THIS EVENT HAS NOW PASSED.

The evening before the full moon and lunar eclipse is a powerful time connect to the nourishing, loving spirit of cacao surrounded by community and elevated by the healing nature of Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.

Both the sacred cacao medicine and the practice of Yoga are paths to the heart, especially when done together in community!

Radha from Heart Awakening and Simone from Yoga Spirit bring together cacao and yoga to map a journey into the sweetness and warmth of the awakened heart. 

Cacao ceremony

In a ceremonial circle we will share a cup of this magical cacao plant and and allow it to awaken our heart and soul.

Cacao is an amazing plant medicine – a powerful aphrodisiac, mood enhancer, and an antioxidant that protects the heart. It is densely packed with nutrients and proven to be the most pharmacologically complex food in nature.

It can improve your memory, reduce heart disease, shed fat, boost immunity, increase blood flow and nutrition to the brain, heart and skin – the whole body is nourished.

Cacao contains the neurotransmitters and chemicals responsible for wellbeing, as well as anandamide, known as the bliss molecule that leaves us feeling euphoric, moderating pain perception, as well as assisting in regulating appetite and mood.

When high quality cacao beans are prepared for ceremony as they will be in this offering, all the mood enhancing nero-chemicals in cacao become particularly active.

Sacred cacao ceremony participants often report heightened awareness, focus and intensified sensations.

Cacao is not only healing for the body, but also for the soul and spirit as it is heart opening and an amazing meditation aid. 

The cacao that will be served is first quality ceremonial grade and comes from its native land, Guatemala. 

Radha works with Shaman Keith Wilson’s cacao, carefully and ethically sourced premium beans that are made into paste around the magical lake Atitlan. Cacao Shaman Keith was the pioneer of the revival of Cacao as a sacred ceremonial drink.

The tradition of drinking ceremonial cacao originates in the ancient culture of the Mayas in Central America. It was believed to carry the spirit of fertility and abundance. The goddess of chocolate, Ixcacao, was also known as the ‘queen of love and pleasure’, connected with the energy of the heart. Later cacao was served in ceremonial context in nowadays Mexico, in the Azteca and Olmec cultures.

Heart yoga

With the spirit of the cacao in your being, further clear the energy pathways to the heart with threaupetic Yin Yoga and deep, relaxing Yoga Nidra.

Suitable for all ages and stages, this gentle practie will target the connective tissue of the body wth long, slow stretches. Specifically removing any deeply lodged tension and blockages in the meridians to the heart organ – allowing the life force to run unobstructed and the true luminosity and light of the heart to shine forth.

This is a peaceful, prop-supported practice, with plenty of time to slow down, tune in and let go of what no longer serves you – just like our natural enviornment transitions to during the arrival of the colder months.

We will finish in the healing vibration of Savasana with a short, yet powerful Yoga Nidra practice that will take you even further into a serene, blissful state where you can meditate on the infinite space of the heart and pure oneness.

Yoga Nidra, promotes deep rest and wellbeing. Also known as Yogic Sleep, 20 minutes is said to equate to two hours of sleep. It can help you remain calm, need less sleep and sharpen your mind and creativity long after practicing it.

Rather than rushing off, and shutting the doorway that you have opened, we will leave a short moment following this practice to free write. This helps seal in any subtle insights that might otherwise slip away like morning dreams. Please bring your journal or something to write in if you would like to do this.

Both Simone and Radha will integrate music and ancient philosophy/poetry into the experience to guide you on this journey. For they too are the language of the heart.

Booking

Booking in advance is essential to ensure pre-preparation of the cacao drink and yoga set up.

Please register using the form below. Read the terms and conditions here and tick the declaration box in the registration form to fast track entry on the day.

Please make your pre-payment of $30pp to Yoga Spirit: 38-9019-0371435-01. Use your full name as the reference.

Wear comfortable clothing. Please BYO an extra blanket and cushion for your comfort during the experience. All other equipment is provided.

Drink plenty of water before and after ceremony to avoid dehydration and avoid eating at least two hours prior.

About your facilitators

Radha:

Radha from Heart Awakening is an experienced 500h CYT yoga and meditation teacher and a ceremonial cacao practitioner.

She was among the first people to bring cacao ceremonies to New Zealand. Radha encountered the cacao plant in ceremonial context in 2012 while living in its native lands of Central America for several years.

It was love at first sight and her relationship with the spirit of this super food grew as she learned how to prepare the rich cacao drink from the tree to the cup.

Having participated in various ceremonies facilitated by Shamans, healers or friends in Mexico, Guatemala and Peru, Radha started facilitating ceremonies herself in 2014 in Europe.

An experienced space holder being a yoga teacher and a retreat facilitator, she loves sharing her passion for community, authenticity and self-knowledge in combination with the cacao spirit.

Radha serves only best quality ceremonial cacao by chocolate shaman Keith Wilson.

For more or to get in contact with Radha: www.heartawakening.org

Simone:

Simone from Yoga Spirit is a 500 hour yoga and meditation teacher offering private one-to-one and group sessions, and open yoga classes and wellness workshops and experiences to the community of Whanganui.

She is advanced level two trained in Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga and Meridians, Mindfulness, Vinyasa Krama, Anatomy and Biomechanics, Vedic Philosophy, Yoga Sutras, Pranayama, Mantra, Meditation, Ayurveda, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Kids Yoga Therapy.

Simone’s teachings are informed by modern movement and biomechanics practices, as well as the wisdom originating from the great ancient sages of the East. Particularly Vedic philosophy and Ayurveda, natural scientific systems for living a more enriched, joyful, loving existence.

Believing the greatest work we can do is the work on ourselves, it’s her teaching intention to offer a safe and welcoming space that awakens you to the true light and wholeness within. So you can expand and grow, so you ride the waves of life more smoothly, and so you can be a force of good in the world.

More about Simone here: www.simonegrant.co.nz/about