Fran's Shala

Fran's Shala Shala/Śālā {Sanskrit} > a sacred home
◇Gansbaai Studio: massage, fascia, yoga+pilates
◇Global Retreats: S'Africa, Bali, India
◇Ceremony:

23/09/2026

"Cacao is a divine, celestial drink…the sweat of the stars…the vital seed, divine nectar…the drink of the gods and universal medicine.” – Geronimo Piperni

Join Shala ~ Holistic Sanctuary for Wellness, Conservation + Retreats founder of Ceremonial Cacao | Sacred Medicine | Education as she demonstrates the bean to cup process of "Ka-Kaw" - the traditional raw medicinal chocolate drink of the Maya Civilisation.

What to Expect at this year's Stanford in Bloom Ceremonial Cacao Workshop:

1. Tree-to-Cup Education: Learn the process of getting cacao from the fruit pod, ethical sourcing of ceremonial-grade cacao from Guatemala, and the history of this ancient Mesoamerican plant medicine.

2. Practical Preparation Demonstration: Watch Fran demonstrate different preparation methods for an everyday superfood drink. You will explore different recipes and flavor infusions, and experience the different forms of cacao such as the dried beans, nibs, husks, paste, butter and powder.

3. Physical & Metaphysical Insights: Discover the nutritional superfood benefits of cacao alongside how it supports emotional, physical, and energetic well-being as a "heart medicine".

Research now shows that this superfood (which is traditionally known as the plant medicine of the heart) is a great source for physical health; but it goes far beyond just the physiological benefits.

Limited spaces available ~ booking is essential ~

🗓 Sunday 27 September
📍 Stanford Klein River Cheese demo kitchen
🎟 Tickets available via Webtickets

Inquiries? Email [email protected]


13/09/2026

Details on the website ~ link in bio ~

13/09/2026

~ CACAO + KIRTAN ~

Join Cacao Ceremonialists, Bhakti Yogini’s, and Sound Weavers CHARELDI, founder of chareldi_wellness, and FRAN, founder of cape_cacao, as we connect to the heart through the medicines of CACAO and SOUND.

These sisters share many things in common: a love for mantra, cacao, and heart-centred living.

You are warmly invited to join us for a cozy afternoon of devotion, connection, and celebration of all creation.

Together, we rise into a collective current of love, awakening the energies that already live within us, the quiet divinity, the ancient remembrance, and the voice of the heart.

We begin by sharing ceremonial Cacao, softening our edges, opening the inner channels, and connecting us more deeply to our hearts and voices. As the Cacao moves through the body, it invites ease, clarity, presence, and emotional expansion, the perfect foundation for our chanting journey.

From this softened, awakened space, we flow into Kirtan Yoga, the devotional practice of singing sacred mantras honouring various deities. Kirtan is not about performance; it is a call-and-response experience that unites breath, rhythm, vibration, and collective intention. Through chant, we invoke qualities such as love, peace, courage, compassion, and joy, energies that already dwell within each of us.

This gathering is not a religious event nor is it tied to any belief system. It is simply a celebration of sound, presence, and shared heart space.

Every being is welcome. No singing experience or spiritual background is needed.

Simply bring your open heart and a willingness to be held by Cacao and the music.

Be part of this loving vibration as we open our hearts with Cacao and raise our vibration through sound.

Book via Quicket.

13/09/2026

"Cacao is a divine, celestial drink…the sweat of the stars…the vital seed, divine nectar…the drink of the gods and universal medicine.” – Geronimo Piperni

Join Shala ~ Holistic Sanctuary for Wellness, Conservation + Retreats founder of Ceremonial Cacao | Sacred Medicine | Education as she demonstrates the bean to cup process of "Ka-Kaw" - the traditional raw medicinal chocolate drink of the Maya Civilisation.

Fran personally and ethically sources ceremonial-grade cacao from Guatemala, which has been used since ancient times in Meso-America for indigenous ceremonies long before we learnt how to make chocolate from it.

Research now shows that this superfood (which is traditionally known as the plant medicine of the heart) is a great source for physical health; but it goes far beyond just the physiological benefits.

At this year's Stanford in Bloom Fran will explain how ka-kaw / cacao can support us physically, emotionally and energetically.

