New York's Native Spa Experience

By Bernard Burt

Flames leap from the rocks heating for the sweat lodge experience at Turning Stone, an upstate New York resort owned by the Oneida Nation. Dressed in tribal regalia, a young warrior named Kakwiranoron greets me. We strip to bare minimum, preparing to cleanse body and soul.

Set in a grove of trees, the traditional Native American sweat lodge recalls ancient healing rituals. Romans sweated in thermae; Finnish families gather in wooden saunas; Russian’s beat each other with tree branches in the banya; the Turkish hammam experience is mild and cleansing; Mexican temazcal rituals superheat an adobe dome.

Turning Stone’s sweat lodge is interactive, awakening the senses in an earthy structure made of buffalo hides and tree branches. Kakwiranoron drums and chants, and invites me to enter. Slipping onto a wooden platform around a fire pit, my young guide directs me to clear my mind and let the heat open thoughts of the past and future.

Intense heat washes over my body, releasing toxins. Sweet smoke from grass and sage fills the air, summoning visions. The lodge glows organically, connecting us to mother nature. For several hours we talk about life, hopes, dreams. And we sweat. I admire Kakwiranoron’s body art; he responds with an Oneida blessing: “Asehsi, ” meaning you will reawaken.

Blazing a new trail amid the region’s historic spas, Skan¡ Spa, the spa at Turning Stone, blends tradition and technology. Skan¡ means “peace” in the Oneida language. Each of the spa treatment rooms reflects this theme through hand woven sculptures, called dreamcatchers.

Secluded within the 5-star Lodge at Turning Stone, Skan¡ has all the features of a destination spa, plus lots of options for sports, dining, and entertainment. Spa guests have direct access to the indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and movement studio. For gourmet dining at the Lodge, reserve a table with garden view at Wildflowers, or try the spa caf©. Three championship golf courses adjoin the Lodge, and weatherproof practice links are on property. Tennis courts have been added, both indoor and open-air. And the action in the casino is non-stop.

A two-night stay starts at $787 per person, double occupancy in a Lodge suite. Included are meal and spa allowances, airport or train transfers, and taxes, worth $600. This value-added package gets you deluxe lodging for about $90 per night, access to all resort For more information call (800) 771-7711 or visit www.skanaspa.com or www.thelodge.travel