By Steven Voser


Cannabis yoga is making headlines all over the world, with both teachers and students endorsing its unique benefits. But, you might be surprised to learn that weed and yoga don’t always go hand in hand.

What Is Ganja Yoga?

“Weed yoga”, “ganja yoga”, and “stoned yoga” have all become recent buzzwords. In places where cannabis is legal (such as Colorado, California, and Canada), new-age yogis are combining cannabis with their practice, claiming it can help their students better connect with their mind, body, and spirit.

History suggests that cannabis has grown naturally in the foothills of regions like modern-day Pakistan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and India for thousands of years, where it played a key role in religion and spirituality.

The Vedas (ancient religious texts from India) say that the gods created cannabis on the peak of Mount Mandara, and that Shiva brought the sacred plant down to Earth for all of mankind to enjoy. The Atharva Veda also lists cannabis as one of five essential plants, while other Vedic scriptures go so far as to suggest that our interaction with sacred plants is responsible for mankind’s spiritual evolution. Cannabis is also said to be the favourite food of Shiva, one of Hinduism’s principal deities.

The fact that cannabis has very pronounced relaxing effects also suggests that the plant may come in handy when it comes to enhancing our yoga experience.

Dee Dussault, founder of Ganja Yoga in San Francisco, for example, argues that cannabis can help her students “quiet their ego” and get out of their heads: “It puts us more into the sensation of being embodied. Pain relief is part of that, too”.

However, the general Ayurvedic perspective on cannabis might come as a bit of a surprise. Many experienced yogis and spiritual teachers warn that cannabis use is all about balance.

The Yoga and Weed Debate

While Ayurveda definitely recognises cannabis for its holistic properties, it also outlines some limits regarding its use. In her article on the Ayurvedic stance on marijuana, doctor and highly revered spiritual teacher Alakananda Ma writes:

“Ganja could potentially be of value on the spiritual path, although this author has rarely met a ganja-smoking sadhu who had attained the ultimate goal. Taken out of its cultural context and introduced into a party lifestyle unheard-of in ancient tradition, ganja has become far more problematic”.

  • Where Is the Cannabis Yoga Movement Most Popular?

The cannabis yoga movement currently making headlines is the brainchild of Dee Dussault. Dee was the first yoga teacher to publicly promote the use of cannabis in yoga practice and to offer cannabis-enhanced yoga classes. She is also the author of the best-selling book about Ganja Yoga.

Over the past decade, Dee has taught Ganja Yoga to thousands of students in the US, and internationally in Canada and Jamaica. She’s also trained people in the Ganja Yoga Teacher Training Program from as far off as Hong Kong and Australia.

Today, Dussault’s movement is mainly concentrated in areas where cannabis is legal or decriminalised. Popular cannabis yoga studios, like Ganja Yoga itself or Marijuasana, are located in California and Colorado (respectively). Canada is also home to a few cannabis-friendly yoga studios, including Ganja Yoga Toronto and Yoga Lounge Montreal.

The Yoga and Weed Debate

There’s a growing community of yoga teachers and practitioners who swear by weed’s ability to enhance the yoga experience. However, there’s also a large group of yogis and spiritual teachers who warn that cannabis may negatively affect us during our yoga practice.

Those in favour of weed and yoga usually point to cannabis’ relaxing, tension-reducing effects as some of the main reasons the plant could, and should, be combined with yoga. Many also use historical texts (such as the Vedas mentioned above) as evidence to support their case.

Critics of cannabis yoga, on the other hand, argue that while cannabis has been used to still the mind in some spiritual settings, it’s no one-way ticket to enlightenment or enhanced spirituality.

Dr John Douillard, Ayurveda teacher, doctor, and founder of the LifeSpa explains that cannabis is considered a tamasic substance in Ayurveda. According to Hindu philosophy, tamasic substances induce inertia, inactivity, dullness, or lethargy, and are used to suppress pain and emotions.

Dr Douillard also suggests that regularly using tamasic substances in a present (or rajasic) state may affect our tamasic state when meditating or practising yoga. Meanwhile, other practitioners suggest that cannabis may negatively affect the vata dosha[1].

What Is Ganja Yoga?

In Ayurveda, the five elements that make up the world (space, water, earth, fire, and air) manifest in three doshas in the body (known as vata, kapha, and pitta). Every person is believed to have a unique ratio of each dosha present in their body, which makes up their Ayurvedic constitution. Ayurvedic practitioners work with patients to identify their dosha, and some argue that cannabis may interfere with the vata dosha, arguing that it is drying to the body and damaging to the lungs.

