Marijuana Demystified: Things We All Need to Know About Weed.

Marijuana Demystified: 11 Things We All Need to Know About Weed. 

Whenever I read a blog about cannabis, I feel like I am watching a presidential debate with only one candidate.

The blog will either demand to legalize the plant due to its magical properties, or will list the horrific impact it will have on society.

As always, the truth is neither here nor there. I never smoked weed in my youth; in fact, I judged those who did, which made them hide it from me. I got high for the first time when I was 35, and was immediately intrigued with the effect it had on my mind. So, I documented it in my journal.

Here is a simple breakdown of what I learned from a few years of occasional use of pot. I hope it will help demystify the ambiguity around the plant, especially amidst the increasing legalization we are experiencing (it is now recreationally legal in Colorado and Washington states).

The dark side 

1. It dries us up

Pot is a foreign substance; our bodies knows it and are trying to flush it down. The result, other than unbelievably long peeing, is dryness of the mouth, eyes and body. If you smoke—drinks tons of water. It will help to feel better the next day (like alcohol and hangover).

2. It impacts short term memory

Marijuana causes chemical lapses within the mind. This lack of synaptic continuity impacts short term memory. What this means is that when we go get something to eat we might wander around the kitchen for 10 minutes without knowing why we are there. We will also most likely have a hard time following a complicated movie or conversation… you get the point. Don’t worry—the effect is short lived. Short term memory will go back to normal once the effect subsides.

3. It can impact the ability to operate machinery

‘nuff said. And even if you disagree, ask yourself if it is worth the risk.

4. It can give us anxiety

On occasion, especially while consuming low-quality cannabis, we might freak out about something—it could be anything from a knock on the door, a scary scene in a movie or that the cat is about to attack. Just breathe deeply, remember that the feeling is exaggerated by being high, and focus of pleasant thoughts. Don’t smoke when already feeling anxious—it will make it worse.

5. It can be addictive

Like any substance which makes us feel good, some people may find Marijuana to be addictive. But then again, the same can be said of alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, medications and yes, processed sugar. They can be addictive because they are altering substances—they help us forget about something which pains us. For example, I started smoking because I hated my job. People who smoke, or smoked in the past, find pot easier to quit than cigarettes or even sugar.

My advice: if we find ourselves smoking a lot, be conscious of what emotions or sensations we are trying to dull out, and focus on eliminating their cause. The desire to smoke will drop as well, allowing us to enjoy it responsibly like an occasional drink.

6. Long, consistent use can lower motivation and cognitive abilities

I remember going on vacation and smoking every day for almost two weeks. The various effects I listed above had an immediate cumulative impact—the more I smoked, the more I wanted to, and the more alienated I felt from myself. I noticed a significant degradation in the sharpness of my brain, and my ability to remember facts.

Marijuana temporarily diminishes the ego, which, over time, dramatically impacts our sense of self-motivation. Again, the effect will go away after a few days of being sober, but the more we smoke, the longer it will take to go back to normal. Note that some research shows that permanent impact can occur from a consistent, long use.

The awesome part

7. It diminishes pain and assists with healing

Marijuana is indeed magical in that sense. Ask any cancer patient who was able to eat during chemo, or those who got their lives back after an unbearable pain was diminished thanks to cannabis. Furthermore, it contributes to a more positive state of mind, which is a key to any form of healing.

8. It helps focus on the present moment.

When stoned, time slows down—10 minutes might seem like half an hour. This intriguing effect allows us to focus on one activity and forget the rest of the world exists. In other words, we easily “zone out”. In our hectic and constantly connected lives, this is a major benefit.

9. It intensifies pleasant sensations

Pot give us the munchies! I was told I should put it on the “bad” list, but heck no—if you haven’t tried your favorite food when you are high, you ought to. When we are high jokes are funnier, movies are better, showers are intoxicatingly pleasant… which leads us to:

Sex is awesome while stoned! Someone told me once, if you never had sex while being high, you don’t know what you are missing. Years later I can tell you she was right. Remember, pot intensifies sensations, and what sensations would we like deepened mostly?

10. It temporarily diminishes the ego

I found marijuana to be what I call “an emotionally softening agent”. Have you even seen someone getting stoned and shout “let’s go kick some ass”? Me neither. Here’s the good part of the ego being diminished: it allows us to access, express and explore our emotions better than when we are sober, when our ego controls our behavior. Self-reflection while being high allows us to see ourselves from the outside, and to better understand who we and others are.

As such, cannabis is a great therapy tool for couples. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to talk to your partner with their ego eliminated? Try this: get stoned, sit across from each other and allow each person to speak for five minutes without interruption about the problem you are experiencing. You’ll be amazed how much better you’ll be able to understand each other.

