What is Yoga Nidra?
Yoga nidra, otherwise known as yogic sleep, is a deep relaxation technique done in a guided meditation style to deeply relax, but with an alert consciousness. It is used for centuries-old practices geared toward physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
One lies comfortably in a supine position, then gets to be guided through visualizations and body scans into a state of full relaxation, at which point one is not as much asleep as awake, but more so in deep mediation.
The Benefits of Marijuana in Yoga Nidra
The herb of marijuana was used centuries ago as a holistic cure for many different diseases, but it is largely considered nowadays as providing assistance during meditation and yoga.
Used in conjunction with yoga nidra, marijuana can deepen relaxation and create more peace and serenity from within. The active compounds of marijuana, cannabinoids, act upon the human body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls mood, sleep, and stress levels.
By incorporating marijuana into your yoga nidra practice, you can:
- Achieve deeper depths of relaxation
- Heighten visualization and imagery
- Increased body awareness
- Decreased stress and anxiety
- Improved sleep
How to Add Marijuana to Your Yoga Nidra Practice
If you are looking at the potential benefits that marijuana can add to your yoga nidra, there are a couple of different ways to go about it:
- Smoking or vaping: You can smoke or vape marijuana to get most of your relaxation and stress-relieving properties for a yoga nidra session. However, start low in dosage and give yourself a good time to begin the practice.
- Edibles: Having marijuana edibles before your yoga nidra practice will help you feel it more durably. Just be sure to start with a low dosage and give yourself plenty of time for the effects to kick in.
- Topicals: Apply a marijuana-infused topical to your skin before your yoga nidra practice. This helps to promote relaxation in the body and reduce tension.
A fact to always remember: Marijuana can affect each person in a very individual way. So, when taking it, always begin with a low dose and progress gradually. If you are using any medications or have other health concerns, it may be best to consult a healthcare professional before combining marijuana with your Yoga Nidra practice.
The Science Behind Marijuana and Relaxation
The effects of marijuana on the body and mind are varied. Majority of them are in support of relaxation and stress relief. The active compounds in marijuana are called cannabinoids, and all these interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system that regulates mood, sleep, and stress levels in a human being.
One principal cannabinoid in marijuana is THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol. THC produces the psychoactive effects of marijuana and provides evidence that it also creates other medicinal benefits by causing a reduction in anxiety, thus able to promote relaxation.
Another important cannabinoid found in marijuana is CBD, or cannabidiol. This is by nature non-psychoactive, meaning this does not produce a high. The uses for this, however, are all over the board, including reducing inflammation and causing relaxation.
In tandem, marijuana with yoga nidra can affect relaxation, which brings many deeper levels of relaxation and consequently more overall benefits.
How to Have a Successful Marijuana-Enhanced Yoga Nidra Practice
If you are just starting to feel the effects of marijuana during your yoga nidra practice, then here are some tips to get you through it:
- Start low and go slow: It’s important to have a low dose of marijuana to begin with and increase gradually in dosage as required. This might help an individual avoid any undue physical stress and make the experience quite pleasurable.
- Choosing the Proper Strain: Alike marijuana, different marijuana strains can influence differently in the body and mind. Some are more relaxing, while others invigorate. One should opt for that strain only which serves one’s goal associated with their yoga nidra practice.
- Make Yourself Comfortable: Select a peaceful and comfortable venue to practice without disturbance. Use props, which include blankets and pillows, to give your body comfort and a feeling of being nurtured and relaxed.
- Set an intention: Before you begin your practice, just take a few moments to set an intention for your session. This may be as simple as “I intend to relax and let go” or “I intend to connect with my inner wisdom.”
- Be gentle and kind to your self: Each yoga nidra session will feel different. So, when your mind wanders or when you find difficulty relaxing, just notice the thoughts and feelings, and gently bring back the attention into your practice.
Conclusion
Infusing marijuana into your yoga nidra practice can be just that: a strong means of deepening relaxation and allowing for further reaches into the self toward more complete instance of self-discovery and peace. By starting with a low dose and simply listening to your body, you can safely and effectively explore the benefits of this ancient practice combined with the power of marijuana.