When analysing the debate about whether or not to combine yoga and marijuana, it is important to remember that no Ayurvedic practitioner will be completely against the use of cannabis. As we saw earlier, cannabis is very central to Indian spirituality and medicine. However, they may also prescribe caution when relying on it heavily as a spiritual tool.

  • Yoga Classes and Responsible Practice

Besides the Ayurvedic debate, there’s a pretty important ethical discussion regarding stoned yoga that we need to take into consideration as well.

Yoga instructors offering cannabis yoga and spirituality classes take on a huge responsibility for the well-being and care of their students (whether legally or not). Cannabis affects people very differently, and there are countless strains out there, all with their own unique chemical profiles.

A strain that one person might find relaxing and the perfect precursor to a yoga session might leave somebody else feeling paranoid, “heady”, or even dizzy.

Dosing is also key: a dose that might be relaxing and uplifting for one person might be too weak or too strong for another. Since we’re still in the early days of legalization, there’s a lot we don’t know about optimising our experience with cannabis, meaning it can be tricky to administer, especially to a group of people.

The reality is that no cannabis yoga teacher can predict how their students will react to the cannabis they hand out.

Moreover, teachers must take into consideration that some of their students may be on medications or supplements, and how those might impact their reaction to cannabis and their practice.

Ideally, a cannabis yoga teacher should be an expert in cannabis, and prepared to work with each of their students on a very personal level in order to see what kind of strain is right for them, and at what dose.

What Are the Possible Benefits of Doing Yoga While High?

Some possible benefits of doing yoga while high include:

Enhanced concentration

Many people find small doses of cannabis to enhance their concentration and focus during yoga, without a truly intoxicating high.

Relaxation

The relaxing and soothing sensation of THC and CBD may help some people let go, enjoy better control of their breathing, and connect with their inner self and body.

Heightened senses

THC, CBD, and other compounds in cannabis may enhance our senses, which could intensify the yoga practice, and may also make the entire experience more enjoyable.

Reduced inhibition

It is not unusual for people to feel nervous before or during a yoga session, especially if it’s their first time. Cannabis might offer a natural way to lose that inhibition.

Potential Negatives of Ganja Yoga

As mentioned earlier, cannabis affects people very differently. Some possible negative effects of combining yoga and cannabis include:

Impaired coordination

Some find it harder to coordinate their movements properly under the influence of cannabis, making it harder for them to properly execute certain yoga poses or stretches.

Low blood pressure

Cannabis has very complex effects on our blood pressure, raising it in some circumstances and lowering it in others. It is very common, for example, for people to experience low blood pressure when they suddenly move from a sitting or lying position to a standing one.

Impaired concentration

While microdoses of cannabis might help some people concentrate, larger doses might do exactly the opposite. Hence, some people find it hard to get “in the zone” if they smoke too much before a stoned yoga session.

Uneasiness

Medium to large doses of THC can cause distressing effects in some people, affecting their ability to get out of their head, focus, and enjoy what they’re doing.

How To Combine Cannabis and Yoga

There are some things you can do to enhance the process of combining weed and yoga, whether you're a yoga student or teacher.

  • Experiment With Cannabis Outside of the Yoga Studio First

If you’re new to cannabis or haven’t smoked it in some time, we recommend trying it on its own first. Give yourself at least 2–3 sessions to really get a feel for how marijuana affects you. Keeping a journal can be very effective in helping you understand how your body responds to cannabis.

Note: There are many different varieties of cannabis out there, and different strains can produce notably different effects.

  • Start Slow

Once you’re ready to bring weed into your yoga studio, make sure you do so slowly. Start with a small dose (like a single hit from a vape pen) and gradually work your way into your routine. If you notice some negative effects, stay calm and take a break, have a glass of water, or step outside for some fresh air.

When combining cannabis and yoga, you shouldn’t be aiming to get stoned out of your mind. Instead, you should be pursuing a subtle, uplifting buzz that’s just enough to help you relax, focus on your breathing, and get the best out of your routine.

  • Work With a Ganja Yoga Teacher

If you’re serious about using cannabis to enhance your spiritual journey, find someone in your local area who specialises in cannabis yoga and work with them.

  • Stick to Vaporizers or Edibles

Vaping is easily our favourite method of consuming cannabis when practising yoga, as it is much easier on the lungs and tends to produce clearer, more uplifting effects. Edibles are another great option, but keep in mind they can take up to 60 minutes to take effect, and that their effects might last much longer than your yoga session! However, the steady physical effects produced by cannabis edibles can pair very well with yoga sessions (when dosed properly).

