Blending CBD with Yoga for the Mind, Body & Soul

Are you one of over 300 million people around the world who practices yoga on a regular basis? Yoga is a spiritual practice that originated in India 5,000 years ago and is enjoyed by approximately 16 million Americans every single month. The market is growing, with participation soaring 29 percent between the years 2008 and 2012. 

It’s not just the yoga market that’s growing but also the CBD (cannabidiol) market. A naturally-occurring derivative of both cannabis and hemp plants, CBD is not a mind-altering ingredient, unlike its intoxicating cousin THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Rather, its soothingly therapeutic effects are benefiting the lives of millions of Americans. 

A growing number of people are using CBD, with the market value estimated to reach by $3,860 million by 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.5 percent. From relieving anxiety, depression, and pain, to promoting muscle recovery and overall health/wellness, this cannabinoid is a force to be reckoned with. 

Combined, CBD and yoga could help you to amplify your abilities when practicing this spiritual discipline. The results? A clearer mind, leaner body and deeper connection between the two. So, if you’re ready to enter a stress-free zone, read on.

Why use CBD to enhance sessions on the yoga mat?

The non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD could be considered a yoga supplement, if you will. Yoga helps to restore balance, increase flexibility and strengthen the immune system, quite like CBD does! Through stimulating various parts of the body, its organs, and the all-important energy zones we call ‘chakras’, yoga can dramatically improve an individual’s health and quality of life.

Combined with CBD, which targets receptors inside the endocannabinoid system (ECS), yoga can bolster the body’s physiological processes. Once consumed – such as by vaping a broad spectrum CBD oil or consuming a cannabis-infused edible – cannabinoid receptors inside the nervous system, digestive system and brain become activated by CBD.

Once triggered by CBD, any imbalances will soon be balanced once again. The desired goal is called homeostasis and it is the primary goal of the ECS. Also known as the ‘endogenous cannabinoid system’, the ECS plays an integral role in regulating the entire body’s neurotransmitters.

What are the benefits of using CBD for yoga?

Natural treatments are dominating the health/wellness market and the CBD craze seems to offer something for everyone. Tried-and-tested, the non-intoxicating cannabinoid has drawn plenty of interest from investors and consumers alike, all of whom are keen to capitalize on its stress-relieving effects. 

As a cannabinoid that is legal in many places, CBD is an appealing choice for Yogi’s who wish to introduce a doctor-approved ingredient into their workout routines. Using CBD before, after or even during your yoga session could help to relieve stress, ease pain and encourage deep meditation. 

What’s more, CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory, so you can rely on it to promote fast healing after perfecting those challenging yoga poses, stretches, and asanas, such as the Parivritta Trikonasana (reverse triangle), Supta Virasana (reclining hero) and Prasarita Padottanasana (wide stance forward bend.)

Choosing the Correct Dosage of CBD for Use with Yoga

Since everybody’s biochemistry, genetics, weight, and requirements are different, there really is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to dosing with CBD for yoga. Rather, it’s a case of less is more; start low, go slow. Using CBD on a daily basis is the best way to establish your goals prior to determining a dosage. 

The good news is that there’s never been an overdose from cannabis – a fact confirmed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). General guidelines depend on an individual’s symptom severity and weight. (A symptom may refer to an ache, pain or problem area that you want to focus on.) For example, you may be suffering from lower back pain that is making the ‘Downward Dog’ a struggle, or perhaps you can’t switch off your busy mind and want to use CBD to reach a meditative state! 

Beginners ought to start out with no more than 5-20 milligrams of CBD, whereas individuals who are highly symptomatic may want to opt for somewhere between 20 and 50 milligrams of CBD. Whatever your reasons for using CBD with yoga, always consult your doctor before introducing a new supplement into your workout routine.