****Important Information****
Please fast at lest 3hrs before Ceremony.
Cacao and sound together are one of the best ways to reach a state of full-body bliss. Combining these methods amplifies their power to open the heart, to expand the mind and to connect to the infinite intelligence of the body.
The cocoa plant has a rich history in Mesoamerica, dating back to 1900 BC when it emerged in the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico with the Olmecs, who were the first to cultivate and discover its unique flavour in the form of a drink mixed with water. Over time, the use of cocoa spread to Mayan populations in 600 AD and the Aztecs in 1400 AD.
The sacred cacao medicine has been used for thousands of years by the Mayans and many other cultures across the American continent. Cacao is considered "the food for the shift," and an indigenous myth tells us that whenever the balance between humans and nature becomes threatened, cacao comes from the rainforest to open people's hearts and return us all to harmony.
The spirit of cocoa is one of the most powerful deities in Mayan cosmology, known as "Ku-Ku," which means "Sacred above the sacred." This tradition, bequeathed to us by our ancestors, is accompanied by shamanic healing chants and is the door to making a trip to our interior and opening our hearts.
The upcoming ceremony, led by Don Santiago and supported by an amazing group of artists, healers, and musicians, will be a spiritual journey into the heart of cacao medicine.
The programme will begin with a copal cleansing, followed by the opening of the ceremony by Don Santiago, serving of cacao, a silent and dark meditation for about 20-30 minutes, and finally, a sound journey and dance.
The effect of the cacao will be boosted by the sacred sounds of ancient healing instruments. During the second part of the event, we will get comfy and cosy for the sound bath, where we’ll bathe in the different sounds of gongs, Himalayan singing bowls, Koshi bells, therapeutic percussion and more. The effect of the cacao is boosted by the sacred sounds of these ancient healing instruments.
Designed to set you free to drift to wherever the sound takes you, the sound bath experience can support you in clearing mental, emotional, and physical blockages and leaving you with a feeling of clarity and deep relaxation.
PRices
Regular Price: £25 (for standard ticket purchases)
Waged: £30 (for individuals with a regular income)
High Income Earner: £40 (for individuals with a higher disposable income)
By offering different price tiers based on various criteria, you provide flexibility for attendees with different financial circumstances. This allows you to cater to a wider audience and accommodate their respective budget levels, ensuring that your event remains accessible and inclusive to all.
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Thank you!
Practitioners
Sound therapist, yoga and meditation teacher, Veronika have been passionate about sound and music since she was a child. Following 12 years of musical training in piano, she discovered and began to use Tibetan singing bowls, gongs and other therapeutic instruments. She studied with various teachers in Nepal and Europe, including gong master Don Conreaux and have been offering sound therapy sessions and sound baths since 2015.
www.instagram.com/veronika_pongracz/
Rafael A Silva. Drummer and Flutes .
Meet Rafael Ayala Silva, widely known as Rafasemilla, a Colombian-born percussionist based in London. With a specialization in Latin American percussion and a strong focus on Afro-Colombian music, he brings a vibrant cultural flavor to the thriving music scene of London.
Rafael's journey to the UK began 26 years ago when he arrived from Colombia. Since then, he has dedicated himself to integrating his rich cultural heritage into the diverse musical tapestry of London. As an artist and educator, he has amassed extensive experience teaching drumming and dance, sharing his passion and knowledge with others.
The Cuban artist La Mendoza is a talented empiric singer that’s influenced by her Cuban heritage, Colombian traditional folk from the Caribbean coast, and by a mix of genres that followed her generation such as pop, R&B, reaggaeton, jazz, reagge.
She will enchant you with her touch of sensual, Cuban jazzy notes, as well as with her contagious energy on stage that will make you be transported to a tropical paradise through her music.
Ceremony Program
Doors Open 6:45pm
7pm Cacao blessing and open prayer ( By Santiago and Dona Betty)
7:40pm Darkness and silence mediations begins
8:00pm Gong and Sound journey
8:30pm light arrives to the room and music ands dancing continues.
9:30pm Closing ceremony.
Get ready to immerse yourself in a truly transformative experience with the Olmec Medicine Retreat led by the renowned medicine man, Don Santiago Ortela. You have the choice to attend each individual event, or dive deep into the teachings and wisdom of the Olmec people by joining us for the entire retreat.