Yoga Infused
When tackling this complex subject, is it better to refer to it as cannabis-based yoga…or yoga-situated cannabis use? Certainly these two agents of personal change are intertwined; both were prominent parts of the “counterculture” during the mind-expanding 1960s and more inner-focused 1970s. In more recent decades, the medicinal and healing benefits of both cannabis and yoga have come to the forefront, legitimizing both disciplines even further, as their inevitable unification comes to fruition in the more enlightened 21st century. The new millennium has also been a spotlight shining on the absolutely critical role that women have played in bringing the two pastimes even closer together, and for this story, High Times interviewed with some of the most dynamic female practitioners of dank yoga—experts Minelli Eustacio, Eliza Maroney and Rachael Carlevale—who all graciously shared their insights and innovations.
YOGA FROM EAST TO WEST
Yoga is a combination mental-physical-spiritual discipline that originated in ancient India more than 3,000 years ago, and was first mentioned in ancient sacred texts known as the Rigveda. The word itself comes from the Sanskrit language “yuj” meaning “yoke” or “union’’—with the aim being to unify one’s mind, body and spirit.
Yoga utilizes meditation along with breathing techniques called pranayama, as well as employing deliberate body postures, known as asanas. These are designed to “still the mind” as well as elevate the prana shakti, the primordial life energy that permeates reality on every level.
In the post-modern world, yoga has been utilized as a way of combining relaxation with exercise. Hatha—the term deriving from Sanskrit, meaning “force”—is the branch of yoga that is most common to the Western world and America. Vinyasa is a faster-paced version, with more constant flow of movements.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, among the practical and realized benefits of yoga are improving strength, balance, flexibility, providing stress reduction, reducing back and arthritis pain, helping to cope with insomnia issues and can even promote heart health.
CANNABIS AND YOGA
The Hindu deity Shiva, being the god of both cannabis and yoga, reveals that from a very early time, people recognized the deep-rooted connections between the two. Indeed, adherents of yoga known as Yogis have for centuries utilized cannabis to augment their practice, as the physical and psychoactive properties of the plant can improve focus and allow one stronger access to both their mind and body.
While the use of cannabis to enhance—or perhaps even –the yoga experience is virtually synonymous within the foundations
