Last updated April 23, 2025
An indigenous-inspired experience is a holistic practice that treats imbalances as well as prevents disease, a word that stems from dis-ease.
For thousands of years, humans have worked with nature and the spiritual world to live authentically, discover hidden truths and heal. Indigenous-inspired experiences help you to see your shadow as well as your light.
As you connect to all parts of yourself and explore your higher consciousness and uncover more of the world around you, many things may change. Experiences can be highly uncomfortable and challenging at first. But once you step into the world of indigenous-inspired healing and surrender to the process, there is a lot of light, love and beauty waiting for you.
While some people prefer to dip their toes in the water with lighter practices, others prefer to dive right into the most intense experiences. There is no right or wrong, and there is no rush. Learn, explore and decide what feels best for you.
Five Indigenous-Inspired Experiences
Below are five indigenous-inspired experiences that can help you live healthier, be happier, release trauma and discover your deepest truth. Most of all, these experiences will, no doubt, transform your life.
1. Purify and feel reborn with Temazcal (or Temazcalli) ceremony
Sweat lodges have been a part of indigenous-inspired healing for thousands of years. In fact, the Temazcal ceremony is more than 5,000 years old and was a big part of the Aztec healing tradition. Temazcal was used to help with childbirth as well as for meditative and therapeutic purposes.
In a Temazcal ceremony, you enter a sweat lodge made from volcanic stone, cement or wood. This space is called the “Earth’s Womb” and is an igloo-shaped hut. A Shaman places a blanket over you and covers the hut to shut out all light and impressions.
Hot volcanic rocks are then placed in the center and water is poured over the rocks to produce steam. Herbs, typically sage or copal, are added to cleanse and renew. Prayer, smudging, intention, meditation and chanting make the Temazcal ceremony complete.
If you’re curious, Azulik Resort in Tulum, Mexico, offers a Temazcal ceremony. They also offer other healing experiences as part of their wellness programming.
2. Release and align with an indigenous-inspired sacred cacao ceremony
Cacao is a sacred plant used for healing and rebalancing the connection between humans and nature for thousands of years. Cacao stems from the Mayan word “Ka’kau,” which means “heart blood,” and “Chokola’j,” which means “to drink together.” The Mayans believed that cacao was a gift to humans from the Gods. It served to restore the connection and balance to the divine.
The cacao ceremony is a beautiful and more gentle journey, usually performed by a Shaman, where you gather with others in a circle, set intentions, pray, release old energy and bring in newness and love. It’s detoxifying for the body and emotions, opening the heart and holding many nutrients to increase vitality.
In an intimate space, you share your deepest dreams, thoughts, feelings and intentions with others in a circle. Dancing is usually a part of the cacao ceremony, as well as tantric meditation.
For wellness retreats that offer authentic cacao ceremonies, take a look at Palmaïa, The House of AïA in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
3. Unleash your creativity and power with indigenous-inspired womb healing
Womb healing has been practiced for more than 7,000 years and is still new to most of us.
The womb of a woman represents creativity and power and is a sacred space in her body. According to ancient teachings, it stores experiences passed on from mother, grandmother and ancestors.
Many women carry trauma from abortions, past relationships, abuse and more. In womb healing, you work with releasing the trauma stored consciously or unconsciously in the hopes of unleashing your power and creativity.
Womb healing sessions include womb meditations, meditations of the sacral chakra (where the womb is), Yoni steaming, herbal baths, retreats and workshops.
4. Heal and transform with Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca, or “Mother Ayahuasca” has become one of the more well-known indigenous-inspired healing methods. It’s a plant medicinal and psychedelic beverage that brings you into a higher state of consciousness. An Ayahuasca journey opens you up to all things spiritual. And the ritualistic use purportedly heals and purifies the mind, body, heart and soul so that you can discover your true nature and purpose.
Ayahuasca uncovers your darkest shadows and brings everything you have been hiding from to light and transforms your deepest wounds into wisdom and knowledge. Many return to Ayahuasca several times, with each time uncovering a new insight and truth, healing something new within. Both the preparation weeks before and the integration part afterward are essential to get the most of the experience.
An Ayahuasca journey is different for each person. Everyone has their own unique wisdom to receive and path to take. Some barely feel anything while others have a highly intense journey. It’s crucial to work with an experienced and authentic Shaman who can guide and support you properly.
5. Open your heart in a Huachuma ceremony
Huachuma, also called “San Pedro,” is a cactus and psychedelic plant used by ancient tribes as medicine. It has been used in ceremonies for about 4,000 years and is referred to as a “Master Teacher.”
The Huachuma ceremony is all about expanding your heart consciousness and discovering how the spiritual and the physical world work together. Releasing negativity, emotional wounds and transmuting darkness, the indigenous-inspired ceremony is performed to bring people into more love.
With the help of drums, shakers, an indigenous jaw harp, tobacco, smudging, music, dancing and prayers, a Shaman guides you through this ceremony. Huachuma has the power to heal diseases, both mild and severe, and is highly introspective.
It uncovers false beliefs about yourself and introduces the truth. San Pedro is highly toxic if taken incorrectly and should always be ingested in the presence of an experienced Shaman.
Snapshot Summary
Indigenous-inspired healing experiences offer transformative approaches to wellness through five key practices: Temazcal sweat lodges for purification, sacred cacao ceremonies for heart-opening, ancient womb healing for women’s power, Ayahuasca journeys for profound transformation and Huachuma ceremonies for expanded consciousness. These holistic experiences connect participants with nature and spirituality, helping release trauma and uncover personal truths. Though challenging, surrendering to these practices brings healing, authenticity and a deeper understanding of yourself.
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