Yoga & Cacao
Yoga & Cacao is the closest I could get to hosting a weekly retreat without actually hosting a retreat.
It's my dream class.
I have designed these 90 minutes in the perfect way to allow you to drop into your heart, enjoy beautiful movement and relax your nervous system after a busy week.
We begin with heart-opening essential oils and your very own cup of cacao upon arrival. This cacao recipe has been tried, tested and perfected every day over the course of almost two years.
Next, you'll enjoy an art therapy exercise centered around our theme of the week. Creativity is a great way to bring us into the now and the collaborative art pieces act as a visual aid to enhance our understanding of the theme and bring Yogic philosophy to life.
It’s time to get comfy for a guided meditation and breathwork. This is a reflective exercise to bring us into the body and ties in with the theme of the week.
We move into an energising and feel-good Yoga flow which will both challenge you, bring you into alignment and give your body the right amount of TLC. After all of that, you'll be ready for a deep Savasana (relaxation) with optional adjustments, cozy blankets, essential oils, and a short meditation to finish.
All About Cacao
Just like the cocoa which our favourite chocolate is made of, cacao comes from the cacao tree. The difference between cocoa and cacao is roasting. The seeds are harvested, dried and fermented. Cocoa beans are roasted while raw cacao beans remain unroasted before they are crushed into nibs, ground into cacao paste and cacao butter. These components are re-combined to create blocks of cacao that are used to make the hot cacao drink that we enjoy in class!
Cacao contains powerful antioxidants, minerals like Magnesium, Copper, Zinc and Iron, Vitamins B1 ,B2, B3, B5, B8, C & E and Oleic acid (heart-healthy fat). Theobromine is the stimulant present in cacao. It dilates the arteries and boosts blood flow leading to better mood, focus and concentration.
It also contains many mood-enhancing chemicals:
Tryptophan
Tyrosine
Anandamide
Phenylethylamine
These enhance blood and oxygen flowing to the brain, stimulate the production of other mood-boosting neurotransmitters and bring about feelings of bliss, euphoria, contentment and joy.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which stimulates the production of the neurotransmitter Serotonin which is vital for helping us feel happy and positive.
Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine, another essential neurotransmitter, that helps us to feel pleasure and motivation.
Anandamide is another neurotransmitter found naturally in cacao. In fact, the only other place anandamide had been identified is the human brain! This produces a feeling of euphoria, reduces stress and anxiety without any negative side effects. It’s also the cause of the euphoric high that runners experience.
Phenylathylamine (PEA) is and adrenal-related compound that contributes to feelings of excitement, alertness, attention, as well as the perception of time slowing down. PEA causes the release of endorphins and mood-enhancing neurochemicals into our brain. The excited feelings are the same as those we experience we fall in love.
This class offers everything I love and its aim is to tend to the emotional and physical body whilst teaching the way of Yoga.
Drop-in class €25