Yoga’s combination of exercise and mindfulness makes it a killer stress reliever. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years as a way to relax the mind and keep the body fit. In fact, clinical studies have shown practicing yoga for as little as 1–2 sessions a week can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reduce symptoms of depression. Whether you call it ganja yoga, cannabis yoga, or CBD yoga, more and more yoga teachers are training their students on the proper use and health benefits of taking CBD oil before and after a yoga workout. Unlike THC-rich cannabis, CBD oil will not get you high. Taking 15–25 milligrams of CBD oil as a tincture or drinking it 10 minutes before yoga can help relieve any anxiety you have, making it easier to get out of your head and de-stress in your session. Phytocannabinoids in CBD oil can help ease muscle tension and stiffness, increasing your flexibility and helping you hold yoga poses longer. Terpenes in CBD oil like pinene may help open up airways, allowing you to breathe in more deeply, oxygenating your muscles and exhaling all your stress.
After a vigorous yoga session, apply CBD oil lotions and creams to your neck, back, legs, or arms to relieve muscle pain, inflammation, and soreness. With less pain, yoga will be more pleasurable, and you won’t have to wait to recover before your next workout. By combining CBD oil as a tincture before yoga and as a topical after yoga, you’ll be able to accelerate your emotional and physical healing.