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Inhale, Exhale, Unwind
Yoga-infused cannabis in Island Falls.
BY KEEVA JACQUES
e may associate them with the 1960s, but cannabis and yoga have both been helping us keep calm and carry on for more than 2,500 years. Although each has its own history book, 2023 is adding a sparkling new
Wchapter: cannabis-infused yoga. Sewall House Yoga Retreat’s Elija Weikel and Ajeet Khalsa are among the innovators.
Best Buds
Weikel and Khalsa are not your average yogis. Together, they combine 30 years of herbalism knowledge and experience. As your hosts, yoga instructors, and herbalism experts, they’ll help you “rewind yourself into your spiritual origin.”
During their ve-day Spiritual Herbalism Yoga Retreat, expect “daily morning meditation as the sun rises,” followed by co ee from local roasters with optional CBD. From August 3 to 8 you’ll enjoy “plant walks and local plant identi cation” and gain “experience making tinctures, infusions, and plant essences.”
Locally Foraged
“We want this retreat to focus on how certain plants, from cannabis to lavender to tea tree, can help improve wellness, utilizing natural elements to nourish your body, mind, and spirit,” Weikel says.
“CBD and THC have incredible health bene ts. Everyone has their own opinions on cannabis. We love helping to de-stigmatize it.”
REWILDING
“We teach the cra of herbalism from a spiritual perspective,” Khalsa says. During the retreat in Island Falls in Aroostook, “we enjoy vegan and vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as Kundalini and Svaroopa® yoga.” Svaroopa® is a healing-oriented style of yoga that focuses on opening the spine. Kundalini is a combination of breath, movement, and sound.
“By day, we go on tons of walks through nature and enjoy workshops where we make infusions with local ingredients. ese experiences help teach the tincturing process and encourage people to nd locally foraged herbs and wild owers once they’ve returned home.
“Lessons cover herbalism lore, plant walks, native species identi cation, hiking, and kayaking.” A re-wilding ceremony allows you to “create an herbal earth mandala, experience Wise Woman infusions, and end with a Spirit of Herbalism closing circle.”
In Bloom
One of our favorite sayings is to nd your plant allies,” say Weikel and Khalsa. In the words of their retreat description, “Have you ever looked out onto a eld of owers and truly heard them talking to you?” n
Cost of Spiritual Herbalism Yoga Retreat is $500 plus $1,875 single/$2,730 double occupancy accommodation.
