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Wellness in Four Parts With so many different tribes sustained by varying vegetation and climates, the Native American culture does not revolve around one centralized medical system. Rather, individual tribes developed plant uses and remedies based on what was available to them. Ken Cohen (kennethcohen.com), educator, health practitioner and author of Honoring the Medicine: The Essential Guide to Native American Healing, has studied the Native American community for 40 years. He recognizes today���s Native American approach to health according to these four elements: 1) Environmental Native Americans believe that a connection to the natural world greatly impacts health, and they aim to steer clear of toxins and pollutants. They participate in sweat lodge and drumming rituals to purify themselves. Cures also sometimes involve ingesting herbs that cause vomiting or elimination, and fasting is sometimes relied upon to purge the body of impurities. 2) Psychological Feelings of self-esteem and selfworth, and a sense of purpose, are vital factors in Native American wellness. Conversely, strife within families or communities can bring ill health. The Native American position is that, ���If you are happy, your cells are happy,��� explains Cohen. They also harbor deep beliefs in the supernatural. ���While Westerners believe that our psyche is shaped by the past, Native Americans say, ���Yes, but what about the call to the future?��� ��� says Cohen. 3) Spiritual Native Americans connect to the intrinsic spirit of all things. According to this thought system, angry spirits cause illness. An abuse of nature, breach of a taboo, disrespectful act or dispersion of negative energy can displease the spirits and wreak illness, onto the perpetrator or even upon someone else. Appealing to the spirits in pursuit of health and healing is central to the culture. 4) Bio-medical Native Americans in the modern world don���t live in teepees and wear buckskins. Likewise, they accept conventional modes of medicine and treatment based on disease, illness, trauma, heredity, hormones and imbalance. ���I���ve never met a Native American who didn���t take their diabetes medicine,��� notes Cohen. 24 DAYSPA | MARCH 2013 A healer at Mii Amo Spa demonstrates sweat lodge practices before clients. Honored Tradition: Sweat Lodge Traditionally, small conical structures were covered with hides, and hot stones were placed in the center, then doused with water to create a steam bath. One of the best-known Native American rituals, spending time in the sweat lodge is meant to not just facilitate healing but also for the purposes of prayer, detoxi���cation, communing and reaching altered states of consciousness.