Times are changing. We can either choose to stick to our old ways or adapt and overcome whatever the world puts in front of us. Over the last two years, the majority of life has taken place indoors, in the privacy of our homes. We grow cannabis at home, cook at home, exercise at home—even take business calls at home. Out of all the ways to stay healthy and active amidst the pandemic, yoga has emerged as one of the most accessible workouts to perform at home. All you need is a mat, maybe a block, and a free YouTube video to get started. Cannabis and yoga go hand-in-hand like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Read on to learn more about finding your inner calmness with the help of cannabis, yoga, and meditation.
Introducing Cannabis Into Your Yoga Practice
How bummed/annoyed were you when your gym first closed in March? Since then, we’ve been forced to find new and innovative ways to stay healthy and active, mostly at home. For yoga, all you need is a mat, a rug, or a carpet to get settled in a comfortable pose. But then your mind starts to race. You’re tempted to check your phone, read the news, reply to an email… Cannabis can help change that unsettled and unfocused feeling. Cannabis can help you become a better yoga practitioner and simultaneously help you reach inner calmness and peace.
The Right Kind Of Yoga Practice
There are two varieties of yoga—the active class with elements of cardio, HIIT, and free weights, and the stretching class with an emphasis on flexibility, mindfulness, and breathwork. In my experience, cannabis and an active yoga class don’t mix that well. I feel sluggish, and lost in the cardio rhythm. I find it more effective to add weed to your breathwork class. Cannabis can provide a boost of relaxation and introspectiveness as you slowly move in between stretches. If it’s calmness you’re after, I highly suggest a yoga practice that highlights mobility, breathwork, and flexibility (poses like Downward Facing Dog, Child’s Pose, and Cobra).
The Right Kind of Cannabis Strain
Just as important as the yoga class itself is the cannabis strain. For my calmness practice, I opt for a sativa-dominant hybrid for a gentle boost of energy with a hint of indica relaxation and calmness–the best of both worlds. In terms of the consumption method, I recommend either smoking or vaping before class. Stay away from edibles as they’re typically much too heavy for any sort of workout. A little goes a long way (I take about three inhales from a vape in my car).
Growers Choice has a variety of yoga-friendly cannabis strains from Acapulco Gold (a very popular choice amongst consumers) to Bruce Banner and CBD Critical Mango. A high-CBD marijuana strain makes for a great pre-workout habit. I also love these high-CBD strains for a yoga class:
- CBD Shark
- CBD Blueberry
- CBD Moby Dick
- CBD Critical Mass
The Easiest At-Home Workout
In a twisted way, I have to thank the pandemic for giving me the time to become a better yoga practitioner. All this time at home has allowed me to work on myself: my happiness, my goals, my dreams, and even my business. Yoga is the perfect at-home workout as it requires minimal space, minimal equipment, and it’s QUIET. It’s the perfect mix of movement, calmness, and peace. Nothing drives me up the wall like hearing my upstairs neighbor jump around to loud music and heavy footsteps. It should be part of the “COVID Work From Home” etiquette rulebook to keep the noise to a minimum. Have you ever tried adding cannabis to your workout? Or yoga practice? Let us know!