Limited spaces available ~ booking is essential ~

🗓 Sunday 27 September
📍 Stanford Klein River Cheese demo kitchen
🎟 Tickets available via Webtickets

Inquiries? Email [email protected]

"Cacao is a divine, celestial drink…the sweat of the stars…the vital seed, divine nectar…the drink of the gods and unive...
13/09/2026

"Cacao is a divine, celestial drink…the sweat of the stars…the vital seed, divine nectar…the drink of the gods and universal medicine.” – Geronimo Piperni

Join Shala ~ Holistic Sanctuary for Wellness, Conservation + Retreats founder of Ceremonial Cacao | Sacred Medicine | Education as she demonstrates the bean to cup process of "Ka-Kaw" - the traditional raw medicinal chocolate drink of the Maya Civilisation.

Fran personally and ethically sources ceremonial-grade cacao from Guatemala, which has been used since ancient times in Meso-America for indigenous ceremonies long before we learnt how to make chocolate from it.

Research now shows that this superfood (which is traditionally known as the plant medicine of the heart) is a great source for physical health; but it goes far beyond just the physiological benefits.

At this year's Stanford in Bloom Fran will explain how ka-kaw / cacao can support us physically, emotionally and energetically.

Limited spaces available ~ booking is essential ~

🗓 Sunday 27 September
📍 Stanford Klein River Cheese demo kitchen
🎟 Tickets available via Webtickets

Inquiries? Email [email protected]

Spent a few days unda-da-sea 🪸 🦀 🐠 Visited land for cacao rituals at sunrise 🍫 🌅 As an ocean lover and conservationists ...
08/09/2026

Spent a few days unda-da-sea 🪸 🦀 🐠
Visited land for cacao rituals at sunrise 🍫 🌅

As an ocean lover and conservationists at heart (many moons ago, my university studies were in Nature Conservation) there has always been something intriguing about the marine environment for me.

While I am at home in wild spaces in the mountains, deserts and jungles of the terrestrial parts of our planet, I find myself coming back to the ocean over and over again.

I am always in awe when immersed in the salt waters of Mother Ocean, observing her corals and creatures great and small.

Every time I surface, I bring back from thw depths a new perspective on this precious life we have each been gifted.

May we not waste it - and may we leave a positive impact wherever we go.

Thank you Manon for being the absolute best ice-cream-eating dive-sister. And thanks for having me back again this year!

Fascia Release Retreat with Fran Siebrits 🗓 9-11 October📍Bodhi Khaya, at the gorgeous Wild Pod◇ Added techniques for des...
04/09/2026

Fascia Release Retreat with Fran Siebrits

🗓 9-11 October
📍Bodhi Khaya, at the gorgeous Wild Pod

◇ Added techniques for destressing such as parasympathetic respiration and gentle fascia movement to assist a stare of ease back into your connective tissue and central nervous system.

◇ Small group size

💌 Book in advance to secure your spot on the Fran's Shala website or email us for assistance: [email protected]

www.fran-shala.co.za/retreats

03/09/2026

Hearts full ... integration still loading...

Each year I am deeply moved and positively impacted by this incredible land and culture.

And this year's pilgrimage was another life-changing experience for myself, and our participants.

Bookings are already rolling in for our India Yoga Retreat 2027 to a traditional ashram for 10 days immersing in the cla...
19/08/2026

Bookings are already rolling in for our India Yoga Retreat 2027 to a traditional ashram for 10 days immersing in the classical yogic lifestyle...

Join us (Fran and Ryan) for our 6th trip to Rishikesh, the ancient birthplace of yoga.

Details on our websites:
www.fran-shala.co.za
www.afrishanti.com


Nourished by Marion and facilitated by Fran, this mother-daughter team look forward to hosting you in Mauritius for a sp...
15/08/2026

Nourished by Marion and facilitated by Fran, this mother-daughter team look forward to hosting you in Mauritius for a special Cacao and Yoga Retreat.

We will be based at a private guesthouse villa for the duration, with excursions to the inland cacao growing area of the island.

Limited to 8 participants...

🗓 14-18 June > 5 days / 14-19 June > 6 days

💌 Email for details: [email protected]


Address

Gansbaai

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