  • Make Sure You’re Fed and Well-Hydrated

Keep a sugary snack at the ready when doing yoga while high. Small, bite-sized pieces of fruit or gummy bears are easy-to-digest and can help you keep up your strength during your session, as well as avoid blood sugar drops.

It goes without saying that you should always keep a bottle of water handy during your yoga session, regardless of whether or not you’ll be using cannabis.

Make Sure You’re Fed and Well-Hydrated

  • Go Easy on Yourself

Make sure to take it easier than normal during your practice. As mentioned, while cannabis might help you relax and get out of your head, it can also affect your judgment and coordination, making it harder to properly execute different poses and stretches.

  • Find the Right THC:CBD Balance

Again, your goal shouldn’t be to get super stoned during your yoga session. Instead, you should be looking to enhance your senses and feel more relaxed. Finding a strain with a balanced CBD:THC ratio may be perfect for that, as CBD is non-psychotropic and may help to offset some of THC’s side effects.

Find the Right Strain: RQS Strains Perfect for Cannabis Yoga

Different strains of cannabis can produce vastly different effects. If you’re looking for some great strains to elevate your yoga experience, check out these varieties from our catalogue:

  • Critical Kush

One of our best-selling strains, Critical Kush is indica dominant and boasts a strong terpene profile and long-lasting physical effects. This strain may be perfect for helping you unwind prior to your yoga session, especially after a long day at the office. Just remember that this strain is very strong, so you’ll want to stick to small doses to avoid an overwhelming physical stone.

Critical Kush

Critical Kush
23_genetic background_1 Critical x OG Kush
33_Yield indoors_1 500 - 550 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 60 - 100 cm
25_flowering time_1 8 - 10 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 20%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 20% Indica 80%
34_yield outdoor_1 500 - 550 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 100 - 140 cm
27_harvest period_1 Late September
22_Effect_1 Long Lasting , Physically Relaxing, Powerful

Buy Critical Kush

  • Northern Light Automatic

This is easily one of our best autos for the job. Northern Light Automatic boasts a clear-headed, uplifting effect that many people find increases their concentration. Best of all, our Northern Light Auto boasts a moderate THC concentration of 14%, making it easier to dose.

Northern Light Automatic

Northern Light Auto
23_genetic background_1 Northern Light x Ruderalis
33_Yield indoors_1 500 - 550 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 80 - 120 cm
25_flowering time_1 6 - 8 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 14%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 0% Indica 80% Ruderalis 20%
34_yield outdoor_1 170 - 220 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 130 - 160 cm
27_harvest period_1 10 - 12 weeks after sprouting
22_Effect_1 Clear, Uplifting

Buy Northern Light Auto

  • Medical Mass

As the name suggests, Medical Mass is loved for its physically relaxing and mentally soothing effects. Thanks to its 1:1 THC:CBD ratio, this strain boasts the perfect balance of both cannabinoids, making for an extremely pleasant experience without that overwhelming high of more potent THC strains.

Medical Mass

Medical Mass
23_genetic background_1 Critical Mass x CBD dominant plant
33_Yield indoors_1 500 - 550 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 60 - 100 cm
25_flowering time_1 10 - 11 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 10%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 40% Indica 60%
34_yield outdoor_1 500 - 550 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 120 - 150 cm
27_harvest period_1 Late September
22_Effect_1 Calming, Physically Relaxing

Buy Medical Mass

  • Joanne’s CBD

This is one of our favourite CBD strains. With 15% CBD and only trace amounts of THC, Joanne’s CBD produces a non-psychotropic effect that stills the mind and encourages focus. This strain is perfect for those looking to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the high.

Joanne’s CBD

Joanne's CBD
23_genetic background_1 Session x Juanita la Lagrimosa
33_Yield indoors_1 500 - 550 gr/m2
31_plant height outdoor_1 80 - 120 cm
25_flowering time_1 7 - 8 weeks
29_THC_1 THC: 0,25 - 0,75%
28_Type Blend_1 Sativa 75% Indica 25%
34_yield outdoor_1 425 - 475 gr/plant
32_plant height outdoors_1 140 - 180 cm
27_harvest period_1 Early October
22_Effect_1 Clear, Light

Buy Joanne's CBD

For more cannabis strains ideal for enhancing your yoga practice, check out this article on the best strains for meditation.

External Resources:
  1. What Are the Ayurveda Doshas? Vata, Kapha, and Pitta Explained https://www.healthline.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

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Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: