Yoga While High? Combining Cannabis and Asanas
If you're wondering "can I do yoga while high?", then you've come to the right place!
When yoga first started to become popular, many people were sceptical of the practice. Yoga has been practised for thousands of years and is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall health. As yoga became more popular in Western culture, so did cannabis use during yoga.
Some people have found that smoking weed before or after yoga helps them meditate better and makes their body feel more relaxed. However, there are also some cons associated with this type of use as well.
In this post, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of doing yoga while high along with useful tips on how to get the most out of your experience.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline that originated in ancient India and that includes breathing exercises and postures called asanas.
These asanas and breathing exercises work on the body, mind and spirit, and promote balance and health of the body, mind and spirit.
Yoga practices often include meditation and deep relaxation methods. Various yogic disciplines can also include self-talk or diaphragmatic breathing and chanting.
The practice has its origins in ancient Indian philosophy as early as around 500 B.C.T here are many forms of yoga out there today which range from flow or vinyasa yoga, where poses move one after another at a faster pace, Iyengar, based on precise posture alignments, Ashtanga which flows similarly like Vinyasa but includes more postures sets per session and Kundalini for those looking to increase their spiritual energy levels (just to name a few).
Yoga aims to improve your flexibility while also reducing stress levels through mindful practices; it can be done anywhere depending on what style of yoga you are practising (e.g. Iyengar requires a quiet space with minimal distractions). The possibilities are endless!
if you're interested in learning more about getting started with yoga be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Beginner's Yoga for Men.
How Cannabis Affects Your Mind and Body
Cannabis has been used and worshipped in cultures all around the world for its spirit-lifting properties. Although a taboo topic in many parts of modern society, cannabis has been known to have numerous mental and physical effects on those who consume it.
Cannabis can be consumed is entirely dependent upon what you’re looking to get out from the plant. There are four main routes through which this herbal remedy can enter your system: inhalation (smoke), oral ingestion (edibles) or topical application.
Whether inhaled or ingested orally, THC enters blood vessels present throughout our lungs or digestive tract before crossing into the bloodstream; once there, they bind with receptors found throughout the brain and body.
All of these receptors are activated in some way when THC binds with them, producing a number of effects on our central nervous system (CNS): most notably an increase in dopamine production followed by feelings of euphoria or relaxation; this is often referred to as feeling “high”.
This sensation can be different for everyone, depending on how much THC is ingested and individual brain chemistry; common effects include feelings of increased creativity or introspection, happiness or empathy.
Cannabis affects different people in various ways: some users report feeling no noticeable effect at all, while others feel uncomfortable side-effects like anxiety or paranoia. As always, consult your doctor before beginning any new medical treatment.
Why People Use Marijuana During Yoga Practice
Stoned yoga has become a multi-million dollar business in the states that have legalized cannabis. Why?
Getting high and doing yoga doesn't seem like they would go hand in hand, but for many, it's a deeply spiritual experience to get baked before starting their practice.
There are plenty of reasons why people would want to practice yoga while high: pain relief is one of them. The active component in cannabis, THC, is an analgesic that has proven to be just as effective at relieving pain as opiates.
People use marijuana during yoga practice for its ability to help them relax and focus on their breathing while practising poses.
Another reason people turn to weed before doing yoga is that it helps with ailments like migraines or cancer treatments. Studies have also shown that smoking marijuana can even fight against neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
Cannabis also increases focus which leads to better poses and deeper breathing techniques. For those who want mental clarity without getting too spaced out, using buds rather than concentrates will give you just enough THC to enhance your practice.
Can I Do Yoga While High?
So you're wondering "can I do yoga while high"? Well, the answer to this question is yes and no. It really all depends on the person. Some people can smoke weed and do yoga, while others cannot. For example, for some people, smoking weed can make their anxiety worse. If this is the case for you, it's best to skip weed while practising yoga.
On the other hand, if you don't have an issue with your anxiety, and feel relaxed and comfortable when you smoke weed, give it a shot. There is no reason why both activities cannot coexist. You just need to know how much of each activity to partake in so as not to cause any issues for yourself or others around you.
There is nothing wrong with getting high prior to practising yoga either. However, people should be aware that they may feel more inclined towards laziness than usual while under the influence of marijuana. Keep this in mind if taking up a challenging vinyasa flow.
Benefits of Using Marijuana during yoga Practice
There's a number of benefits that can be reaped from practising yoga while high. The most common benefits include:
Increased relaxation and focus, which makes the experience more meditative and enjoyable.
Improved coordination and balance, which leads to better yoga form and prevents injury.
Higher sense of self-awareness, which can make it easier for practitioners to recognize certain aspects of their practice that need improvement.
Potentially reduced feelings of anxiety during the experience, making the yoga practice more enjoyable.
Risks of Using Marijuana during a Practice
It's important to be aware of some of the downsides to doing yoga while high. Some of the risks with lighting up before practising yoga include:
A person could fall or injure themselves if they are not focused enough on their practice.
Marijuana use can lead to the same issues as alcohol, such as dehydration and anxiety.
The smell of marijuana smoke may be distracting for other people in a yoga studio. And because weed is so potent, it will stay around long after someone has finished smoking it – which means anyone entering the room later might get high just from being near the lingering odour. This makes practising yoga with others more difficult than doing so alone.
It's easy to overdo things when using pot recreationally, especially due to its tendency to reduce inhibitions and make users feel more comfortable about pushing themselves physically
Tips for Using Marijuana While Practising Yoga
But if it's something you enjoy and would prefer to avoid but don't have a problem with using it every now and then, there are some tips to make your experience more enjoyable.
One of the best ways to use marijuana during yoga is at home. This way you can do your practice in a comfortable environment without worrying about what others think or having to leave class early if things get too intense for you.
Different strains have different effects. Indica dominant strains are generally more tired and relaxing while sativas tend to be energizing.
Use a vaporizer for a healthier alternative to smoking.
Also, it's important that you don’t overdo your practice when using cannabis in any form.
Moderation is key! If you find yourself overly reliant on smoking weed to get through your yoga practice, you should consider scaling back a bit.
The Verdict
The benefits of yoga are well documented but there is one aspect that may be new to you - the use of cannabis while practising yoga. There are many reasons why people might choose this combination for their practice, including pain relief and spiritual enlightenment. But it’s not for everyone, and reliance on any substance to enjoy your practice can be detrimental to your personal growth. If you're interested in incorporating marijuana into your own yoga routine, consult with a physician or dispensary before diving into it headfirst.
