Celebrate your spirit as we embark on this special yoga journey and intake the richness of Mayan plant medicine. Let us together embrace the heartwarming disciplines of Gratitude, Self-Love, and Service.

What is Ceremonial Cacao?

Ceremonial cacao is a sacred plant medicine that originated from Latin America. It is integrated in Mayan ceremonies that celebrate and give thanks to the natural elements. It contains polyphenols, caffeine, and theobromine, a healing mixture of antioxidants and alkaloids. Ceremonial cacao may inspire you to feel more interconnected with your emotions, especially when paired with another meditative aid. Our ceremonial cacao comes from family farms and Mayan collectives in Guatemala. Soul Lift Cacao, a local distributor of a variety of ceremonial-grade cacao, has direct relationships with the people that prepare and source the ceremonial cacao we will be working with.

Cultural Appropriation of Ceremonial Cacao

I am not a Mayan facilitator, therefore I do not have permission from Mayan guides to facilitate a cacao ceremony. However, I do have permission to guide you through a physical embodiment practice where ceremonial cacao is presented. I personally do not like to introduce cacao gatherings as a “cacao ceremony” since it is unclear if native Mesoamerican cultures historically facilitated spiritual journeys centered around cacao. My hope is for you to feel the soothing benefits of ceremonial cacao, and to perhaps introduce it to your daily rituals.

-Kelly Viernes (Yang to Yin Yoga with Ceremonial Cacao facilitator)

Kelly Viernes completed Soul Lift Cacao’s “10-Week Cacao-Powered Facilitator Course”, where she learned how to safely guide participants through transformational cacao experiences in a respectful and ethical way.

What to Expect

Ceremonial cacao is traditionally consumed with the company of others. We will open up the space by introducing ourselves and sharing what has drawn us to Yang to Yin Yoga with Ceremonial Cacao. There will be a brief introduction of the benefits and contraindications that ceremonial cacao may bring to your practice. We will give gratitude to the native people and Guatemalan workers that have kept cacao traditions alive, and honor them with our first drink. Expect to treat yourself with a grounding pranayama, slow and controlled Hatha movements, and meditative Yin holds combined with mental imagery. We will close the space by checking-in with ourselves and sharing what has come up with the rest of the group, if you feel called to. Ceremonial cacao may be consumed throughout this yang to yin flow.

Included Materials:

Ceremonial Cacao served in wooden cups

Blanket

Eye pillow

What to Bring

Yoga mat

Water

Optional:

A journal and writing material (if you enjoy having this form of introspection)