You have probably heard of ceremonical cacao. Maybe you have tried it and know all about it’s properties and uses. You may also have no idea and be really curious about this ritual that often sits alongside yoga and meditation practices.
If that is you then you are in the right place because I’ve sat down with my friend Sam, from Bowers Boost, who works with cacao as well as it being a large part of her own life and asked all the questions so that you don’t have to.
This blog is dedicated to Keith Wilson, the founder of Keith’s Cacao, the world’s beloved Chocolate Shaman, who peacefully drew his last breath on 14th January 2024
Ceremonial cacao is a large part of your offering at Bowers Boost and may be something people have heard of but are unsure what it is. So let’s start with the basics Sam, what is ceremonial cacao?
Ceremonial Cacao is a powerful superfood that gives you a boost of energy without the crash of many energy stimulating drinks, including coffee. It contains a chemical compound called theobromine, which is a naturally occurring stimulant, that creates greater mental focus and creativity.
Ceremonial Cacao is a powerful superfood that gives you a boost of energy without the crash of many energy stimulating drinks, including coffee. It contains a chemical compound called theobromine, which is a naturally occurring stimulant,that creates greater mental focus and creativity.
Theobromine is a cardiovascular stimulant not a central nervous system stimulant like caffeine. Caffeine hits the body hard and fast and then typically there’s a crash. In contrast, theobromine’s stimulant effects are milder and longer-lasting, providing more relaxed energy without the spike and crash.
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in muscle function, the nervous system and energy production. It also helps maintain blood sugar and blood pressure and Ceremonial Cacao is one of the highest magnesium food sources in the world!
If that wasn’t enough to convince you to give it a try Cacao also naturally produces serotonin, dopamine, and anandamide – the bliss molecules that make us feel high. It increases the blood flow to the brain, creating more mental agility, awareness and focus, and opens our hearts so we feel more loving and peaceful.
I know that you work with a specific supplier, Keith’s Cacao, what drew you to work with them?
Keith makes sure his cacao is prepared in the traditional way, to assure full potency, clean product, and the best flavor. I have been to Guatemala a number of times and most recently spent time in the cacao forest and with Keith’s team, I’ve seen and felt for myself the love each bean is infused with and for me the energetic vibration of Keith’s cacao surpasses any other I’ve had (and I’ve tried many)
Kaqchikel Mayan women from 20+ local families earn an independent income, while working at home, at their own pace, preparing the cacao beans. There are few employment opportunities for women in the community and as Keith’s Cacao grows more jobs will be created for many more local, indigenous women, providing them with good pay and flexible hours.
Why should cacao and cacao ceremonies be something we are exploring in relation to our health?
I believe that preparing and drinking cacao intentionally, not only supports our physical health but it also offers us a moment to pause and connect with ourselves whether that be in ceremony or drinking at home – a wonderful respite from the fast pace of the world around us.
If that isn’t enough to convince you here’s a few of the benefits I share with people interested in sharing cacao with me for the first time.
- Ceremonial cacao increases the blood flow to the brain creates more mental agility, awareness and focus, and opens our hearts so we feel more loving and peaceful.
- It increases dopamine helping to soothe symptoms of PMS, depression, and fatigue.
- Ceremonial cacao helps to stimulate the liver to help detoxify the body
- Ceremonial Cacao helps lower high blood pressure
Cacao can be used as part of a yoga, grounding or meditation practice. What do you feel cacao can bring to these practices?
From my own experiences a feeling of loving presence and focus, increased energy and body awareness and a sense of inner peace.
Aside from within a practice how do you use cacao to support your wellbeing in your day to day life?
Keith’s Cacao has gently and patiently helped me remember who I came here to be, not be afraid to love and be vulnerable and know there is strength in that vulnerability. Each day as I prepare my cacao I acknowledge and honour Keith and his team, the Maya families of Guatemala, and Mother Earth for caring and protecting the cacao forest.
I then ask for guidance and support in my daily prayers & meditation as I sit with my cacao.
As someone who aims to help people use yoga and cacao to look after themselves, what is one thing that you would suggest to people to get started with this?
There is no right or wrong way to move, do what feels right for your body. A little goes a long way, treat each new day as if you were a beginner, listen to your body and her needs. Honour those needs, this is the highest form of yoga.
When working in the wellness sector it can be assumed that as founders we have everything sorted, when it can often be the total opposite. What do you do to look after yourself or what would you like to do more of?
For my own well-being it’s vital that I pay close attention to my mental health. Waking is a key moment for me when the voices in my head can be brutal with unkind thoughts towards myself & others & I must give myself the time and space to reframe these thoughts. Every morning begins with breath work before I even get out of bed then a walk in the nature reserve I’m lucky enough to have behind my house.
All my offerings are the tools I use daily. Breath work, Keith’s Cacao, movement, sound healing and meditation. As my own spirituality & well-being toolkit evolves so do my offerings.
I definitely want to incorporate more walking into my life this year.
What does the future hold for BowersBoost?
I am passionate about supporting & guiding others to trust their own innate wisdom, we are stronger when we stand together in love and I have lots of exciting opportunities and collaborations coming up in 2024 and beyond. Watch this space.
Say YES to more things that align with my values and excite me, feeling the fear and going for it !
Sam Bowers is a kundalini yoga teacher, sound healing practitoner and meditation teacher who is passionate about sharing the emotional growth, healing, confidence and anxiety management these practices have given her with others.
Sam also works with cacao and in particular with Keiths Cacao. If you’re interested in trying this then please do use the link below for 20% off
Find out more about Sam and her offerings
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