In the last several years, the combination of marijuana and yoga has attracted even more attention from the advocates of healthy lifestyles, the experts in the sphere of medicine and sciences, etc. More people are running to this duo to improve their had, yoga practice, stress level, and – full well-being. But why and in what way precisely do cannabis and yoga complement each other?
Is it just a fashion or there are health benefits associated with its use? If you are wondering how cannabis will help enhance your yoga sessions, you are in for a treat as below we examine the benefits of combining the two.
What is the connection between Cannabis and Yoga?
To review all the elements that link cannabis and yoga let us look at these two activities and practices more closely. They have their origins in the earliest systems of thinking about the mind-body relationship to health, though the confluence of these systems in the contemporary context is of more recent making.
The history of Cannabis in Wellness practices
Cannabis has been consumed through different cultures for millennia this is as a herbal remedy as well as for spiritual purposes. Before arriving on the Indian subcontinent, humans have been utilizing cannabis for religious purposes and for coinciding meditation. It has recently gained popularity as more states legalize its use due to medical benefits in treating diseases like anxiety, chronic pains, and insomnia among others.
The role of Yoga in Mind-Body connection
Yoga originated in India and is centered on the coordination of the body and mind through exercises that involve body postures, breath control, and meditation exercises. A large number of individuals participate in yoga exercises to improve issues with flexibility, strength, and even their brain.
Ingesting cannabis during Yoga practice offers an opportunity to synergize with the effects of both; Yoga and cannabis. Yoga and massage are a great combination for all the people willing to get a more profound level of practice and healing from body and/or mental pain.
How Does Cannabis Enhance Your Yoga Practice?
Another clear benefit of practicing yoga with cannabis is the raisin in general physical, as well as mental fitness level gains. Yoga is a great way to reach this level peacefully whether you have been practicing it for years or have never tried it before incorporating cannabis can put the brain in a very relaxed and focused state. Allow me to dissect some of the several areas through which cannabis enhances your yoga experience.
1. Cannabis for Enhanced Flexibility
Flexibility is perhaps one of the most main reasons that people take cannabis before practicing yoga. Stretching is also eased by the fact that many people who use cannabis say that the substance also has a muscle-relaxing effect. THC and CBD are the active components of cannabis and based on this, cannabis usually has muscle-relaxing properties that make practice more enjoyable.
Did you know? The study in the Journal of Pain depicts that, cannabis can reduce muscle rigidity that may be beneficial for flexibility while performing yoga.
2. Paying attention to something more and being actively aware of it
Again, yoga is not just about exercising the body because it also includes the mind and being mentally present. The act has also mentioned that the use of cannabis, especially the types that are high in CBD can help people that require it to remain focused during their yoga sessions.
It can lower the noise which fills our minds most of the time, and help us be more mindful of the present moment. Most of the yogis have mentioned that after taking marijuana they find themselves more in tune with the breath and the body.
Do you ever get the issue of losing concentration during exercise practice? It turns out that cannabis might be able to assist you in developing that type of focus that is inherent in mindfulness.
- Pain Relief and Recovery
3. Pain Relief and recovery
Experience again learning that the majority of the Yoga enthusiasts or participants, especially those who involve themselves in rigorous exercises suffer from pain and muscle cramps. Marijuana, especially CBD, has become the buzz for some time now because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
By taking cannabis before or after yoga, it becomes easier to do certain stretches or poses which else will be extremely painful. This is very useful for those who are living with so much pain or with injuries they sustained from accidents.
Research and a study from the American Journal of Public Health suggest that CBD can help to alleviate such things as arthritis and muscle pain to enhance a yoga experience without discomfort.
The Best Strains of Marijuana for the Yogis
The best types of Cannabis for Yoga practitioners
There are various types of cannabis, and the type to use may greatly affect your yoga experience. Below are some of the best kinds of cannabis that you need to consider for use in your practice.
Indica Strains
In case you want to take cannabis before your yoga session because you wish to calm down, then it is Indica you should look for. Being known as one of the best strains for inducing relaxation while in the process of sedating the entire body, Indica types of cannabis are the best all-around natural relaxants. These strains are especially useful for those people who practice restorative or yin yoga, which includes slow stretches and relaxation.
Sativa Strains
To get an extra boost during yoga, for instance, vinyasa or power yoga, Sativa could serve the purpose best. These strains are best to use when you intend to be a little more active during your practice because they will help keep you awake and alert. Sativa may also increase creativity, which will allow your practice to be more improvised in some way.
Hybrid Strains
The wonders of the weed do not end here since for those who travel in between mild and energetic the hybrid is made available for them. A hybrid of Indica and Sativa can have a positive effect while keeping alert and relaxed. The hybrid strains are best suited for yogis who would like to be as elastic as practicable in all kinds of practice – from light stretching to vigorous motions.
How to safely combine Cannabis and Yoga
As with anything related to well-being, it is always wise to embark on the consumption of cannabis with caution except when doing yoga. Here are some tips for using cannabis safely and effectively during your yoga practice:
Start low, Go slow
In case you never used cannabis alongside yoga before, it’s necessary to start with a minimum dose. Cannabis affects everyone’s body differently; one feels uncomfortable, or maybe more anxious than usual when one has taken too much cannabis. Try taking a small amount of cannabis during practice and check on how the body and the mind will react.
Choose the right environment
Contrary to that, yoga with cannabis is normally done in a familiar, safe environment to ensure the user feels at ease. Ensure that the environment is calm, there is no noise and there are no distractions around you. The purpose is to have an opportunity to get to work properly and persistently, so pick a place that will help you to focus and find inner harmony.
Listen to your Body
This is important so that they do not strain the muscles or in the process of training realize that they need to reduce their intensity of training because of sores or any other related factors in the body. One wonders whether you are lazing around too much or you do not feel motivated anymore, it may be time to cut back on cannabis. Alternatively, if you are stressed or preoccupied with other things, then a small dose of cannabis may aid in relaxation and better concentration.
Is using Cannabis and Yoga safe?
Now, if you are in doubt about whether it is possible to mix cannabis and yoga, then I’d like to inform you that it is possible, though carefully. Yoga and cannabis may complement each other but you should always practice moderation. Cannabis and yoga: know how cannabis impacts your body, and never do yoga if you’re high or dizzy. As usual, it is best to seek medical advice especially when you have other medical conditions or issues.
Have you thought about the effects of blending cannabis with yoga? When it comes to safety and correlates at work, safety should always be the primary priority but using both can be of great worth when done right.
Conclusion
Thus, marijuana and yoga are the two complementary procedures that can open up new avenues of dealing with health enhancement. From pain relief to flexibility, or to get to understand your practice at a deeper level, cannabis will boost the yogic experience in more ways than you can imagine. As with any wellness practice, though, it’s crucial to do it conscientiously, and with the appropriate caution.
Are you prepared for an examination of the exciting advances to your yoga session through cannabis? Some may find strains or doses that make them sleepy while others may find yoga types that they find most effective. Open up the partnership of body and mind and enter the next level of calmness, rest, and potency.
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