{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/ganja-yoga/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2325-markdown","title":"Cannabis, Yoga & Relaxation: An Interview with Dee Dussault","slug":"cannabis-yoga-and-relaxation-an-interview-with-dee-dussault","content":"HelloMD interviewed Dee Dussault, the founder of Ganja Yoga, to learn more about her cannabis enhanced yoga classes, as well as her new book, also entitled ‘Ganja Yoga’. Helping people find bliss through relaxation, mindfulness, and sensuality, she has practiced yoga for twenty-two years. Now with the help of cannabis, Dee teaches private and public classes in San Fransisco that combine meditative yoga appropriate for every age and all levels.\n\nDee will be teaching at [HelloMD’s Mindful Haven](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hellomd-mindful-haven-an-afternoon-of-yoga-sound-bathing-cannabis-tickets-35982261914) event  on Sunday July 30, 2017 which will feature cannabis, yoga, and an immersive sound bath.\n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/597798584ce06012ff1d1641/embedded_images/59779da24ce06013ad1d1655/Screen_Shot_2017-07-25_at_12.35.13_PM.png) \n\n[PURCHASE TICKETS TO MINDFUL HAVEN & GANJA YOGA](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hellomd-mindful-haven-an-afternoon-of-yoga-sound-bathing-cannabis-tickets-35982261914)\n\n### Q: What’s Ganja Yoga?\n\nA: Ganja Yoga yoga enhanced with cannabis. In my permutation of it, it is yoga specifically designed to help people relax.\n\n### Q: Were you the first person to offer Ganja Yoga?\n\nA: Yes! I googled cannabis yoga in 2009 and I didn’t see any other listings online. Interestingly, I later found that Berkeley Patients Group had offered yoga classes at their dispensary, but you had to consume before coming to the class. That was in the nineties, so technically there was one class before me. I think a key differentiator is that the class was not getting high together as a social process before yoga. My Ganja Yoga class was the first to really offer this kind of experience and open it to the public, instead of just dispensary members. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/597798584ce06012ff1d1641/embedded_images/5977985b4ce06012ff1d1642/Screen_Shot_2017-07-25_at_11.58.47_AM.png)\nDee helping one of her students, courtesy @Ganjayoga \n\n### Q: What inspired you to start teaching Ganja Yoga?\n\nA: It was based on my personal experience. When it came to cannabis, I was a late bloomer. Not until my late twenties did I discover it because I felt that it made me really anxious and paranoid. Avoiding it all through college, I tried it again in my late twenties, and immediately I found that I just wanted to get on the floor and start stretching. My yoga practice had been active for about twelve years and I suddenly found that cannabis just naturally enhanced my experience. It made me want to explore poses in new ways and I found a new sense of curiosity and fascination. I believe cannabis and yoga go together like chocolate and peanut butter!\n\n### Q: What's a typical experience within your class?\n\nThe first half an hour is what I might call a ‘stoner social’. Classes have joints, vape pens, or edibles and the first half an hour of class is about consuming with the community.  You are free to come as you wish and socialize with your fellow ganja yogis. Then there is a ninety minute practice that is focused on relaxation. Some yoga that is popular nowadays is about cultivating fitness or getting a “yoga body”, but this is really for all levels, anyone can do it. This type of yoga goes back to basics and uses cannabis to help you move more deeply into basic postures.\n\n[PURCHASE TICKETS TO MINDFUL HAVEN & GANJA YOGA](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hellomd-mindful-haven-an-afternoon-of-yoga-sound-bathing-cannabis-tickets-35982261914) \n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/597798584ce06012ff1d1641/embedded_images/5977985d4ce06012ff1d1643/Screen_Shot_2017-07-25_at_12.00.54_PM.png)\nDee on her book tour, courtesy @Ganjayoga \n\n### Q: Why did you write your book Ganja Yoga?\n\nA: I’d been thinking about writing a book for a while, but it was one of those things that I had always put on the back-burner. The publisher, Harper Collins, actually approached me, which was such a blessing. They had decided it was time for a book about cannabis and wellness and they thought of me, so that was really cool. We worked together and wrote it faster than most books are written because we wanted to have it released for 4/20 this year.\n\nIn the book, I tell people about my journey, so that people who have trepidations about the plant understand there are many ways to work through the anxiety. It may be about changing the strain you consume or changing the dose or looking at how you feel. It is also about the history of cannabis and yoga. Cannabis was used throughout Asia and India and many other parts of the world for spiritual and medicinal purposes, so the practice is not new per-say, but what is new is having it in this modern context that includes socializing. People have been using cannabis for religious and spiritual reasons for thousands of years.