Yogic Highs

5 Tips for Practicing Yoga with Cannabis

Called Bhang or Bhanga, Cannabis use is recorded in Indian texts, dating back to 1000 CE. In the Tantric texts, cannabis is recorded as an aphrodisiac for the practice and rituals of tantric sex in the 1st millennium AD. Cannabis is also recorded in the Vedas or Rig Veda (Sacred Hindu texts) in the 7th century. Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago in India by the Indus-Saravasti Civilization. The word, Yoga, is first mentioned in the Vedas.

Vedic Texts describe cannabis as one of five sacred plants. Vedic texts praise cannabis as a source of joy, happiness, releasing anxiety and fear. In Hinduism, the god Shiva is associated with cannabis (Bhang).

The legend states that after fighting with his family, Shiva was enraged and went into a field. Being drained and in the hot sun, Shiva fell asleep under a broad leafy plant. Once he woke up he became curious about the plant. Shiva sampled the leaves and was instantly refreshed and rejuvenated. In India, Shiva is known as the Lord of Bhang (cannabis).

Knowing this, I felt compelled to incorporate its medicinal use into my yoga practice. I have been practicing yoga with cannabis for 15 years.

Without cannabis in my system, I generally feel distracted, uncomfortable and unfocused with my inner-self. When using cannabis for Yoga, it allows me to go deeper. Deeper breathing, deeper stretching, deeper engagement with my mind-body connection. It increases my awareness of areas of discomfort and allows me to keep a harmonious inner balance.

When practicing yoga, here is the regimen I follow:

1. Breath

Diaphragmatic Breathing is the practice of breathing from your diaphragm or belly. It should be deep and relaxed. This optimizes the diaphragm, the main muscle of breath. I opt for a 5 second inhalation in a three-part breath in the sequence of 1- expanding the belly; 2- working this expansion up through the ribs; 3- then upper chest. Then a three-part, 5 second exhalation in reverse of 1- the upper chest; 2- the ribs; 3- the belly. The aim is to saturate your system with oxygen. I do this for 5 minutes to increase my parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system while lowering my sympathetic (fight or flight) nervous system.

2. Get High

Choose a strain that is relaxing and not overstimulating. There are many strains that you can find for specific effects of relaxation, focus and calm. Every body is different, so finding the right strain for your needs can make all the difference in the way you experience your yoga practice.

I like smoking hybrids with a 60/40 or a 70/30 Sativa to Indica ratio, as it allows for an alert yet tranquil state to be present in my yoga practice.

3. Hydrate

Before starting your yoga sessions I suggest hydrating with at least 500ml of water to moisten any after-effects of cannabis like dry eyes or cottonmouth. Hydration also allows for proper blood circulation, flushing of toxins and synovial joint fluid movement.

4. Get Organized

Put out your mat, yoga blocks, straps or whatever you need for your practice session. This will give your body some time to settle the water and start feeling the effects of cannabis in your system before your practice.

5. Practice.

Enjoy the movement. Allow yourself to go deep into your practice. Just let go. Let go of all the things that no longer serve you in your life. Let go of the pain, anger, worry, frustrations. Just breathe and enjoy!

Sources:

Burgin, T., 2018. History of yoga. [online] Yoga Basics. Available at: <https://www.yogabasics.com/learn/history-of-yoga/> [Accessed 30 January 2022].

Gumbiner, J., 2021. History of Cannabis in India. [online] Psychology Today. Available at: <https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-teenage-mind/201106/history-cannabis-in-india> [Accessed 30 January 2022].

Michael R. Aldrich (1977) Tantric Cannabis Use in India, Journal of Psychedelic Drugs, 9:3, 227-233, DOI: 10.1080/02791072.1977.10472053

Singles, j., Mirgain, S. and Hampton, A., 2016. VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. [online] Va.gov. Available at: <https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/diaphragmatic-breathing.asp> [Accessed 30 January 2022].