THE YOGA RANGER
  • Welc(OM)e
    • About
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Support
  • YR Self Care Studio
    • Join YR Membership
    • YR Member Login
  • Workshops & Events
    • Wintering At Home Retreat
    • New Moon Yoga
    • Cacao Circle
  • Courses & Trainings
    • Elemental Yoga
    • Lunar Cycle Yoga
    • Chakra Balancing Yoga
    • The 5 Yamas
    • Pranayama for Life Course
    • Building Your Meditation Practice
  • FREE Yoga & Meditation
  • Welc(OM)e
    • About
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Support
  • YR Self Care Studio
    • Join YR Membership
    • YR Member Login
  • Workshops & Events
    • Wintering At Home Retreat
    • New Moon Yoga
    • Cacao Circle
  • Courses & Trainings
    • Elemental Yoga
    • Lunar Cycle Yoga
    • Chakra Balancing Yoga
    • The 5 Yamas
    • Pranayama for Life Course
    • Building Your Meditation Practice
  • FREE Yoga & Meditation





Cacao Circle LIVE Online

Join me as we celebrate the Solar Cycle or Wheel of the Year -
​coming together to celebrate, connect, share, and deepen our connection to Mother Earth and each other...


March 26, 2023 (Ostara)
April 30, 2023 (Beltaine)
​June 18, 2023 (Litha/Summer Solstice)

​

All ceremonies held via Zoom @ 10am Central Time (Chicago US) - approx. 65 mins
(replay link available for registered participants)

LIVE Cacao Circle

Connect to the beautiful heart opening experience and shared community of cacao circle from the comfort of your own home.  Join me for meditation, breath work, poetry, sound healing/live music, dancing, journaling, community sharing, AND MORE.  
Picture
Join me for circle, pay what you can...
​You will receive an email link with details for the circle 24-48 hours in advance (or upon payment) (does not include cacao - you can use your own or use another drink).  Replay link is available for registered participants.  (Please check Spam folder and add theyogaranger@outlook.com to your Safe list)
* Cacao Circles are included in YR Self Care Studio membership.  Interested in joining us?  Click below for more information!​​
YR Studio
LIVE Cacao Ceremony Single Pass
Sharing Options


How can cacao benefit you?
Physically
With 300-1200 individual constituents, cacao is one of the most complex plant substances on earth. Cacao is a superfood, packed with beneficial minerals - such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium.  These minerals support heart health, calm and soothe the nervous system, and support healthy immunity and overall physical wellness.  Cacao also contains theobromine which can lower blood pressure, dilate the coronary arteries, boost brain function, reduce inflammation and increase overall oxygenation throughout the body.

Mentally/Emotionally
Norepinephrine - Helps with energy, attention, and anxiety.
Serotonin - Stabilizes our mood, promotes feelings of wellbeing and satisfaction, and creates resistance to damaging stressors. 
Dopamine - Gives feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. 
Anandamine - Sometimes called the "bliss molecule" it moderates pain, and is associated with the "runners high" effect. 
Phenylethylamine (PEA) - Helps with attention, focus, alertness and improves mood.  


History of Cacao
Cacao is native to the Amazon basin and thought to have been domesticated by the Olmecs (Mexico). More than 4,000 years ago, it was used by the Olmecs, Mayan, and Zapotecs in ritual ceremonies including birth, death, seasons, community celebration.  
​
It is traditionally believed to be a sacred food for the body, mind, spirit and the heart.  During a ceremony, many people feel a heightened sense of focus, energy, opening in the heart and connection to their inner self and the community as a whole.


What is a cacao circle?
Cacao circle is a beautiful way to connect to ourselves, Mother Earth, and our community through ritual and shared experience.  Cacao circle is a safe, welcoming, nonjudgmental space where we can connect to our hearts, heal together, support each other with our energy, and share connection with others.  We come together via Zoom, our cacao prepared (see below for recipes and more), meditate, journal, dance, share, connect and explore.  This is a beautiful, sacred space to explore your inner landscape with support and love.  Cacao Circle is 75-90 minutes in length.

What is the Solar Cycle or Wheel of the Year and why do we celebrate it?
The solar cycle or Wheel of the Year is the traditional Celtic seasonal celebration points in a calendar year.  These are often points where two seasons meet and where we feel the greatest uncertainty as we leave one season and begin another.  These transition points are ones I have celebrated for the last 5 years and have found resonate with the natural organic cycles of our bodies and nature.  Each of the cacao circle dates listed above are markers for the Wheel of the Year.

Join me for circle, pay what you can...
​You will receive an email link with details for the circle 24-48 hours in advance.  
(Please check Spam folder and add theyogaranger@outlook.com to your Safe list)
* Cacao Circles are included in YR Self Care Studio membership.  Interested in joining us?  Click below for more information!​
YR Studio
LIVE Cacao Ceremony Single Pass
Sharing Options


How to Make Ceremonial Cacao
For one person - Heat water or nut milk (almond, cashew, hazelnut, oat, or coconut) to 170 degrees.  Try not to boil the water or nut milk (use a temperature gauge or if you are using a hot water kettle, boil then leave for 3-5 minutes to allow it to come down in temperature or add some cold water to reduce heat).    
​

Select your cacao dosage with intention.  Each person responds differently to cacao so it is often better to start off with a smaller amount and experiment from there.  
Everyday dose            3-7 discs (5-15 grams)       1/2 - 1 cup water or nut milk
Ceremonial dose        8-16 discs (10-35 grams)      1/2 - 1 cup water or nut milk

Add spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, pepper, cardamom, and/or sweeteners such as monk fruit, honey, sucanat, maple syrup to your liking and needs.

You can also place discs into chai tea or another  tea using 1-4 discs to dilute (I do this often as my body responds quite strongly to cacao).  Please always follow your heart and body when choosing your dosage each time.


To make it super creamy, you can use a frother, blender or hand blender to blend until light and frothy.  Pour into a cup - something special with meaning and keep your eyes open for mugs or cups that are ceremonial only to deepen your connection to the cacao.

And now...set your intention before taking your first sip.  I often allow my senses to explore the cacao before I drink - connecting to my sense of smell, touch and sight before my first sip.  Bringing the cup to your lips, breathe gratitude for this beautiful cup of cacao; breathe gratitude to the earth for providing this nutritious and delicious medicine for the spirit; and set your intention (this can be anything - examples: Let me be filled with Peace and Understanding.  Allow me to connect to myself on a deeper level to heal and restore.  Open my heart and let it be filled with compassion and acceptance.)
Picture

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.