\n\n### Q: What are common misconceptions about GY? \n\nWhen I tell people I teach Ganja Yoga or cannabis infused yoga their response is usually, “Oh my gosh, that sounds like the perfect pairing!” Equally so, the other response I get is “Oh, is that safe?”. So, people have this idea that cannabis makes you immediately intoxicated and unable to do yoga. \n\nRELATED: [THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOGA AND CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a5e5b8d8425e40008273a29/the-connection-between-yoga-and-cannabis)\n\nI would like to rewrite the script of cannabis consumption to show that it is not always used to get super messed up. It can be used that way and that can be fun and there is nothing wrong with that, but there is also the idea of a sophisticated or more mature cannabis use where you are micro or moderate dosing and you are not getting very intoxicated before the practice. \n\nReally,  it’s is about rewriting the stoner stereotype. When people ask if Ganja Yoga is safe, to me it is more about if yoga is safe? If your yoga practice is slow moving and focused on proper alignment, then it is going to be safe. If you are doing a crazy vinyasa drill sergeant type practice then it might not be safe, so it is about rewriting both scripts, the yoga script and the stoner script. \n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/597798584ce06012ff1d1641/embedded_images/5977985f4ce06012ff1d1644/Screen_Shot_2017-07-25_at_12.03.19_PM.png)\nA Ganja Yoga student, courtesy @Ganjayoga \n\n### Q: Besides Ganja Yoga, what else do you do?\n\nA: I am also a sexuality coach, which could be cannabis enhanced or not, it is up to the clients. I help singles and couples deepen intimacy and find ways to make time for a more mindful and sensual engagement in the world. Sensual as opposed to sexual, but of course they’re on a spectrum, so when you are more sensually engaged your sex life will be more rewarding as well. I help people slow down and connect with their partner in new ways.\n\n### Q: Where can people find your book?\n\nA: You can purchase it by going to [theganjayogabook.com](https://www.theganjayoga.com/), which displays all of the retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I will also be going to book stores to do readings and teach yoga classes during a nationwide book tour. \n\n[PURCHASE TICKETS TO MINDFUL HAVEN & GANJA YOGA](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hellomd-mindful-haven-an-afternoon-of-/asound-bathing-cannabis-tickets-35982261914)\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/14b42/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/f836f/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.jpg 200w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/2244e/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.jpg 400w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/14b42/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.jpg 800w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/47498/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/54ac5/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/58556/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/61e93/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.webp 200w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/1f5c5/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.webp 400w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/58556/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.webp 800w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/99238/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.webp 1200w,\n/static/800631ca57fcdfb4e15a3d21cb4c5a57/5e0b8/cef14197450e66b21e8449f25bfccd6c.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2399-markdown","title":"The Connection Between Yoga & Cannabis","slug":"the-connection-between-yoga-and-cannabis","content":"### A Historic Connection\n\nCannabis has been sacred within Buddhist cultures in India for thousands of years where it has been used as a spiritual and meditative aid. Yoga originated in India, during approximately the same time frame when cannabis appeared. Both yoga and cannabis have been closely tied to meditative processes in India for thousands of years and rose to popularity simultaneously in the United States in the 60s and the 70s. \n\nThe original connection between cannabis and yoga is not exactly known, but different historians have tied the two together in different events, ceremonies, and religious significances. It is believed that the Lord Shiva, the destroyer and creator god in Hinduism, who also happens to be the god of yoga, was rejuvenated from injury after consuming cannabis. Some people believe that this religious connection is what incorporated cannabis into yoga practice in the first place. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nCannabis was also present when many of the modern yoga positions were created. Many of the yoga positions we know of today were created in the 7th century by tantric cultures, who practiced a combination of Shaviaite Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. Many of these religious cultures used cannabis regularly as part of their practice while they developed many of the aspects of modern Hatha Yoga. \n\nThe Yoga Sutras, which were compiled in 400 CE, outline the 196 main principles of yoga. The Sutras mention the use of “herbs” to help with subtler attainments. It has been argued by some people that herbs means cannabis, while others refute that fact. Many Sadhu’s today, however, use cannabis for spiritual purposes. These Sadhu’s, or Hindu holy men, believe that cannabis allows them to liberate themselves from perceived existential limits. They use cannabis in all aspects of their prayer, including during yoga. \n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/58a38cc01689ad0017e8493b/embedded_images/58a38cc41689ad0017e8493c/Screen_Shot_2017-02-14_at_2.49.37_PM.png)\nCannabis can help you relax and go deeper into your yoga practice.