11. It opens brain passages which are usually closed

Marijuana temporarily diminishes the ego. This eliminates the resistance of the conscious mind to accept that there is more to the psyche than what we are currently aware. In other words, it allows us to explore the hidden realms of our personality—if you are the quintessential left brain, exploring with pot might help you access your intuitive, emotional, artistic and spiritual side. If you are an extremely emotional being, it can help you become more logical, rational and analytical. It requires self-reflection and exploration, but I have seen it in action.

So there you have it—marijuana demystified. 

If you smoke, do so responsibly and inquisitively.

via ~ Erez Batat

A Beginner’s Guide to 25 Awesome Yoga Asanas.

“Anyone who practices can obtain success in yoga but not one who is lazy. Constant practice alone is the secret of success.”

~ Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Here’s a quick guide to 25 of my own personal all-time favorite asanas, complete with English names, Sanskrit names (in most cases) and brief instructions on how to practice the pose.

However, each individual pose is a world itself—with a ton of variations and potential alignment cues. If you’re a beginner, it’s best and safest to seek guidance from an experienced yoga instructor.

Is your favorite pose missing from the list? Add it in a comment!

1. Boat: (Sanskrit: navasana); to practice this core strengthening pose, sit with your soles on the floor and knees bent. Place the hands behind the knees. Using your abdominal muscles, lift the feet so that the shins are parallel to the ground. If you have the strength, release the hands from the legs and/or straighten the knees. Keep breathing! Hold for several deep breaths.

2. Bridge: (Sanskrit: setu bandhasana); this lovely, accessible backbend is done by lying on the back with the soles on the floor and the knees bent. Pressing the arms and feet down, inhale and lift the pelvis. Move up and down slowly with the breath, or hold the pose for several breaths.

3. Camel: (Sanskrit: ustrasana); this is another awesome backbend. Kneeling, bring both hands to the lower back. Keep them there for support if you are a beginner! Lean back, opening the throat and heart centers, breathing deeply. If comfortable, bring the hands down to hold the heels. Keep the hips over the knees. Hold for several breaths and then do Child’s Pose as a counterpose.

4. Child’s Pose: (Sanskrit: balasana); this delicious, restorative pose is a favorite of many. From the hands and knees, separate the knees, press the hips back and down toward the heels and relax the torso and arms, resting the forehead on the ground or on a blanket or block. Ahhh, yes!

5. Cobbler’s Pose: (Sanskrit: baddha konasana); this classic hip opener also goes by the name Butterfly. In a seated position, place the soles together and open the knees wide. A great yin variation is supta baddha konasana, which is practiced with the legs in the same formation, only lying down.

6. Cobra: (Sanskrit: bhujangasana); from lying on the stomach, place the palms on either side of the rib cage. Separate the feet if you have any lower back issues. With an inhale, press into the hands and legs, lifting the head and chest up. Start out low. Over time, your cobra will grow taller as you strengthen the lower back and gain flexibility in the spine.

7. Corpse: (Sanskrit: savasana); the ultimate pose in any hatha class, they say this one is the most difficult. All you have to do is lie still on the back, relax the entire body, release the mind and meditate.

8. Crescent Moon: a fabulous hip opener; get into this one by starting in runner’s lunge and placing the back knee on the ground. The back foot can be pointed or flexed, whichever feels more comfortable. Stay here if there’s already a good stretch in the hip flexor. To deepen the pose, bring the hands to the knees or overhead. Don’t forget to practice on the other side, too.

9. Dancer’s Pose: this balancing pose is also a great quad stretch. From standing, place your weight on one leg. Bend the other knee, lifting the foot toward the butt and hold your ankle or foot. Stay here and work with balance. If comfortable, press the foot into the hand and straighten the leg more. Don’t forget to practice on the other side, too.

10. Downward Facing Dog: (Sanskrit: adho mukha svanasana); from the hands and knees, lift the pelvis up toward the sky, lengthening the spine, arms and legs. Press the heels toward the ground; it’s okay if they don’t reach. Relax the neck. Move the chest back toward the legs. A super variation is half-dog, in which you do the pose with your hands on a wall instead of on the floor.

11. Eagle: (Sanskrit: garudasana); this balancing pose is a bit advanced, so if you’re new to yoga, try doing the arms and legs separately at first. For the arms, cross the left elbow over the right. Cross the wrists as well, bringing the palms together if possible. If not, bring the backs of the hands to touch instead. For the legs, bend both knees deeply and place the right leg over the left. If possible, wrap the right foot behind the left calf. If not, don’t sweat it. Don’t forget to practice on the opposite side, as well.

12. Fish: (Sanskrit – matsyasana); a throat-opening upper back bend, enter this pose from lying on the back. Place the elbows under the body as close together as is comfortable. Lift your chest, shoulders and head and then let the crown of the head relax back toward the ground. The legs can be straight and the feet pointed.

