A sweat lodge is a low profile hut dome-shaped or oblong, made with natural materials. The structure is the lodge, the ceremony performed within the structure may be called a purification ceremony or a sweat. Traditionally the structure is simple, constructed of saplings covered with blankets and sometimes animal skins, it was only used by some of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, notably the Plains Indians, but with the rise of pan-Indianism, numerous nations that did not have the sweat lodge ceremony have adopted it. This has been controversial. In all cases, the sweat is intended as a religious ceremony – it is for prayer and healing, the ceremony is only to be led by elders who know the associated language, songs and safety protocols. Otherwise, the ceremony can be dangerous. Sweat lodges have been imitated by some non-natives in North America and internationally, resulting in responses like the Lakota Declaration of War and similar statements from Indigenous Elders declaring that these imitations are dangerous and disrespectful misappropriations and need to stop.

Native Americans in many regions have sweat lodge ceremonies. For example, Chumash peoples of the central coast of California build sweat lodges in coastal areas in association with habitation sites; the ancient Mesoamerican tribes of Mexico, such as the Aztec and Olmec, practiced a sweat bath ceremony known as temazcal as a religious rite of penance and purification. Traditions associated with sweating vary culturally. Ceremonies include traditional prayers and songs. In some cultures drumming and offerings to the spirit world may be part of the ceremony, or a sweat lodge ceremony may be a part of another, longer ceremony such as a Sun Dance; some common practices and key elements associated with sweat lodges include: Training – Indigenous cultures with sweatlodge traditions require that someone go through intensive training for many years to be allowed to lead a lodge. One of the requirements is that the leader be able to pray and communicate fluently in the indigenous language of that culture, that they understand how to conduct the ceremony safely.

This leadership role is granted by the Elders of the community, not self-designated. This leadership is only entrusted to those who are full members of the community, who live in community, it is never given to outsiders who leave to sell ceremony. Orientation – The door may face a sacred fire; the cardinal directions may have symbolism in the culture, holding the sweating ceremony. The lodge may be oriented within its environment for a specific purpose. Placement and orientation of the lodge within its environment are considered to facilitate the ceremony's connection with the spirit world, as well as practical considerations of usage. Construction – The lodge is built with great care and knowledge, with respect for the environment and for the materials being used. Clothing – In Native American lodges participants wear a simple garment such as shorts or a loose dress. Modesty is important, rather than display. People who are experienced with sweats, attending a ceremony led by a properly trained and authorized traditional Native American ceremonial leader, could experience problems due to underlying health issues.

It is recommended by Lakota spiritual leaders that people only attend lodges with authorized, traditional spiritual leaders. There have been reports of lodge-related deaths resulting from overexposure to heat, smoke inhalation, or improper lodge construction leading to suffocation. If rocks are used, it is important not to use river rocks, or other kinds of rocks with air pockets inside them. Rocks must be dry before heating. Rocks with air pockets or excessive moisture could crack and explode in the fire or when hit by water. Used rocks may absorb humidity or moisture leading to cracks or shattering; the following is a list of reported deaths related to non-traditional "New Age" sweat rituals: Gordon Reynolds, 43 Kirsten Babcock, 34 David Thomas Hawker, 36 Rowen Cooke, 37 Paige Martin, 57 Kirby Brown, 38, of Westtown, NY Lizbeth Neuman, 49, of Prior Lake, MN James Shore, 40, of Milwaukee, WI In October 2009, during a New Age retreat organized by James Arthur Ray, three people died and 21 more became ill while attending an overcrowded and improperly set up sweat lodge containing some 60 people and located near Sedona, Arizona.

Ray was arrested by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office in connection with the deaths on February 3, 2010, bond was set at $5 million. In response to these deaths, Lakota spiritual leader Arvol Looking Horse issued a statement reading in part: Our First Nations People have to earn the right to pour the mini wic'oni upon the inyan oyate in creating Inikag'a – by going on the vision quest for four years and four years Sundance. You are put through a ceremony to be painted – to recognize that you have now earned that right to take care of someone's life through purification, they should be able to understand our sacred language, to be able to understand the messages from the Grandfathers, because they are ancient, they are our spirit ancestors. They teach the values of our culture. What has happened in the news with the make shift sauna called the sweat lodge is not our ceremonial way of life! On November 2, 2009, the Lakota Nation filed a lawsuit against the United States, Arizona State, James Arthur Ray, Angel Valley Retreat Center site owners, to have Ray and

Monte Partido is a partido in the eastern part of Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. The provincial subdivision has a population of about 17,500 inhabitants in an area of 1,847 km2, its capital city is Monte, 110 km from Buenos Aires on the banks of the Salado River; the northwest course of the Salado borders with the Partidos of General Belgrano. Monte lies in a flat rich-soiled agricultural zone. Drainage is insufficient due to the minimal sloping of the land which causes frequent floods in the area. Monte has a temperate climate, with average temperatures of 17 °C; the median temperature of the warmest month is 25 °C and the coldest is 10 °C. Annual precipitation is 1,000 mm. Northeast with Cañuelas West with Roque Pérez Southwest with General Belgrano South with General Paz Abbott San Miguel del Monte Zenón Videla Dorna Laguna de Monte: 7.2 km2 lake Laguna de Las Perdices: 12 km2 lake Other lakes: 16 km2 lake Estancia "El Rosario": Antonio Dorna, a rancher built his ranch in the late 18th century on the banks of the Salado River.

It is open to the public. Municipal Site Federal site

Stony Bottom is an unincorporated community located in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. In the early 19th century, the town was known as Seldom Seen. At some point, this was changed to Driftwood by loggers who would drift logs by on the Greenbrier River. By 1908, it took its present name because of all the rocks present in the area; the town has seasonal residents, as well as full-time residents and a small church named Alexander Memorial Presbyterian Church. On Labor Day of every year, the small town accommodates hundreds of people for the annual Hunter Reunion, where local resident Homer Hunter invites the community to take part in traditional bluegrass music and fellowship; the town is nestled between the Greenbrier River and the Greenbrier River Trail, suitable for biking, horseback riding, more. Their Post Office has been closed