\n \n### Modern Day Cannabis Use\n\nThe idea of cannabis infused yoga was first brought to the United States in 2012. [Dee Dussault], a yoga teacher in San Francisco, opened the [Ganga Yoga](https://www.deedussault.com/) Practice in San Fransisco to provide her clients with a safe space to combine cannabis and their yoga practice. Though cannabis is optional in the classes, it is highly recommended, and the classes are currently only open to patients who have a registered California Medical Marijuana card. \n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS FOR INCREASED PASSION & PLAY PART 1](https://hellomd.com/health-wellness/5887f2c9d88c9d000847c1d0/cannabis-for-increased-passion-and-play-part-1)\n\nCannabis can be used to deepen your yoga practice, whether it is in a cannabis-friendly studio or in the comfort of your own home. Cannabis can help increase your focus and mindfulness during yoga. Sometimes people find it hard to rid themselves of their daily stresses while settling into their yoga practice, but cannabis can help focus the mind and free it from frivolous thoughts. Yoga is all about finding your center within yourself and cannabis can help you achieve that goal. Cannabis helps you to de-stress and prepare yourself to enter a more mediative state. \n\n###  Finding the Right Cannabis Product\n\nAs with all physical activity, it is important to dose cannabis in a way that allows you to still very aware of your body and physical space. First, choose a method of administration that you enjoy and one that helps to relax you. If you prefer to smoke or vaporize, consume a small amount of cannabis. Non-psychoactive high CBD strains such as [ACDC](https://www.hellomd.com/marijuana-strains/acdc) or Electra Tsu are a great choice because they can provide you with a high that allows you to stay relaxed, but alert. \n\nSmall, low dose edibles are also a great choice for your yoga practice. Edibles, when taken in small doses, can provide a good, full body high. Edibles, however, it can be difficult to dose properly since many are packaged in large containers. It is always recommended to go low and slow until you understand your own tolerance level.\n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/58a38cc01689ad0017e8493b/embedded_images/58a38cc51689ad0017e8493d/Screen_Shot_2017-02-14_at_2.53.51_PM.png) \nSatori is a HelloMD favorite for cannabis micro dosing.\n\n[Satori bite-sized edibles](https://hellomd.com/brands/5859abb6d50c6c001176da5b) are a great choice for a pre-yoga treat that can bring you into a relaxed, but aware state for your yoga practice. Satori’s bite-sized edible products, which have been referred to as the “sativa of edibles” by our staff, come in 1mg, 3mg, and 10mg doses of THC in delicious chocolate covered treats. \n\nOur HelloMD recommendation for your yoga practice is Satori’s Wild Strawberry bites in Organic Milk chocolate. Each bite has 3mg of THC and is full of simple, wholesome ingredients.  Cofounder of HelloMD Pamela Hadfield, [regularly micro doses low dose edibles](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58797273eb7401000b5ac214/microdosing-cannabis-satori-chocolate-edibles-review) before her yoga practice and says, “It makes me more aware of my breath, my internal rhythm and allows me to go deeper into the poses.” Whatever cannabis product you select the goal is to help you bring your yoga practice beyond where it has ever been before.\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/14b42/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/f836f/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.jpg 200w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/2244e/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.jpg 400w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/14b42/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.jpg 800w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/47498/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/54ac5/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/58556/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/61e93/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.webp 200w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/1f5c5/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.webp 400w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/58556/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.webp 800w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/99238/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.webp 1200w,\n/static/6a81ccfdec634f68daeee9a4cab10db6/5e0b8/f122b3aa1120f4998d7db10ccfd053b1.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5271,"name":"Ganja Yoga","slug":"ganja-yoga","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}