual goes wrong at new-age retreat

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 9, 2009 10:05 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Two people died and 19 others were taken to hospital after a "sweat lodge" ceremony at a new-age Arizona retreat last night. Some 68 people were packed into a tarpaulin-covered dome for the 2-hour ceremony, which involved pouring water over hot rocks to produce steam in an effort to free the body of toxins. Tests for carbon monoxide were negative and police are investigating whether any criminal action caused the deaths.

Some of the participants—who paid $9,000 for the retreat—are believed to have fasted as part of a "Spiritual Warrior" program run by personal development guru and frequent Oprah guest James Arthur Ray. Sweat domes have proved fatal for elderly people and those with pre-existing medical condititions in the past. "The sweat lodge needs to be respected," Native American author Joseph Bruchac told the AP. "When you imitate someone's tradition and you don't know what you are doing, there's a danger of doing something very wrong."

This photo provided by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office shows a sweatbox structure at Angel Valley resort in Sedona, Ariz.
This photo provided by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office shows a "sweatbox" structure at Angel Valley resort in Sedona, Ariz.   (AP Photo/Yavapai County Sheriff's Office)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
cochiserocks
Oct 11, 2009 12:39 PM CDT
Wow - sorry to hear that Suziecabo - very very unfortunate, sad and unnecessary.
riffran
Oct 11, 2009 7:29 AM CDT
in all honesty...srichard22 ....I hope everything works out for you, and that you get you're brother back so to speak....for what little its' worth...I'll pray for a happy ending....goood luck
riffran
Oct 10, 2009 12:11 PM CDT
Im visiting in Phoenix, and it is ALL over the local channels..one of the big talking points is the "roof"...instead of some kind of breathable top, as the indians that practiced this did...they had a plastic tarp.....true not true???? don't know
US

 
Arizona • Native American • New Age • ceremony • sweat lodge • sweat lodge survivor

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