If you enjoy yoga and cannabis then you likely already know, this pairing is nothing short of magical! It’s a big claim, but true for me and many others. If you’ve never tried it but enjoy yoga or cannabis independently from one another, I invite you to flow as you’ve never flowed before!
Cannabis use and consumption is actually an ancient practice. There are findings of cannabis in ancient burial tombs and sites. For instance, Cannabis Sativa is associated with the first emperor of China and is referenced in eastern medicine dating back nearly 2,000 years. However, the earliest mention of cannabis has been found in The Vedas, the sacred Hindu texts. These writings date back to as early as 2000 B.C. where it is referenced as one of the five most sacred plants on Earth, as a source of happiness amount other benefits.
Lord Shiva is referenced as the Adi Yogi (the first yogi), which marks him as the father of yoga. Among the practices credited to Lord Shiva are Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, and Raja Yoga. It is also said that Lord Shiva one of the three supreme gods in Hinduism gifted his people with cannabis.
This pairing has been linked together for centuries as an enhancement, an added tool, and/or a spiritual practice. Although many view yoga simply as an exercise to strengthen the muscles, it’s so much more than that, especially when paired with a spiritual, healing herb like cannabis. After all, cannabis and yoga have been linked to wellness and healing for quite some time!
Today this is an increasingly popular practice for many in cannabis legal states and in homes throughout prohibition states thanks to medical dispensaries or our kind, dependable, and friendly dealers! Regardless, it’s a heavenly practice that will leave you rejuvenated, relaxed, and just kinda feeling like your heart is a little bigger and more open.
I’ve been practicing yoga for about 7 years. I fell in love with the practice my very first class. However, I personally hadn’t merged the magic of cannabis and yoga until one night in November of 2019 when I was in so much pain that I dropped to the floor and into child pose as the bowl of cookies-n-cream just sunk into my body. I followed that with a few rounds of cat/cow and downward dog. That night I was able to settle into a rhythmic flow from one asana (pose) to the next, it was all very intuitive. I started practicing daily, multiple times a day. It became a form of pain management, and it helped with the anxiety and depression looming over not feeling well. Cannabis and yoga helped me heal. Today, I know and understand why it helped me so much.
The effects of cannabis and yoga each have seem to involve the endocannabinoid system (ECS), it’s almost like one supercharges the powers of the other! Yoga and cannabis help many of the same systems and both help reach an internal balance or homeostasis, and both produce blissful effects. They clearly complement each other. Now, the science behind it is still a bit unclear due to the limited availability of cannabis-related case studies of any kind. Yet we know that the ECS affects everything from sleep, appetite, mood, and the sensation of pain.
Now, I can’t promise that you’ll love it- but you just might! There are so many benefits to this pairing. But before you actually spark it up (CBD, edibles, dabs, and vape pens totally count too)- let’s cover some facts and safety precautions.
- Start low, both with small hits or low doses of edibles, and look for a yoga class that is more of a sitting or laying down practice.
- Starting out with an online practice or a small group practice may help, the Peloton app is my go-to!
- Plan accordingly, if you partake you may not be able to run the errands you normally run after yoga class- so be sure to have a DD if there are errands that must be taken care of.
- If you try it and it’s too much, have some CBD. CBD helps counteract the “high”.
- Listen to your body. In some practices all your body will want to do is savasana (corpse pose) in other classes you’ll find you have more energy and endurance, therefore you’ll be able to push yourself a bit more.
In order to get the most out of your experience, it’s super important to be mindful that you’re not simply trying to get high. Otherwise, you might end up feeling like you had a cup of espresso before bed, meaning you may not get the most out of the practice for wellness as if you were intentional about it. So here are some pairings to check out!
Pairing 1
To get started, take it slow, I would recommend pairing a Restorative Yoga class with an Indica or Indica leaning hybrid.
STRAIN: Indica or Hybrid Indica. I’m thinking Cookies-n-cream, Northern Lights, Lavender, or Granddaddy Purp
YOGA: Restorative Yoga is the practice of holding the poses for longer than in most other yoga classes. Most of the class will likely be laying down in various supported poses via the use of yoga props such as blocks, and blankets. The body is allowed to relax reducing stress.
BENEFITS: The benefits of restorative include chronic pain reduction, calming/resetting of the nervous system, strengthening of the immune system, improved sleep, better mood, and general wellness.
Pairing 2
If you have practiced before, but are new to the cannabis aspect you might like this one!
STRAIN: Hybrid or Balanced Sativa. I’m thinking Flo, Blue Dream, or GSC (Girl Scout Cookies)
YOGA: Hatha Yoga or Slow Flow are practices where you move a bit slower than other practices, yet more than in restorative.
BENEFITS: The benefits of Hatha Yoga include improved sleep, core muscle strength, help with anxiety and depression, and overall wellness.
Pairing 3
This is the one to try if you were comfortable and not overly challenged by Paring 2.
STRAIN: Sativa or Hybrid leaning Sativa. I’m thinking Super Lemon Haze, Glass Apple, or Tropicana Cookies
YOGA: Vinyasa Yoga or Power Yoga, these practices move faster than the others discussed. The body moves in sync with the breath to create faster fluid movements and can be much more challenging.
BENEFITS: Include increased endurance and strength training, stability and balance, help with anxiety and depression, and overall wellness.
If you’re ready to give it a go, check out some handy dandy tools to support you along with your practice:
Remember, I’m not here to promise that cannabis is a miracle cure, but I sure as hell am going to share the many wonderful qualities of it! It may or may not be right for you specifically, and that’s totally okay too. If you have questions though, ask them! I am here for you.
As always, the information provided on Mary J’s Apothecary, LLC is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you’re seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
So, until our next sesh, unroll your mat, roll up that blunt and let’s get elevated!
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