SACRED CACAO

Brazil, my first home, is a country known for its cultural roots and its syncretism, besides Samba and Futebol. Brasil is also known as one of the Cacao Belts in South and Central America. No wonder Cacao and its Sacredness would have a strong pull on me. Rituals and Spirituality were a constant in my home. My father practiced  Macumba and my mom was seeking "truth" through every and any religion she could get the hold of - or would get the hold of her. In the midst of all of that, I found Johrei, a healing technique that uses channeled energy through the hands, and my love affair with Energy work was born. Later on, as I attended the Florida School of Massage, I added Reiki to my Shamanic toolbox. 

I first experienced Cacao and its physical and emotional healing powers, when my dear friend, student, and teacher, Liz Getman returned from Guatemala with some Cacao to my door and we officiated the very first Cacao Ceremony, connecting Metta meditation and Reiki. We were a group of 5 friends and we ALL had an experience of rebirth.

Since then, I have been blessed to officiate many wonderful and magical Sacred Cacao ceremonies and I also became one of the first trained Cacaoga Guides. Cacaoga is whimsical practice that unifies Cacao and Yoga and it was designed and created by the very same Liz Getman. 

I have experimented with and experienced many Cacao ceremonies along my travels through Central America, and I rose in love with Cacao from Costa Rica, cultivated by The BriBri Tribe. 

​

But what is Cacao?

Native to tropical regions of the world, cacao is chocolate before the processing—an unsugared, unadulterated form of one of the world’s favorite treats. Cacao’s scientific name, “Theobroma cacao,” translates to the “Food of the Gods,” and for good reason. Known as a superfood, cacao is high in magnesium, calcium, antioxidants, and iron and is an incredible mood booster! One of our favorite cacao properties is anandamide, a neurotransmitter known as the bliss molecule. For those with an interest or background in yoga and/or Hindu philosophy, you may know that the word “ananda” means bliss and refers to a higher state of being. Cacao facilitates our goal of achieving that blissful state and deepens our connection to our highest selves.

According to indigenous myth, when the balance between humankind and nature is threatened, cacao comes from the rainforest to open our hearts and return us to harmony. Already have a connection to chocolate? We invite you to experience another dimension of that connection—a deeply spiritual or shamanic one. Sacred cacao partners with us, facilitating the journey inward and the discovery of our truest, most love-filled selves.

​