13. Happy Baby: a nice, relaxed hip opener that babies do naturally, hence the name; from lying on the back, bend the knees and hold the soles of the feet with the hands. Pull the knees gently downward toward the floor. Stay still or rock from side to side. Delicious, right?

14. Headstand: (Sanskrit – sirsasana); this inverted pose offers tons of benefits. Start out on the hands and knees. Interlace your fingers and place your elbows about a foot apart. Place your head on the floor, cradling it in your hands. If you’re new to this pose, all you’ll do at first is straighten your knees. Just get used to being upside down. Gradually, with practice, you can walk your feet closer toward the face, then lift the feet, keeping a bend in the knees. Eventually, you’ll straighten the legs in full headstand. With daily practice, you will see great progress within a few weeks.

15. Head to Knee: (Sanskrit: janu sirsasana); sitting with the legs straight in front of your, bend the right knee and place the right sole on the left inner thigh. Inhale and reach the arms up. Exhale and reach the hands for the knee, shin, ankle or foot. Breathe into the lower back and hamstrings. Hold this hip-opening forward bend for several breaths, and remember to practice on the other side, too.

16. Lion: take a deep breath in, and exhale powerfully, sticking out your tongue, opening the eyes as wide as possible and holding your face in this silly position for 10 whole seconds. Practice three times in a row to get in touch with your inner child and give yourself a natural face lift.

17. Plank Pose: the top of a push-up; spread your fingers wide like starfish and have your shoulders right over your wrists. Tuck the tailbone slightly, engaging your core abdominal muscles. Push your heels back and activate the quadriceps. Work up to holding plank for 30 seconds or longer. Another flow I love is simply moving back and forth from Downward Facing Dog to Plank. This deceptively easy-looking pose is a killer core workout.

18. Pigeon: (Sanskrit: eka pada rajakapotasana); from hands and knees, slide your right knee forward between the hands. Straigten the left leg behind you. Sit up on your right heel if needed. If possible, move your right foot to the left, allowing your hips to move further down toward the floor. Stay here, or work with deepening flexibility by brining your forearms or torso down in front of you. Don’t forget to practice on the other side, too.

19. Reclining Spinal Twist: lying down on the back, pull the right knee in toward the chest. With an exhale, cross that knee over to the left side of the body. Open the arms out to the side. Bring yin qualities into the twist; let gravity do the work rather than trying to force your way into a deeper twist. Practice for a good 10 breaths or more on each side.

20. Standing Forward Bend: (Sanskrit: uttanasana); from standing upright, lower your torso down toward the ground and place your hands on your thighs, shins, feet or the floor—wherever they reach is fine! Bend your knees as needed if the hamstrings are tight. Relax the head and neck. Enjoy the stretch to the lower back and backs of the legs.

21. Tree: (Sanskrit – vrksasana); from standing upright, bring all your weight onto one leg. Lift the opposite foot and place the sole on the ankle, calf or inner thigh of the standing leg. Hands can be together at the heart center, or lift the arms overhead. Hold for up to 10 breaths on each side, with a smile. As I tell my students, trees sway and trees fall, so try to have a sense of humor as you practice this balancing pose.

22. Triangle: (Sanskrit: trikonasana); this fabulous side stretch might just be my favorite of them all. There are many variations; here’s a basic one. Standing with the legs wide and the toes pointed forward, lift your arms out to the sides, parallel to the ground. Keeping a straight line in the arms, tilt the torso to the right and touch your right knee or shin lightly. Hold 10 breaths. Then switch and practice on the other side. Practice two or three times on each side to open the hips and stretch the sides of the torso.

23. Warrior I: (Sanskrit: virabhadrasana I); from a standing position, step your right foot way back into a lunge. Turn the right foot at an angle so that the right heel is on the ground. Turn your hips to face the front, and bend the left knee so that it’s over the ankle. If comfortable, lift the arms and gaze up. Soften the shoulders and jaw. Don’t forget to practice on the other side, too.

24. Warrior II: (Sanskrit: virabhadrasana II) With the legs in the same position as in Warrior I, turn the hips so that they are opening to the side. Stretch the arms out to the sides, parallel to the ground, palms facing down. Gaze in the direction of your outstretched fingers. Get in touch with your peaceful, powerful warrior spirit! Remember to practice on the opposite side as well.

25. Wheel: (Sanskrit: urdhva dhanurasana); this advanced backbend is an intense heart opener. Sticking with Bridge or Camel is fine and those poses offer many of the same benefits. To practice Full Wheel, start from the Bridge setup. Bring the palms to either side of your head, fingers pointing toward the shoulders. Inhale and press up, either onto the crown of the head or all the way up onto the palms. Feel the opening in the chest and heart. Breathe. Come down slowly after several breaths and pull both knees into the chest to release the lower back.

