Cacao Club: Yoga Nidra, Indigenous Philosophy, Conchas & Cacao

Join your community for our first day of "Cacao Club", our new Yoga Nidra and book club series.Bring comfortable clothes, blankets, and a pillow, which will be used for the Yoga Nidra ceremony. Yoga Nidra is a healing modality of stillness that allows your body to fall in deep rest, while your mind deepens awareness of itself, stimulating the mind's eye - the third eye center. Expect sound healing, and a personal journey that allows you to palpate dream-like scenery while we prepare to learn about our first book in the series: Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potawatomi botanist, author, and the director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.After the Yoga Nidra practice, join your community for conchas and cacao. Enjoy this organic, ethically sourced, 99% Peruvian jungle cacao made with oat milk and other spices. We will be using cacao as sacred nourishment to replenish the body with flavonoids and other compounds that influence various neurological processes, improving mood, cognitive function, and even offering neuroprotective benefits:

1. Mood Enhancement and Stress Reduction:

• Anandamide: Cacao contains a compound called anandamide, often referred to as the "bliss molecule," which binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, potentially contributing to feelings of well-being. 
• Theobromine: This stimulant, found in cacao, can elevate mood and improve focus, acting similarly to caffeine but with a longer-lasting and milder effect. 
• Reduced Inflammation: Cacao's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help alleviate stress-related inflammation in the brain, further contributing to mood stabilization. 

2. Cognitive Function:

• Improved Blood Flow: Cacao flavanols can enhance blood flow to the brain, potentially improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain cells, which is crucial for optimal cognitive function. 
• Neurogenesis and Synaptic Plasticity: Studies suggest that cacao flavanols can promote the growth of new brain cells (neurogenesis) and strengthen connections between neurons (synaptic plasticity), both vital for learning and memory. 
• Enhanced Memory and Learning: Some research indicates that cacao flavanols can improve memory recall and learning abilities, particularly in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. 
• Protection Against Cognitive Decline: Cacao's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may play a role in protecting against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. 

3. Neuroprotection:

• Antioxidant Properties: Cacao is rich in antioxidants that can neutralize harmful free radicals, protecting brain cells from oxidative damage and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. 
• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Cacao's anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce inflammation in the brain, which is a key factor in many neurological conditions. 
• Apoptosis Inhibition: Some studies suggest that cacao compounds can inhibit apoptosis (programmed cell death), potentially preserving brain cells and promoting their survival. 

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Chicago, Arts events in Chicago, Theatre events in Chicago.