Inipi ceremony – Late October 2026

The ceremony will be held and poured by Leona Johnson, who has been working within this tradition for around 10 years and pouring lodges for the past 7. The teachings shared come through the mentoring and guidance of Sal Gencarelle and the Helpers Mentoring Society within the Woptika lineage of the Lakota people. The word Inipi means “life within”. It describes a process of entering what is often experienced as the womb of the Earth to pray, cleanse, and release what no longer serves life. Participants emerge clearer, more resourced, and more available to their deeper purpose and potential. In practical terms, the ceremony takes place inside a low willow dome structure covered with blankets. Stones are heated in the fire and brought into the central pit. When the door closes, water is poured onto the stones to create steam. The lodge is elemental, physically powerful, emotionally honest, and spiritually awakening. In this tradition, as with many sweat-lodge ceremonies, people on their moon-time as seen to be already in a powerful ceremony of their own, and so do not enter the sweat lodge. If you are bleeding on the day of the Inipi, you're still very welcome to join on the land, and participate in the nature-connection and teachings, yet won't be able to enter the lodge or participate in the Inipi ceremony itself. Full guidance and orientation will be given on the day so no prior experience is required, only sincerity and respect. More specific details, and directions to the site, will be shared with those attending. Preparation Please prepare in the following ways: • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs for several days beforehand • Arrive well hydrated • Come rested and inwardly open to connection and prayer • Be ready to support the group process where you are able, as this is a shared ceremony space Please Bring • Food to share for after the ceremony • Plates, cutlery • Drinking water • Cotton or other natural fibre clothing for the lodge – a dress or sarong, or shorts • A towel • Warm clothes and layers • Waterproofs or suitable wet-weather clothing Exchange Holding an Inipi requires many elements to come together. As such, we ask are asking for a minimum of £30 to cover the costs – with an optional donation that will go directly to the core team to support their lives and their collective ability to continue holding Inipi ceremonies regularly. Please either pay the "Cover the costs" £30+fees ticket, or save yourself the fees and send a bank transfer (of £30+donation) to the following account, and select the "Paid by bank transfer" free ticket (for each person). A donation of at least £20 is recommended (for a total of £50), for those who are able to contribute in that way. • Name: Stuart Basden • Sort code: 070806 • Account: 00442469 • Reference: Inipi Stu is handling the finances on behalf of Leona. The costs cover: supervision, cost of wood for the fire, smudge supplies, maintenance of materials (tarps, ropes, blankets, buckets), contribution to the reservation, ceremonial items, vehicle fuel for sourcing and transporting everything, contribution to electricity for drying the blankets (unless the weather is warm+dry). The planning and organising is contributed freely by the community, without anyone being paid. Any surplus income will be saved to support growing community and/or future ceremonies. If lack of money is currently an obstacle for you attending, please click to "Contact host" and ask about attending anyway – we actively want people to be able to access these ceremonies.