201: In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Lottie De Bruijn — a woman who embodies a rare and beautiful combination: grounded strength and clarity, paired with warmth, softness, and a deeply nurturing presence.
Her Yin Yoga classes and cacao ceremonies are truly authentic. She genuinely lives what she teaches — with integrity, simplicity, and heart.
Lottie has been part of my retreats here in Portugal, and from the very first moment we met, I felt a connection.
In this conversation, we explore the power of yin — and why our modern world so desperately needs it.
This is a warm, heart-opening, cozy dialogue about softness, ritual, and the gentle medicine of cacao.
Maybe grab a cup of cacao… and listen from the heart.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Lottie’s personal journey into Yin Yoga and ceremonial cacao
- The correlation of being and actress and teaching yoga
- The difference between yin and yang
- Where yang energy dominates our modern lives
- Why yin can feel uncomfortable — and why that discomfort matters
- How Yin Yoga affects the nervous system differently than performance-based practices
- What happens when societies undervalue receptivity, rest, and slowness
- The origins of ceremonial cacao and its indigenous roots
- The idea of plant spirit and how cacao works as “heart medicine”
- Why cacao and yin practices complement each other so beautifully
- How to cultivate yin qualities in our everyday lifestyle
Journal Reflections for you:
- Where in your life are you pushing instead of softening?
- What feels uncomfortable about stillness — and why?
- What would it mean to truly receive instead of constantly doing?
Books on Yin Yoga:
- Bernie Clark – *The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga
- Sarah Powers – *Insight Yoga
- Paul Grilley – Yin Yoga
*Practice with Lottie*
If you’re in Portugal (Aljezur area), you can practice with Lottie in person.
She also co-facilitates retreats — including one at the end of October.
Contact:
📧
[email protected]Lotties Retreat Page: https://www.instagram.com/retreat_portugal_2026?igsh=dnNjeWk1YmplbnU1&utm_source=qr
Soul Vision Ritual – Workshop with Wanda Badwal
Join the Vision Workshop here:
https://wandabadwalyoga.com/programs/collection-9prh2us3t3e
Sign up for the Wanda Badwal Yoga Membership & App:
https://wandabadwal.com/membership
Order Wanda’s new book *Soulful Mama – Yoga & Spirituality for a Fulfilled Pregnancy* now:
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Love,
Wanda