Meet Cacao Shansho — Neuroscience, Ancestral Wisdom & Sacred Sound Experience

Saturday, 17th Oct, 10am - 1pm

Shala - 82 Brownston Street, Wānaka 9305

Description

Join Dr Corin Storkey of Seleno Health and Elle Smith of Shala for a three-hour journey into ceremonial cacao — first through science and story, then through the sound and experience.

Cacao is more than chocolate. For thousands of years it has been a plant ally of the heart. This evening weaves Corin’s research and Andean teachings with Elle’s guided sound practice, so you leave knowing why cacao works — and having felt it for yourself.

We will share Seleno Health’s new Cacao Shansho together in circle.

Part One — Science, story & preparation (90 mins)
with Dr Corin Storkey, Seleno Health

Corin will open the evening with the living story of cacao: biochemistry meeting ancestral knowledge.

You will explore:

Cacao neuroscience — key molecules, how they act in the body, and why cacao so often leaves us warm, clear, open-hearted and quietly energised
Three cacao pastes — the distinct profiles and properties of Seleno Health’s ceremonial pastes, and how to choose and use each one
History and cosmovision — Montegrande, Chavín, the Chakana, and the three realms
Cacao preparation — the four elements, the tools, and the meaning held in each step of making the drink

This is practical as well as deep: you will leave able to prepare cacao at home with more intention and understanding.

Part Two — Feel it for yourself (60 mins)
with Elle Smith

Cacao works differently for each of us. This is your chance to have an embodied, felt experience of the science you have just heard — through Cacao Shansho.

Elle and Corin will guide a journey to connect with the spirit of cacao, and with yourself, opening the heart to the messages, visions and insights that want to come through.

You can expect:

Arriving in the body — guided relaxation and body awareness to slow down, soften and become present
Intention & intuition — setting a personal intention and exploring your experience through sensation, feeling and intuition
Journeying with cacao — an intuitive exploration of your body, inner landscape and relationship with cacao
Sound & vibration — an immersive gong and sound bath inviting deep relaxation, release and a softening of the mind

The space is held so it can meet the moment. Come as you are. No prior experience with cacao or sound is needed.

Your guides

Dr Corin Storkey (Medicinal Chemistry, University of Melbourne) is co-founder of Seleno Health, CPAT-trained with Mind Medicine Australia, co-supervisor of the University of Otago Bean to Brain cacao programme, and co-retreat leader at thecacaoretreat.com. He specialises in ancestral Peruvian cacao cosmvision and in using cacao to integrate altered-state experiences.

Elle Smith is the founder of Shala, a space for movement, stillness and being. An artist, yoga teacher and sound practitioner, her work centres around embodiment with a deep reverence for transformation and the unseen. Her personal practice of sound journeying began nine years ago, and for the past five she has worked with the gongs to create immersive spaces for deep listening, exploration and inner connection.

When & where
10.00am – 1.00pm
Shala Wanaka
Saturday, 17th Oct, 10am - 1pm

Shala - 82 Brownston Street, Wānaka 9305

Tickets
$45 early bird – $60 (limited to 10 people)

Please bring
A mug for cacao, a water bottle, a journal and pen if you like to write, and something warm and comfortable to sit or lie on (cushion or light blanket). Wear clothes you can breathe and rest in.

Spaces are limited. Register in advance so we can prepare cacao for the circle.

Meet Cacao Shansho — Neuroscience, Ancestral Wisdom & Sacred Sound Experience (Wanaka)

Choose your tickets

Early bird ticket

Standard Pre-sale ticket

Donations

Support the "Bean to Brain" Cacao neuroscience research program with Seleno health and Otago University