Instead of resolutions and to-do lists, a group of Columbus residents began the new year by sitting on yoga mats, sipping ceremonial cacao and turning inward. The New Year’s Day gathering at Redwood Business and Wellness Center introduced participants to a cacao ceremony, a reflective practice combining mindful movement, journaling and intention-setting.

Shoes were left at the door as participants entered the space, collecting yoga mats, blankets and bolsters before heading into the main studio. The glazed brick floor was cool beneath bare feet, but layers of fabric softened the room, creating a grounded, relaxed atmosphere as everyone settled onto the floor.

Once the group had gathered, yoga instructor Josephine Agrawal led participants into an adjoining conference room to begin the ceremony with an introduction to cacao.

Often mistaken for cocoa, cacao is the pure, minimally processed form of chocolate. Prepared as a warm beverage, it contains theobromine – a gentle stimulant that increases blood flow and energy without the jittery effects commonly associated with coffee.

Agrawal, a registered yoga teacher who moved to Columbus last February for her husband’s pilot training, shared that she first discovered cacao while trying to quit coffee. “It’s very stable energy,” she explained. “It’s not about rushing through your day; it’s about pausing, tuning in, maybe journaling a little. It’s an opportunity to slow down.”

Participants were offered three varieties of high-quality Ora cacao: maple-sweetened, unsweetened, and one infused with medicinal mushrooms. Agrawal explained that the company works with regenerative farmers and ethically sourced beans. “It’s all about connecting to something nourishing,” she said. “Cacao helps open your body, your mind, and your heart.”

After preparing their cups, attendees settled back onto the mats as the warmth of the beverage spread through their bodies. Agrawal guided them to begin journaling, reflecting on the past year and considering what they were grateful for. The practice was framed around sankalpa, an ancient yoga concept meaning intention or vow. Unlike New Year’s resolutions, sankalpa statements are phrased as truths rather than aspirations. “Instead of saying, ‘I will be compassionate,’ you say, ‘I am compassionate,’” Agrawal explained. “It’s a small shift in language, but it changes the way your brain and your heart respond.”

Tori Graves, a first-time participant, said the exercise helped her quiet her mind. “During the meditation, when we were guided to let our intuition bring to mind what our intention for the year should be, it came easily to me,” she recalled. “What came up for me was not something that I had really thought about focusing on this year. But it was so clear that that’s what I needed.” She described the cacao as “bitter but rich and creamy” and noted that it helped her release lingering stress and enter a grounded, reflective state.

The ceremony continued with meditation, gentle yoga and mindful movement. Agrawal emphasized that the cacao and the physical practices work in tandem: the mild stimulant and vasodilator effects of cacao increase blood flow and energy, helping participants connect more deeply with their bodies. Journaling, yoga and meditation provided three pathways to engage – through writing, movement and stillness – allowing each participant to find the method that resonated most with them.

For Agrawal, creating this space is deeply personal. “I love making the container for people to get to know themselves more deeply,” she said. “I know what it’s done for me, and I want to share that with others, so they’re not chasing their tails and feeling like they’re not enough. This practice gives you a chance to slow down and tune into what you really need rather than what the world says you should do.”

While cacao ceremonies have roots in ancient cultures, Agrawal framed this one for a modern audience. “We’re not trying to replicate a cultural ritual exactly,” she said. “We’re using the ceremonial aspects to connect with ourselves.”

She also hopes experiences like this can enrich the Columbus community. “This is a practice most people here haven’t experienced,” she said. “It opens minds and allows people to try something new without pressure. Yoga and cacao are not religious; they’re about connecting with yourself, which can complement whatever spiritual practice you already have.”

Tori Graves left the session feeling “calm and peaceful,” grateful not only for the cacao and movement but also for the sense of community. “It made me excited that there’s so many people in this area that are interested in coming together for this kind of thing,” she said. “I believe spaces like this will bring so much healing and deeper connection to our communities.”

Participants left with a sense of clarity and reflection, carrying both the warmth of the cacao and the insights of their journaling into the new year. Agrawal hopes to offer similar ceremonies regularly, perhaps following the lunar cycle, giving people a structured way to set intentions and connect with themselves. “This time of year is magical,” she said. “It’s quiet, it’s winter, and it’s perfect for planting seeds for the year ahead. My hope is that each person leaves feeling more connected to themselves and more aligned with where they want to go in 2026.”