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We believe culture & spirituality are essential to healing.
Native American traditional healing ceremonies are interwoven with research-based practices throughout our health programs.
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The smell of smoke from the fire and the sound of drumming and songs draw people to the Sweat Lodge as they prepare for the ceremony that provides purification and healing of the mind, body, and soul. Traditional healing practices include:
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As with our ancestors, the Sweat Lodge is a purification ceremony. Preparations are conducted in a sacred manner by cleaning and caring for the grounds, building and tending the fire, and covering the lodge. During the ceremony, hot stones are placed in the center while the leader guides participants in prayer or song. The leader teaches about the ceremony, Native American traditions, and the uses of the hot rocks, heat, sacred herbs, and water. Representing the womb of Mother Earth, this is a sacred place to ask for healing, forgiveness, hope, vision, to give thanks, or anything else participants need during their journey of change in their lives.
As in ancient circles of elders, people sit in a circle, listen deeply, and speak from the heart. The Talking Circle begins with prayer provided by the Traditional Practitioner conducting the ceremony. Participants may smudge or purify with the smoke from sacred herbs. A feather or talking stick is passed around the circle, in a sunwise direction, to each person. Holding the feather serves as an invitation and as encouragement to speak from a place of sincerity and truthfulness. The Talking Circle provides a place for healing and resolving trauma and an opportunity for each person to speak heart-truth without interruption, criticism, or judgment.
NAC integrates medical & behavioral health with Native American healing approaches to provide an environment to heal the mind, body, and spirit. This involves navigating the delicate balance between respecting cultural diversity and incorporating evidence-based methodologies. Traditional healing practices are integrated in all our residential and outpatient addiction treatment programs and services, licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services since 1978.
Our traditions are the foundation of our organization - explore, learn, and utilize resources available for all.
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