Aromatherapy is an ancient healing practice focused on physical, mental, & spiritual health. Like yoga, aromatherapy can be used to support the physical body, boost your mood, and uplift the spirit. Since aromatherapy can have such positive effects on overall well-being, It's no surprise that adding essential oils to your practice can enhance your yoga journey.
There are many different types of essential oils, each with their own healing properties, that can support the benefits of your practice. Whether you're looking to energize or relax, there is an essential oil for that.
I've put together a list of essential oils I use to enhance my own yoga journey and how you can apply them to your practice at home.
FINDING YOUR BALANCE & GROUNDING
Using earthy scents in your practice can re-establish a connection to Mother Earth, symbolizing the idea of rooting down. The following oils will allow you to reconnect to your authentic self and restore inner balance.
VETIVER: This plant is a perennial bunchgrass with deep roots. The oil gets extracted from these roots and provide a rich aroma. This oil has a calming and grounding effect on emotions. Diffusing a few drops during your practice, or applying it topically with some coconut oil can ground you mentally, physically, and emotionally.
FRANKINCENSE: This oil has a distinctive, uplifting aroma that's perfect for spiritual connectedness. It's known to connect you to your spiritual path & to the healing energy of the earth. I like to apply frankincense to the bottoms of my feet during grounding and balancing postures like Mountain pose, Dancer's pose, and Warrior III. When frankincense is applied to the bottoms of the feet, it provides a sense of relaxation, overall well-being, and balanced emotions.
CEDARWOOD: This oil is extracted from the cedar tree and has a warm, woodsy aroma. The scent alone can help you feel more connected to the earth. Diffusing this oil at the start of your practice can create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, allowing for a stronger mind-body connection.
PATCHOULI: This oil is by far one of my favorite essential oils...ever. I use this oil daily for grounding and restored inner balance. Patchouli has a very rich and musky aroma that reminds me of a crisp, fall morning in the wilderness. This oil can restore mental clarity, emotional balance, and inner peace. I love to mix patchouli with almond oil and apply it topically to my wrists and neck, on and off the mat.
MENTAL CLARITY & FOCUS
Adding uplifting oils to your practice can boost energy levels, fight mental fatigue, improve focus, and increase productivity. Using the following oils is a great way to awaken the mind and body:
LEMON: All citrus aromas have great potential to boost energy. However, I find lemon essential oil to be the most stimulating. It's clean and refreshing scent creates a more focused environment, allowing me to be more attentive, alert, and mindful during my practice. Lemon essential oil is best diffused. It is not recommended to use topically if you plan on spending any time out in the sun.
CINNAMON LEAF: This oil is a great way to add warmth and spice to your practice. When we build up heat in the body, we feel energized and invigorated. This same concept applies when using cinnamon leaf oil. This oil's sweet and spicy aroma stimulates the mind, reduces drowsiness, boosts energy, and promotes mental focus. I love to diffuse cinnamon leaf oil first thing in the morning. It livens up my morning and motivates me to take my yoga practice to the next level. This is a great oil to diffuse when practicing energizing backbends and inversions.
PEPPERMINT: Peppermint essential oil has a fresh and arousing aroma that invigorates the senses. This oil can increase alertness, improve concentration, boost energy, and fight mental fatigue. Mixing peppermint with a carrier oil and applying it topically to the head and neck is a great way to increase focus. Its cooling and tingling sensation make it great for sore muscles, as well. I like to diffuse this oil with rosemary and eucalyptus to promote a refreshing, energetic environment.
PEACE & TRANQUILITY
Relaxing scents such as lavender, vanilla, and chamomile have been very popularized. So, it's no secret that these aromas can promote peace and serenity for your practice. Here are a few ideas of how you can use these amazing oils for your practice at home:
LAVENDER: This essential oil is a staple in my home. I clean with it and even use it to make my own skin & hair care products. Its clean, floral aroma is most commonly recognized for its abilities to soothe the mind and body. Lavender oil reduces mental stress, anxiety, depression, and can fight insomnia. Add a few drops of this oil and water in a spray bottle and spray your mat before a Yin or restorative yoga practice (Lavender oil is also an antibacterial, making it a great daily cleanser for your mat). I also like to apply lavender oil to my forehead right before Savasana.
VANILLA: Vanilla is probably the most recognizable aroma. Its warm and sweet fragrance promotes a comforting atmosphere. Many of us associate this scent with warmth and coziness. Vanilla essential oil enhances relaxation and can help you deal with stress. Diffusing this oil before a relaxing evening routine can help you sleep better. Here's a link to the perfect yoga routine for insomnia: Faith Barbara (@unapologeticallypure) • Instagram photos and videos
CHAMOMILE: This essential oil has antispasmodic and sedative properties. This makes it a great oil to help naturally relax the mind and body. Its soothing scent can fight anxiety & depression, stabilize emotions, relax the muscles, and promote a peaceful sleep. Diffusing this oil can calm your nerves and promote inner peace. Since this oil is great for relaxing the muscles, I love to topically apply this oil onto my stomach during my menstrual cycle. This helps alleviate my menstrual cramps, allowing me to enjoy my practice during that dreaded time of the month.
Employing essential oils in your journey is a wonderful way to amplify the intention of your practice. Just trying one or two of these oils can encourage you to connect deeper within. I hope that by sharing a few of my favorites, you can begin to build the foundations of a more spiritual experience on and off the mat!
Stay well & keep shining
Namaste
-Faith
Comments