Pilates & CBD

You may have heard about “CBD” in Yoga, Movement and Pilates classes and may have seen “CBD” products at your local Pilates Studio. No, it does not stand for Core – Booty – Dance (although that sounds fun and we think you should develop it) Whats the deal?  What is it? Will CBD help you hold a teaser or open your heart in a backbend?

In this blog we explore the emergence of CBD in the Pilates Scene.

For Relief :
While CBD products aren’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical condition they are widely used as a homeopathic “treatment” for pain reduction and inflammation.

Should I supply clients with CBD options in my Pilates or Physical Therapy Studio? 

CBD or “Cannabidiol” is different from its counter-culture cousin-compound  “THC” (which might give you the giggles). Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid, one of over 100 identified cannabinoids in cannabis plants.  We have seen “CBD supported Restorative Yoga”, “CBD post Marathon Stretching Class” and classes that “weave” together mindfulness “cannabis culture” restorative postures and CBD smoothies (yes, banana and Cacao included).

According to a report from the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential…. To date, there is no evidence of public health related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”  

So… Harvard, Cannabis, Pilates?
 

 Peter Grinspoon, MD and contributing editor for the Harvard Health Blog explains: “CBD has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications. In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases it was able to stop them altogether. Videos of the effects of CBD on these children and their seizures are readily available on the Internet for viewing, and they are quite striking.

Recently the FDA approved the first ever cannabis-derived medicine for these conditions, Epidiolex, which contains CBD.” We are seeing an increasing number of Pilates studios pairing movement and therapies with CBD products in an attempt to support their clients’ choices regarding customized treatment and recovery.   

In Miami the results are palpable. Russell Goldman explains:

“The addition of CBD products at Polestar Studio South Miami has helped produce positive outcomes with our clients.  We currently suggest CBD for our clients that are complaining of arthritic type conditions.  The feedback has been astonishing for the aging population…reduced pain, better sleep, and happier moods have been the core of the feedback.” 

Regarding the specifics of integrating CBD products in your Pilates business Goldman continues:

“If you are going to try a CBD product, you should definitely ask for lab results. Many companies have popped up with inferior products.  Our most common tincture is 1500 milligrams with a 72% purity rating.  Some of the products on the market may be 10% or less. This is very high for the industry standard and our client outcomes are attributed to this high quality product.” 

Our Thoughts?  As a whole health practice the Pilates method encompasses quite a lot! 

Joseph spoke of plenty of sunshine, fresh air, bathing the body and cells with oxygen via blood circulation and living with vigor and zest (Teaser Tuesdays…).  Would Joseph have developed a whiskey and cigar infused Pilates class? (some of his known guilty pleasures…what really was in that cigar? – and again, yes –  we think you should develop this…)

We think not. But check in with your doctor and accordingly give CBD a try.  We believe Joseph would have encouraged us to be “our own best doctor” and to look within to see if what serves us on our Pilates path of coordination of body, mind and spirit.

Harvard Health: Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t