LEAP - Cacao Ecstatic Dance

This event, taking place on a special date - once in a leap year, is a free form movement meditation, fuelled by an amazing dance playlist and a cup of ceremonial grade Cacao. Both movement and cacao have deep healing effects, allow for a deep release, reset and reconnection with one's own depth. Cacao practitioner Radha from Heart Awakening and the backbone of the Hawkes Bay dance community, Mark Grimstone, get together to provide a truly Moving journey back to yourself.

~WHEN & WHERE? 29th February, 4-6pm at Taruna College, Havelock North

~ HOW TO BOOK? Contribution of $30 per person A prepaid booking is essential as we need to know the number of participants in order to prepare the right amount of the cacao drink. To book, please contact Radha   020 4077 5534 or radha.heartawakening@gmail.com & send your payment to 38-9018-0117320-01

~WHAT IS A CACAO CEREMONY? The tradition of drinking ceremonial cacao originates in the ancient culture of the Mayas in Central America, who called it "ku-ku", "above sacred". It was believed to carry the spirit of Fertility and Abundance. The Goddess of chocolate, Ixcacao, was also known as the "Queen of Love and Pleasure". In a ceremonial circle we will share a cup of bitter delight and allow it to awaken our Heart and soul.

~WHAT IS DANCING HEALING? One of the best things one can do for their health and overall wellbeing is to DANCE. To dance you don't really need to know any special steps or movements, you don't need to follow anyone or to even "have a sense of rhythm". Dance is an impulse that comes from within and is most natural. You can observe how children form a very early age recognise music and feel the urge to move. Allowing the body to move freely and following its inner voice and needs has many healing benefits, among which: - Giving People the Ability to Express Emotions - Stress Relief - Increased physical  and Gross Motor Skills Development - Improved confidence and Self-esteem - Encourages Creativity and Imagination - An increased sense of vitality - An awakening and renewal of one's life energy ... and so much more Join us and explore the freedom to dance like nobody's watching - because nobody will be! This will be a supportive environment of zero judgement in which all of You is allowed, in your unique authenticity of expression. Or just relax and let Cacao move through you!

~WHY IS CACAO A MEDICINAL PLANT? Cacao is an aphrodisiac, mood enhancer, and antioxidant that protects the heart and is densely packed with nutrients - proven to be the most pharmacologically complex food in nature! It can improve your memory, reduce heart disease, shed fat, boost immunity, and create loads of energy. Cacao contains the neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of wellbeing, as well as anandamide, known as the bliss molecule that leaves us feeling blissful and euphoric, moderating pain perception, as well as assisting in regulating appetite and mood. When high quality beans are prepared for ceremony, all the mood enhancing neurochemicals in cacao become particularly active. It increases blood flow and nutrition to the brain, heart and skin, and the whole body is nourished. Sacred Cacao ceremony participants report heightened awareness, focus and intensified sensations. Cacao healing for the body, but also for the soul and spirit as it is heart opening and an amazing meditation aid.

~WHAT MORE IS REQUIRED?~ For your comfort during the session, please wear loose and comfortable clothes. Bring a cushion to sit on for the cacao circle. Bring a water bottle. Drink a lot of water before and after ceremony to avoid dehydration and don't eat up to 3 hours prior to coming.

************************************************ Facilitated by Radha and Mark

Radha was among the first people to bring cacao ceremonies to New Zealand. She encountered the cacao plant in ceremonial context in 2012 while living in its native lands of Central America for several years. It was love at first sight and her relationship with the spirit of this super food grew as she learned how to prepare the rich cacao drink from the tree to the cup. Having participated in various ceremonies facilitated by shamans, healers or friends in Mexico, Guatemala and Peru, Radha started facilitating ceremonies herself in 2014 in Europe. An experienced space holder being a yoga teacher and a retreat facilitator, she loves sharing her passion for community, authenticity and self-knowledge in combination with the cacao spirit.  Radha serves only best quality ceremonial cacao by chocolate shaman Keith Wilson. https://www.heartawakening.org