In this conversation, we sit down with a teacher who weaves cannabis into the art of yoga, transforming it from a solitary ritual into a shared, intentional practice. She reflects on her first experience combining the plant with movement, how it reshaped her relationship to stillness, and the ways her classes honor both the history of yoga and the sacred use of cannabis. Through intention, breath, and education, she invites participants to experience the plant as a tool for awareness, healing, and deeper connection with the self.
I first tried the combination of cannabis and yoga during a Lit Yoga class in LA in 2016. I had practiced both yoga and used the plant for years but never in tandem. That class was a spiritually expansive moment for me—I walked away having discovered a new dimension to my practice. For years, I had focused on vinyasa yoga, which emphasizes building heat and strength in the body. Cannabis allowed me to tap into Yin energy for the first time, helping me experience my body in a new way.
After that, I started my own Sunday ritual in NYC, where I was living at the time. I would take a few hits and then attend a candle-lit Yin class. It became my favorite day of the week and introduced me to a new way of caring for my body through stillness. I found I could calm both my mind and body for the long, three-minute holds—something that had been challenging in my fast-paced life.
Over the next three years, I noticed how many others were also using cannabis before yoga class and began wondering—why are we all hiding this? I eventually started teaching a simple stretching class with friends in McCarren Park to foster community around this shared ritual. The more I learned about the intertwined history of yoga and cannabis, the more I felt compelled to develop my own intentional practice and share this sacred ritual. The class I teach now incorporates low doses of cannabis alongside education and history to help participants deepen their practice and personal connection with the plant.
The ritual begins the moment participants step into the space. Everyone is greeted with a personal joint, accompanied by mantras honoring Shiva—the Adi Yogi and Lord of Ganja (cannabis). Each session begins with a low-dose plant ritual where we take 1–3 inhales together, following the setting of a personal intention.
We then move into meditation to attune our bodies to the energy of the plant, followed by a sequence of asanas. This time of stillness before physical movement encourages participants to truly feel the plant’s effects—something that isn’t always possible in social or recreational settings. The style of movement varies depending on the class and participants, ranging from light vinyasa flows to deep Yin holds.
Throughout the session, I integrate teachings on the history of cannabis and yoga, as well as insights into the endocannabinoid system. My goal is for participants to leave with both a deeper appreciation for their bodies and a renewed respect for cannabis as a plant medicine—not just a recreational substance.
Cannabis enhances proprioception—the body’s ability to sense where it is in space—leading to greater body awareness. This heightened awareness allows participants to feel more and sink deeper into postures. Additionally, the plant is excellent for quieting the mind, promoting meditation through breath and movement.
My hope is that students leave class with a deeper appreciation for their bodies and a growing reverence for cannabis as a plant medicine that has been used for thousands of years. I want them to experience it as more than just a recreational substance and see it as a tool for personal growth and well-being.
I only partner with brands whose products I personally consume and I am very discerning about what I put into my body. VAYA’s flower is sun-grown, which I believe is the ideal way to cultivate the plant. The brand’s intentional approach aligns perfectly with my philosophy on cannabis rituals, making it a natural partnership.
This is an excellent question. I encourage anyone incorporating cannabis into their yoga or meditation practice to approach it differently than they would in recreational use. Create a ritual for yourself, starting with low doses. Cannabis is a powerful plant medicine, and you don’t need much to feel its effects.
To maintain a healthy relationship with the plant, it’s essential to understand the difference between ritual and habitual use. A habit lacks intention, while a ritual is purposeful. Whenever you use cannabis, take a moment to set an intention. This intention can be as profound as deepening your connection with your body or as simple as wanting to share laughter with friends. The key is knowing why you are using the plant.