If you live in a state where cannabis is legalized, you’ve probably come across advertisements for yoga and cannabis classes or retreats. For all serious yogis, there’s a way to enjoy cannabis and completely focus on your yoga without stopping to smoke. Why not enjoy the benefits of CBD and yoga in a way that’s quick and easy? Tinctures are your answer, they’re high potency, medicinal quality and covers the whole span of strains from sativa to indica.
Cannabis and Ayurveda
Ayurveda was created in India over 5,000 years ago. The translation from Sanskrit means life (Ayur) and knowledge (Veda). It’s still practiced today in India with over 90% of Indians using this form of medicine. It’s viewed as alternative medicine in the West. Ayurveda and yoga are two “sister” practices that began in India thousands of years ago.
Ayurvedic medicine does not follow the one size fits all approach. It’s individualized based on your specific Prakriti which means constitution. It’s believed that your Prakriti is set at conception, it’s like your personal blueprint that establishes your energy level, mood, and health. Your Prakriti is based on the balance of your three main energies which is referred to as doshas in Ayurveda medicine. The following are breakdowns of the three doshas:
- Pitta Energy- They are led by the fire element. This type has the tendency to be irritable, innately strong and intense. Their physical composition tends toward a powerful musculature and a medium build. They commonly suffer from rashes, loose stool, inflammation, and acne.
- Vata Energy- People who have this energy tend to be lanky and thin. They are physically and mentally active and enjoy meeting new people, traveling and creativity. When out of balance they can get ungrounded, anxious, have difficulty completing projects, fulling commitments and sticking to routines. It’s common for them to suffer from dry skin, constipation, cracked joints, and cold hands and feet.
- Kapha Energy- These people tend to be naturally athletic and have strong frames as long as they continue to exercise to combat their tendency toward weight gain. They are usually loyal, innately stable and compassionate. They like doing things in a step by step manner and prefer a predictable routine in their professional and personal lives.
Bi-doshic and Tri-doshic
Most of us are Bi-doshic which means that two of these types of energies are strong within us. If you’re bi-doshic one energy will dominate the other in one circumstance and vice-versa. According to Ayurveda, it’s best to manage the doshas by season. Some are even Tri-doshic which means all three energies are equal in their influence. When in balance, a tri-doshic individual can be very stable, strong and adaptable, but when out of balance they can experience poor health.
Cannabis Was Used with Caution During Ancient Ayurveda Times
In Ayurveda, cannabis is known as a medicinal herb and it’s only recommended in small doses and in combination with another herb to balance the tamasic effects of the plant. Tamasic is a word used to describe drugs used for the purpose of escaping pain or emotions.
Ayurvedic medicine was created to heal and treat problems. It’s understandable that cannabis was taken with caution since the goal was to heal and get to the root of the problem, not mask it with the psychoactive feeling you receive from THC.
Reap the Full benefits of CBD Without the THC
This is where modern-day medicine has the advantage. Due to today’s available technology, CBD can be completely separated from the plant. The medicinal properties can be used to provide relief from physical ailments without the mind-altering THC component.
Executive director of New York City’s Hudson Spine & Pain Medicine, Dr. Jonathann Kuo stated that Cannabis can help relax a person’s airway which can help them breathe a little better and that some strains will help you feel more in touch with your body and will give you a body high, and both of these factors help with yoga.
If you possess dominant Vata energy, CBD tinctures can prove to be of great benefit. The CBD and various techniques used in yoga is a wonderful combination which allows you to let go of anxiety and relax. If Pitta Energy is your dominant dosha, CBD can provide benefits in topical form. Massage therapists are beginning to use CBD on their patients to provide muscle pain relief.
When people practice yoga, they do it for a multitude of reasons, which includes stretching, to get centered, to let go and find mindfulness, among others. CBD is also popular when it comes to dealing with stress. It possesses an amazing ability to interact with cell receptors, including dopamine and serotonin. The reaction between these receptors allows more neurotransmitters to follow throughout the body, which can result in wellbeing. When you combine this with yoga, it helps you move away from the “flight or fight” stress reaction and into a state of relaxation.
Cannabis and Yoga Retreats
Darrin Zeer, the founder of 420 retreats in Colorado claimed that for him, cannabis is a medicine for the emotional, physical and spiritual body. He also stated that mind-altering substances were used in rituals back in Vedic times with the goal of expanding consciences. He attested that his back and chronic joint pain has benefited from consuming marijuana while practicing yoga.
Many have joined him in this practice as he holds yoga retreats in Canada and Colorado. He offers retreats that include cannabis couple’s yoga, massages, meditation, and movement.
The Right Strain
Heading to a dispensary and just picking up weed to start your yoga or meditation session will not yield the results you desire if your aim is to calm anxiety. Consuming the right strain is important whenever you are trying to combat anxiety and stress.
State licensed dispensaries like San Diego’s Harbor Collective typically have a wide range of tinctures and topicals available for you to choose from. Tinctures of different ratios are available along with ones that are formulated to specifically target whatever you want to address, whether it be increased energy or help with lack of sleep or stress.
