HEALTH: How cacao ceremonies can help with health

The EnvisionAir Podcast | Personal Wellness, Self Development and Growth Mindset

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Elissia Roberts, Certified Cacoaista and Head of Yoga at Digme Studios in London, joins us to talk about the transformational power of ceremonial grade cacao and cacao ceremonies on your mental, physical and spiritual health.
Having experienced the amazing benefits of a cacao ceremony myself, under Elissia guidance, I knew I had to invite her on the podcast to discuss everything cacao with the EnvisionAirs!
A long time yogi and practitioner of asana, Elissia has long understood the connection between mind, body and spirit, however, she first experienced a cacao ceremony in 2019 in the Meadows in the Mountains festival, in Bulgaria; and then gradually became more exposed to cacao for spiritual experiences at ecstatic dance events in London where cacao is offered to participants (these events are dry events where no alcohol or drugs are permitted and people are invited to connect with their spiritual selves and express this connection through dancing). She felt such an incredible energy and an ability to connect deeply with herself and understood how powerful cacao was during these experiences. She subsequently travelled to Brazil in 2023 to learn more about cacao ceremonies from local experienced cacao farmers and connect further with the cacao. Upon her return to the UK, she became a certified Cacaoista, certified through cacao expert Liam Brown's Cacao Ceremony Facilitator Training Course.
In this episode, Elissia and I start the episode with a mini cacao ceremony you can use on a daily basis with your cacao, and shares with us some of the amazing benefits of using ceremonial grade cacao on a regular basis, including it being a high source of antioxidants (even higher than blueberries and red wine); it can help detox the liver and the kidneys; it's great for your skin; it's high in magnesium and maganese, which is why people report it to be so relaxing for the nervous system. This plant medicine is also said to stimulate not only the neurotransmitters in the brain (including helping with clarity of mind and focus), but also help with depression and anxiety given the serotonin and dopamine releases it provides when ingested. Cacao can also help stimulate one's heart centre, as it contains the chemical called theobromine, which Elissia says can strengthen and naturally repair heart health, given it's propensity to act as a vasodilator.
Another fascinating discovery Elissia shares with us is the fact that inside the human body, there is a molecule called anadomide, also known as the 'bliss' molecule, which is why we can create a euphoric blissful feeling from within us. Interestingly, the only other plant that also contains tiny molecules of anandomide is ceremonial grade cacao! By drinking the ceremonial grade cacao as a daily practice or in ceremony, Elissia says we can enhance this molecule within us and enjoy the blissful feeling we already have the natural ability to tap into.
This episode was SUCH good vibes and I loved having Elissia on the pod so much! I hope you learn about the beauty cacao offers! Please let me know what you think!
To connect with Elissia and learn more about her one-to-one and group yoga classes and cacao ceremonies in London and the retreats she has planned for the near future, please follow her IG: @elissiarobertsyoga.
Thanks again EnvisionAirs!
Lots of love,
Nicole xxx
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