Guide ·May 21, 2019

5 Benefits of CBD Oil For Your Yoga, Recovery & Wellbeing

So We Flow... Yoga and CBD Oil Benefits Graphic

Yoga and cannabis have been intimately intertwined for thousands of years. Even the Godfather of modern yoga, Patanjali, endorsed 'certain herbs' as an aid on the path to enlightenment. Many historians believe he was referencing the cannabis plant - down to its revered position and persistent usage in ancient India. With so many yoga fads around nowadays - goat, naked and beer yoga to name a few - it's easy to throw this in the same pot. But we aren't talking about getting stoned before, during or after class - what we are talking about is the increasingly commonplace cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, CBD.

But before we dive in, let's briefly answer a couple of introductory questions about CBD and it's effects for those that don't know...

So We Flow... Honest Yoga Mat with Raised Spirit CBD Coconut Oil

What is CBD and how does it work?

CBD is a non-intoxicating compound most prevalent in hemp. It's a cannabinoid which, unlike its groovy amigo THC, is not psychoactive. The human body is widely populated with cannabinoid receptors, which play a crucial role in regulating our physiology, mood and everyday experience. CBD works, amongst other ways, by interacting with these.

What's the best way to take CBD oil?

We personally love our CBD combined with coconut oil, which is why we are pals with Raised Spirit - they hook us up!

Coconut oil is high in essential fatty acids, which act as a binding agent for the CBD, allowing for superior nutrient and cannabinoid absorption. Anyone who has ever followed Mary Jane's brownie recipe knows that fat is the key to prosperity.

There are other CBD oil products (and brands!) available, such as liquid drops, edibles (our local Mysore studio does CBD brownies!) and capsules for vapes.

Now we've given you a little wisdom, here's the juicy stuff. 5 ways in which using CBD oil can benefit your yoga practice, recovery and general wellbeing. Read on...

5 Benefits of CBD Oil For Your Yoga, Recovery and Wellbeing

1. CBD decreases inflammation

There's a solid chunk of research that suggests CBD has a profound effect on reducing inflammation. Inflammation isn't just pain (see 4), but is a key part of the immune system's response to injury and infection - signalling to heal damaged tissues and defend against foreign invaders. Due to poor diet, lack of exercise and other lifestyle factors, many of us are in a constant state of low-level inflammation. This has been know to play a role in all manner of diseases from cancer to heart disease. If that's not reason enough, less inflammation means a more energetic, flexible and stronger body.

2. CBD stills a busy mind

There have been numerous positive studies that show CBD can reduce the symptoms of anxiety - feelings of unease, worry and fear - that may make you feel like there's a thousand thoughts running through your head. The exact means by which CBD acts on this is not totally understood, but time and time again these effects are acknowledged by the scientific community and beyond. A calm and clear mind will allow you a deeper and more connected practice, free from the distractions of the outside world. Combine that with our Rock & Roll On - Unwind and your set for ultimate chilled yoga practice.

3. CBD enhances your mood

CBD is thought to enhance pleasure centres in the brain by stimulating the release of hormones that are responsible for inducing feelings of calm, lowering stress, and eliminating underlying anxiety. CBD also interacts with receptors in the hippocampus - our emotional control centre - to prompt positive emotions and the necessary chemicals to provide us with therapeutic good vibes all round.

4. CBD can help relieve pain

CBD oil has proven effective in quelling pain, with many studies supporting this. The exact mechanism is not certain, however it is believed that CBD interacts with neural pathways, improving your pain management system. Pain and inflammation are reduced in a two-pronged bounty. A study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine concluded that there is considerable evidence that using CBD can reduce pain and inflammation.

Furthermore, you don't build up a tolerance to CBD, forgoing the need to increase your dose continually.

5. CBD helps you sleep - which helps you recover

As a consequence of all the above, CBD can ultimately help you get a better nights kip. This is absolutely essential for recovery, particularly for those who are active. Just one week of poor sleep is enough to mess up the systems which handle immunity, inflammation, stress and general wellbeing. That can effect your yoga practice in endless ways - poor focus, fatigue, lack of motivation, lack of strength and being more susceptible to injuries. The clincher is that many of the ramifications of sleep deprivation are things that CBD alleviates!

So that's that. The proclaimed benefits of using CBD, especially for those who are active, are hard to ignore. Our founder, Jake, has personally found many of the pangs and ailments associated with his yoga and calisthenics practice - namely a dodgy knee and tendonitis across the board - have been not only soothed, but rejuvenated. Stay safe!

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