Self-Love with Yoga & Cacao – Guest Post by Inga
Yoga and Cacao – a union that opens both heart and soul. In this special practice, mindfulness, asanas, and the heart-opening qualities of cacao merge into a ritual of self-love. Inga shares in her guest post how cacao helps us to feel more deeply, while yoga supports us in truly arriving within ourselves. We’re delighted that she is sharing her personal Cacao & Yoga Ceremony with us.
Guest Post by Inga in Cacao Blog
June 20, 2020
More Than Chocolate – The Healing Power of Cacao
When we hear the word cacao, no matter the reason, a warm, comforting feeling spreads through most of us. Our inner childhood memories are deeply rooted in the belief that a cup of hot chocolate can soothe any sorrow.
Even as adults, we still reach for sweet chocolate from time to time. But we soon realize that this is no longer a sustainable solution. Our worries want to be seen and heard; they can no longer be calmed by a little piece of chocolate.
As an emotional eater and yoga teacher, I know this feeling all too well. After all the years and the transforming experiences of my asana practice, I now know that no chocolate in the world could ever replace my self-love practice. Through yoga, I have learned to hold myself and to be there for myself. In this article, I want to share how wonderful it can be to combine yoga and cacao.
Cacao & Yoga – I can tell you: this is truly healing, deep stuff!
My Cacao & Yoga Ceremony
Whether I guide a ceremony for myself or in a group, the process always unfolds intuitively.
How Cacao Brings Me Into My Heart
I connect with the spirit of the cacao plant and allow myself to be guided. The smooth, velvety texture in my favorite cup is a pure delight. With every sip, I take in a little more trust. My anticipation and curiosity rise. What will this sacred plant, the mother of all medicine plants, reveal to me today? Cacao opens me up and makes me honest! She shows me my vulnerable sides as well as my deep inner feminine strength.
Candles and healing stones decorate my Yoga & Cacao ritual. Now it’s time for self-care! I begin with activating breaths, raising my arms high with a deep inhale. My hands are interlaced, reaching toward the sky. I savor the uprightness of my posture, and I can feel every cell in my body gratefully recharging. A gentle self-massage from head to toe gets my meridians flowing.
More and more, I arrive within myself. The cacao brings us into our hearts, and I intuitively feel which asana is most needed for me in this moment.
Even though the cacao plant’s nourishing qualities have a very energizing effect, I recommend the practice of Yin Yoga. In these quiet, gentle poses, we access our hidden emotions and open the door to all that usually remains untouched in our busy daily lives.
With the next deep inhale, I stretch my arms and hands up toward the sky and, as I exhale, fold forward toward my extended legs – Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold). With each exhale, I release a little more and arrive deeper within myself.
Forward bends in yoga strengthen our immune system and can even help us to take a loving look at our own past.
“Prevention is better than cure”, said the Greek physician Hippocrates.
This quote from 400 BC is still just as true today. Forward bends mean letting go – these poses gently connect us with our past. With every deep exhale, I sink further into the posture.
It’s not great effort that brings progress, but gentle surrender to the earth beneath us.
The mantra “Let go” supports me in this. Sometimes I also listen to beautiful yoga music – here’s my playlist for you to release and unwind.
I slowly rise again and feel the urge to open upwards once more. As I exhale, I flow into Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose). Once again, gratitude floods my body. Twisting poses are perfect for supporting the process of letting go. They help the body detox by “wringing out” the organs and releasing stored emotions. In Yin Yoga, we stay in each posture for 4–7 minutes. I’ll admit, that can sometimes be challenging. But the active ingredients of cacao positively influence our serotonin levels.
My happiness hormones are activated, and the long-held poses feel as if I’m cuddling with myself.
Yoga & Cacao – A Journey Within
As I feel my body more deeply and relaxation spreads through me, I leave my everyday life behind. I arrive — feeling gratitude and love for my body. Moving dynamically yet gently, I flow into Marjaryasana (Cat Pose) and Bitilasana (Cow Pose). I enjoy the rounding of my spine in Cat and open my chest and heart in Cow.
I truly believe that cacao makes you feel sensual and alive!
Yoga and cacao take me through a wave of emotions, sending me on a journey deep within myself. Through this sacred practice, I learn to embrace and enjoy the colorful life around me. I internalize that there is no relaxation without tension, no exhale without inhale.
In Balasana (Child’s Pose), I curl up into myself once more — a small, comforting package of me. I feel the earth beneath me and surrender fully to its support.
Be gentle with yourself!
With love, Inga
