TIPS FOR A GANJA YOGA NEWBIE
New To The Practice Of Cannabis-enhanced Yoga? Here Are Our Top-Tips For Ensuring A Safe, Fun, And Sustainable Practice, Starting With The Most Fun…
1. Develop A Relationship With Cannabis Both On And Off The Mat
We each respond to weed in unique ways, so if you’re new to using the plant, keep a journal by your rolling tray so you can track which strains, methods of consumption, dosing, and frequency best serve your needs in each context.
You might notice you need less cannabis for yoga poses than for watching stand-up comedy, - or conversely, you may choose to use more cannabis than needed for Netflix, so you can blast off into a psychedelic meditation, byee!!
.. It’s always totally your call how much cannabis to use, and whether to use it at all.
The more you develop a relationship with the plant, the better able you’ll be to use the perfect dose and frequency of intake for your specific intention, which we’ll talk about in number 3, but before that, for heaven’s sakes, -
2. Get Good Weed If You Can
Ok, I admit, I’m writing this from sunny California, with some of the best sun-and-moon-grown cannabis in the world.
Outdoor-grown pot is nicer to mama earth because it uses fewer resources, (indoor needs lights, electricity, etc.). However, if it’s not available where you live, see if you can at least get your hands on some organically-grown products - ideally whole-plant forms of the medicine instead of isolates. (And, if using concentrates, avoid those made with butane at all cost, even if it’s been “purged” off the product. Ew x like a million…).
3. Tune Into Your Intentions
We use the power of intention, - our wants and our will to get what we want, - to get the most out of this spiritual ancient medicine.
Begin by tuning in and asking yourself these three questions:
Where am I at right now?
What is it that I want from cannabis?
How can I facilitate cannabis in getting what I desire?
(Meaning: How can I co-create with the medicine).
Maybe you feel stressed, and want to relax, so you facilitate cannabis’ ability to relax you by turning your ringer off, playing chill tunes, lowering the lights, and sipping chamomile tea with some grounding breathing as you toke.
Maybe you feel numb and tired and you want cannabis to energize and inspire your yoga practice, so you facilitate this intention with a zesty glass of lemonade or a cup of green tea or other caffeine drink, and take a short but brisk walk as you blaze before selecting some upbeat music for your practice.
No matter what it is you feel before getting high, and what you want to feel as a result of using the plant, the key is directing your mind toward your intended experience, setting the stage to help cannabis aid you in achieving whatever your desired outcome.
4. Pay Attention To Set And Setting
Speaking of setting the stage, - the music, lighting, and vibe around you will impact your stoned-yoga flow as much as the strain, dose, and method of ingesting cannabis. You heard it right, - we are creatures of our environment, so even the strongest kush can’t compete with beeps from your phone and a pile of unfinished business that may distract you during yoga.
Take time to set your stoned-yoga space.
Take a minute to tidy up a little, then pick relaxing tunes and promptly turn off your ringer and put your phone away. Far, far away.
Lock the door and get cozy, light a candle to bring the vibe, and do any other ritual that will grant you the most peace and freedom.
You get out of Ganja Yoga what you put in, so put some energy toward creating the most perfect Yoga Zone you can before you get high, and you’ll find the results of your yoga practice super intensified.
5. Stay In The Present
Mindfulness is the foundation of all yoga, whether a fast-moving power class, a tantra-based erotic class, or a yin restorative class.
Practice being alert and aware of your inner landscape, both as you consume, and as you move through the breathing and postures.
Keep coming back to the present moment.
It takes… a LOT of practice.
And it IS the practice.
Allow what is, if you can. Whatever thoughts come up.
Without judging or resisting what’s in your mind, or going down story tangents, getting stuck in distraction, practice seeing and releasing.
This is infinitely easier-said-than-done, but with practice, you’ll find mindfulness becomes easier, even second nature, leading to a fuller experience of life, rather than floating through one’s life on autopilot, reacting blindly to life’s triggers. It’s infinitely worth the work.
And, as I mentioned before, mindful awareness is the foundation of all yoga, - the physical poses are more like the icing on the cake of the mind.
Mmm, cake…..
Ok, there you have it, the top tips for starting a new Ganja Yoga practice, in review:
Develop a relationship with the plant
Source quality medicine
Set your intention
Design your setting
Practice mindful awareness