Essential oils for Yoga: which ones to choose and how to use them
Those who practice Yoga can choose to amplify and deepen their practice through aromatherapy. In this article, we will illustrate the properties of essential oils that can facilitate the practice and suggest some application methods.
In gyms or centers where Yoga is taught, essential oils are often diffused. Their delicate scent creates a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, which discreetly accompanies and enriches the practice.
This small guide to the synergy between Yoga and Aromatherapy aims to provide useful tips for beginner and experienced Yogis, to experience the discipline even more fully.
Summary:
Aromatherapy and Yoga: two kindred practices
Essential oils for meditation: which ones to choose?
How to create a relaxing environment
What if scents give me a headache?
How to use essential oils during yoga
Aromatherapy and Yoga: two kindred practices
Aromatherapy and Yoga are two practices that stem from listening. Both also rely on the importance of breath and work on both the physical and psycho-emotional planes.
These are holistic disciplines, meaning they approach the person in their entirety.
Every essential oil – just like every Asana – works on different organs and messages: by remaining present and focused on our breath, we connect with the plant, which transmits its teachings to us.
The benefits of Aromatherapy – as well as those of Yoga – are increasingly at the center of scientific research and recognition. Essential oils are, in fact, true concentrates of the active principles of plants: if you are interested in better understanding how the interaction between humans and plants works, on our blog you will find some in-depth articles on what essential oils are and how aromatherapy works.
How to use essential oils during yoga
- Initial moment, bringing yourself to the present.
Use the aromatherapy spray to spritz on your solar plexus and in your surroundings to achieve the mental state you seek. PLUS: use Olfattiva's aromatherapy sprays as sanitizers for your mat. They contain alcohol derived from beet maceration.
- During practice through ambient diffusion.
Using a diffuser, spread essential oils to create a welcoming environment for the entire duration of your practice.
- Meditation practice: Grasping the Essence:
Choose the essential oil most suited to the meditative state you wish to achieve, massage 2/3 drops of essential oil onto the palms of your hands. Bring your hands to your face and, closing your eyes in the lotus position, inhale and exhale slowly three times.
Essential oils for meditation: which ones to choose?
As mentioned above, each essential oil carries its own energetic properties and message. Many aromatic plants have a relaxing and calming effect, but some of these are more suitable than others for meditation. Let's look at the main ones.
Frankincense
When people talk about frankincense, many think of burning incense sticks. In fact, not everyone knows that it is a precious resin, from which an essential oil with a balsamic and intense, almost salty scent is distilled. Among the many varieties of Frankincense, the one best known for its properties in prayer is undoubtedly Boswellia Sacra.
Frankincense has a direct action on the breath, making it slower and deeper. At the same time, it relaxes the nervous system and stimulates higher psychic faculties such as intuition. Its warm, spicy, and balsamic scent sharpens perception and promotes contact with the more subtle aspects of existence.
Clary Sage
This aromatic plant owes its name to the root of "salvus," meaning healed, restored. The second epithet of the scientific name, "Sclarea," derives from the adjective "clarus," which indicates not only sight but also vision, intuition. In ancient times, it was used by oracles.
Sage encourages contact with unconscious aspects of the person such as inspiration and elevates thought. It ignites creativity and frees one from stress, nervousness, fears, and recurring thoughts.
It is an ideal essential oil for an internal practice like Yoga, as well as for fostering connection with dreams and dreamlike aspects.
Cedarwood Atlas
The wood of Cedarwood Atlas also has a long tradition in meditation, and is still used in Tibetan temples today. Its deep and persistent scent elevates the mind and psyche, increasing the propensity for spirituality and profound contemplation.
Lavender
Lavender combines a sedative action on the nervous system, bringing peace to the mind and heart. Its essential oil harmonizes emotional states and dispels worries and stress. Precisely because of its properties, it is an aromatic plant you can choose to prepare yourself for meditation.
Essential Oil Kit for Yoga
Our long experience in the field of Aromatherapy has led us – along with some practitioners – to select 5 blends of essential oils to promote concentration, breathing, inner calm, and the body-mind connection. The Essential Oil Kit for Yoga is intended as a basic kit for those who love sport and meditation.
How to create a relaxing environment
If you want to start practicing Yoga at home, it is essential to think about a dedicated space. You don't need a very large area: the space you occupy when lying down, with your arms and legs outstretched, will suffice.
To create a suitable space, you need to consider a tidy and clean area of the house, where there are no objects that we might bump into and break during the more acrobatic Asanas. Order and aesthetic pleasantness are very important for preparing ourselves for an activity in which we take care of ourselves: so look for an environment that you particularly like and that makes you feel good.
To create a relaxing atmosphere for practicing Yoga at home you will need:
- A mat
- A cushion for knee positions if you are not used to it
- An essential oil diffuser for aromatherapy or a spray based on essential oils
Purifying the air
Most essential oils have antiseptic properties and help to clean and sanitize environments. If you practice in a well-used space, you can choose essential oils with antiviral properties to purify the air from viruses, bacteria, and pollution.
Simply add 3 or 4 drops into a cold essential oil diffuser or an ultrasonic diffuser. If you don't have a diffuser, you can use an aromatherapy spray for the environment.
Below is our selection of sprays to purify the air and facilitate breathing:
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Ravensare
- Oxygen
- Clean Air
- MoonCycle
Moon Cycle
Frankincense, Lavender, Sage, and Laurel
Analytical and clean synergy.
A scent that interacts with mood swings and fluctuating emotions, helping to find one's center. Like a balancing pole for a tightrope walker, Moon Cycle is created to accompany you, step by step, helping you stay balanced.
Samadhi
Orange, Cedarwood, Myrrh, Frankincense
Listen, the joy that arises.
A fragrance that prepares for prayer, beauty, and inner reflection. The sweetness of Orange essential oil is enriched by Myrrh, Frankincense, and Atlas Cedar: woods and resins from the East that encourage a journey within ourselves. Meditative, Samadhi promotes slowness, elevates thought, and dissipates tension. Sophisticated, slow, and sublime.
How to clean your Yoga mat
Cleaning your mat is very simple, and we recommend doing it always before starting your practice.
Simply mist an essential oil-based spray over its surface, from a distance of 30-40 cm. This way, the antibacterial and antiviral active ingredients of the oils will clean the surface and accompany you in your session with a delicate scent.
Once a month, you can spray and gently wipe a damp cloth on both sides.
Below are some essential oil sprays we recommend for cleaning your Yoga mat:
What if scents give me a headache?
Many people have had negative experiences with synthetic perfumes, which can cause intense headaches. Essential oils have nothing to do with this type of product; they are much more akin to the sensation of smelling a flower or an aromatic leaf. Besides not causing any headaches, some of them – like Lavender and Mint – help prevent headaches.
Some teachers at Yoga centers where essential oils are diffused tell us something very interesting. Most students, when they enter the room, feel an immediate sense of well-being and instinctively inhale deeply. Many of them would not connect the experience of well-being to essential oils, precisely because of the delicacy of their presence. Others – who are more sensitive to olfactory stimuli or who know aromatherapy better – ask for information on which plant was diffused so they can recreate that pleasant sensation at home.
A fragrant greeting,
Barbara - Olfattiva Aromatherapist
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