Yoga High

We talk about "runners high" often, but what about other ways to achieve this exercise euphoria?

Photo by Yannic Läderach on Unsplash

We’ve all heard of runner’s high. Where when you’re running you get this feeling of euphoria and energy. I literally chased this “high” for several years. I made running my go-to workout and have several races including 2 half-marathons under my belt. In short, I have done plenty of running and training. But in all those runs, I never once achieved this elusive high.

I enjoyed running. I got a certain meditation out of it. And I loved the way my body would hum the rest of the day after a long run in the morning. But, when other runners would talk about this endorphin rush they got, I would feel a little left out. Like a woman who can’t orgasm surrounded by friends who are talking about having multiples. And, honestly, I think I felt like something was wrong with me.

Yoga High

Recently, I got really serious about my yoga practice. I have been practicing for nearly 30 years, but not always consistently. And even when I was consistent the most I would practice would be twice a week. I’m now practicing 4-5 days a week.

And I just realized that one of the things that has got me coming back to the mat so consistently these last few months is actually a “yoga high”. I have practices where I reach a state of being completely in the moment, energetic, open, and even (yes!) euphoric.

I spent literal years running after a runner’s high I was never meant to achieve. Ignoring the fact that for years I had experienced highs in my yoga classes.

I never really gave it much thought. It wouldn’t happen consistently, it would just naturally occur here and there. I would be in a class with a bunch of other people. We would reach this state where the synergy, harmony, and energy were palpable. I would have the awareness that I was experiencing something beautiful and special in the moment, but then just roll up my mat and call it a great class. In these moments, it never occurred to me that I would be able to achieve that feeling on my own.

Getting High to Get “The High”

When I upped my yoga game recently I tried something new - I introduced cannabis to my practice. I didn’t start my cannabis habit until a few years ago and somehow I never thought to marry yoga and cannabis before this. But, the first time I did it (with a 10mg THC gummy) I found myself experiencing that same amazing feeling I used to have in the occasional class. But, this time I was alone. I was just in my own little world, Moby playing on my air-pods, and making up my own routine as I went.

This was an epiphany for me.

The days of donation basis classes of my youth are long gone. And spending $30 per class prevents me from regular class attendance. Also, I simply haven’t found a teacher who provides that yoga high in a long time (I’m still looking).

So, being able to pop a gummy, play my own music and tailor a session to my own energy level, abilities, and needs has been an amazing gift. I’ve been playing with my dose a bit. 10mg was a bit much (affecting my balance) - so now I do 2.5mg-5mg… Or none at all.

I know what you’re thinking - THC is a bit of a cheat to get the yoga high and that’s probably true. But, since I’ve been accessing this yoga high at home regularly I’ve also found myself achieving it completely sober. In fact there are times when I’m practicing that I have to remind myself that I didn’t pop a gummy before.

It’s like since I’m in the same place, playing the same music, doing the same thing my mind naturally opens up to this euphoric state. THC showed me where this portal was, but consistency made much it more accessible even without imbibing.

Finding Your High

I believe physical activity is crucial to our health. I remember in school I thought I hated exercise because all my experience with it was in PE class. I have no natural athletic ability so jumping from baseball, to basketball to volleyball only made me feel useless and inadequate.

But, there are lots of ways for us to get exercise. Endless ways for us to move our bodies. I think it’s extremely important for all of us to find the activities that work best for us. Best for our bodies and best for our minds.

My yoga routine would not be impressive to anyone who watched it. My hips are tight so I can barely do a half lotus. I’m not strong enough to do a wheel. But, all that matters is that I keep it up. And I keep it up because I love it.

Accessing my yoga high on a regular basis has made my practice not just enjoyable, but a bit addictive. And it got me thinking that if more people could find the thing that leads them to this state then maybe we all wouldn’t view exercise as a chore.

Running isn’t for everyone.

Yoga isn’t for everyone.

But, I believe that all of us can reach these euphoric states via physical activity. We just need to be open to it and willing to search for it.

Namaste.