The Connection of Cannabis + Yoga

The Connection of Cannabis + Yoga

The fusion of cannabis and yoga may appear unconventional, yet their histories are intricately interwoven, dating back thousands of years. Despite the controversies and misconceptions surrounding cannabis, it has played a significant role in the yoga tradition.

In ancient India, cannabis held a revered status, finding application in various spiritual and medicinal contexts. The Atharva Veda, an ancient Hindu scripture dating between 1500 and 1200 BCE, designates cannabis as one of the five sacred plants, utilized in religious rituals to facilitate a connection with the divine.

The integration of cannabis into yoga can be traced to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a Hindu text from around 400 CE. Patanjali discusses the use of "yoga herbs," including cannabis, to elevate the yoga practice, aiming for a profound meditative and spiritual experience.

As time progressed, the incorporation of cannabis into yoga became more widespread, particularly within the Hatha tradition. This tradition emphasized diverse techniques, including yoga and meditation, for spiritual enlightenment.

In the 20th century, the popularity of cannabis surged in Western culture, aligning with the ascent of modern yoga introduced to the West by figures like Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda. 

The 1960s and 1970s witnessed the association of cannabis and yoga with the counterculture movement, where individuals sought to augment their yoga practice and deepen spiritual experiences.

Controversy persists today regarding the use of cannabis in yoga, with debates over whether it distracts from yoga's true purpose or serves as a natural enhancement.

Nevertheless, the historical entwining of cannabis and yoga spans millennia. Yogis have turned to cannabis for spiritual deepening and divine connection.

Whether one opts to incorporate cannabis into their yoga practice or not, the enduring history of these ancient practices underscores humanity's persistent desire to connect with the universe.