Namaste.

Via Michelle Margaret Fajkus

WHICH STYLE OF MEDITATION IS BEST FOR YOU?

The word is out: meditation is a valuable part of a healthy lifestyle. It has been scientifically proven to make peoples’ lives happier, less stressful, and even more healthy. However, meditation isn’t necessarily easy to commit to doing every day. If you’ve ever tried to jump in at random, you may have found it to be a challenge. It could be simply because you haven’t found the right meditation style that jives with your soul.

The essential aspect of meditation isn’t based on how “well” you do it, what you’re wearing, or where you are. It’s about what appeals to your spirit, and since that is such a subjective thing, there is no right or wrong way to do it. The important thing is to be committed and practice every day.

We found seven meditation styles for you to check out. If you still aren’t sure of which sounds the best, try them all out! Make note of how you feel before and after each style, and understand what works for you. Allow yourself to go with the flow. Some important questions to ask yourself when figuring out your meditation style include: Do you like to move, or does stillness work better for you? How about vocalizations? Do you want to focus on something or nothing? Your particular way into meditation may be different than what the mainstream is doing, but getting the benefits of stress relief, reduced anger, feelings of well-being, lowered blood pressure and so on is what is important for you.

Focused Meditation

This is a rather general label for any kind of meditation that includes focus on some aspect of the five senses (visualizations are the most popular). For instance, you might be asked to focus on an image of a flower, a flame, or moving water. These are all ways to keep the mind gently focused so you are less likely to become distracted. You may also be asked to concentrate on the feel of something — your fingers against each other, the way your breath feels moving in and out of your body, or the alignment of your spine. Sound is another method, as you may focus on a simple sound (a gentle gong, a bell, or music) or sounds from nature.

Guided Meditation

This style is a focused meditation that is not self-led. Usually a teacher or instructor will take you through it duringa class you attend. It usually includes one or more of the techniques in focused meditation. The instructor will lead you through breathing instructions and some kind of visualization, body scan, or sound, or a mantra.

Spiritual Meditation

In layman’s terms, this is known as prayer. You may have done it growing up, or you may practice it as part of your religion. While it isn’t the exact same thing, there are familiar elements to this style of meditation. Essentially, you dive into a quieter, more reflective state, whether that’s at home or your place of worship. To practice spiritual meditation, you begin with the words you have heard or said yourself in your worship, but instead of stopping at the end of a prayer or song, keep sitting quietly. You can ask a question and listen for an answer. Sometimes people feel that an answer comes from outside of them through the Divine, God, or the Universe. Other people simply enumerate what you are grateful for. Use your experience of prayer to access that quiet, meditative mind space.

Mantra Meditation

This practice is a label for when you use a sound or a set of sounds, repetitively, to enter and stay within the meditative state. Against popular belief, using only silence when practicing meditation isn’t the only way to meditate. Mantras are a great focusing tool, and they have a long history within the tradition of meditation. People usually chant either quietly, whispering their words, or loudly and proudly, turning the mantras into a more rhythmic song. Again, however, there is no one way to do it. Saying your mantras in your head is perfectly fine, or in a different language, or in a simple onomatopoeia like "Ohm." You can even make up sounds or words if you like or take them from another language; it all depends on what the sound or words mean to you personally, and if they are a helpful way to prevent distracting thoughts.

Transcendental Meditation

When scientists tout the benefits of meditation, this is the type that's most likely been studied. It’s certainly the most popular form, with over 5 million practitioners worldwide. It’s also usually easy to find free or low-cost classes in most places. It is a little more formalized than some of the other meditation types mentioned here, but it useful for beginning or exploring meditation if you are new to it. They have an official site, which states this form of meditation as "... a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It’s not a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle."

Movement Meditation

This form is exactly what it sounds like; it’s the active branch of meditation. It’s a chance to move around the room, the house, a woodsy path, or the garden (or wherever) — usually in a relatively simple and relaxing way, rather than getting your heart rate up. Walking meditation, most types of yoga, gardening, and even basic housecleaning tasks can be moving meditations. This meditation type is great for people who already sit all day at work and want to move and meditate when not at a desk, and for those people who find sitting still to be a distraction from being able to meditate at all.

Mindfulness Meditation

This is a type of meditation that is an ongoing part of life, rather than a separate activity. It is more of a lifestyle than anything else. It’s a great way to address stress in the moment it is happening, and over time becomes more like a mental skill than a focused time set apart from the rest of your day. It can be easier to get into a mindful state of mind if one has already been practicing other forms of meditation separately.

via Rachel Grussi

Reverse Bow

yoga styles!

my body!

Vajrasana!