photo courtesy of IN THE SPIRIT, YOGA STUDIO, WINE LOUNGE & YOGA STORE
Essential Oils and Yoga
Yoga means “to join together.” Our physical movement joins together with our inhaled and exhaled breath. And with inward focus on the present moment we create a unified healing spirit–a mind, emotion, and body experience.
The asana poses evoke responses from the body, emotions and mind; clearing blocked energies and balancing chakras. When we do yoga, we become focused and clear, peaceful and relaxed, and connected to our higher self, and a higher power.
Essential oils assist us as we prepare and while we practice yoga!
- Patchouli, Lavender, and Vetiver connect with the Root Chakra, and Mother Earth, bringing peace, balance and focus.
- Bergamot, Sweet Orange, and Lemon connect with Sacral, Solar Plexus and Heart Chakras, bringing uplifting, positive energy.
- Neroli, Ylang Ylang, and Sandalwood connect to the Throat, Third Eye and Crown Chakras’ transcendent spirit energy.
You can blend essential oils that incorporate all the chakras, or you can boost any individual areas with a single oil.
Here are a few blending ideas to get you started!
Yoga Body Lotion Blend: For relaxing muscles, either before or after yoga, combine your favorite unscented lotion or carrier oil, like jojoba, sweet almond, or grapeseed oil, with 5 drops each of Patchouli, Ylang-Ylang and Bergamot essential oils. Mix well, then massage into your legs, shoulders, neck, wherever you feel tension or over-worked muscles or joints, and allow the pain-relieving and relaxing properties soothe it all away!
Yoga Spray Mist Blend: Combine 1/3 cup of water, 2 T plain vodka or witch hazel, and 5 drops each Lavender, Orange ,and Jasmine essential oils. Pour into a glass or plastic spray bottle (available at drugstores or dollar stores). The vodka allows the mist to remain suspended in the air longer, scenting the air around you. The aromatherapy enhances the connection to your Chakras. You can spray it on your yoga mat for disinfecting and additional aromatherapy, too!
Yoga Mist for your Diffuser: Add 5 drops each of Lemon, Sandalwood and Neroli with water to your Aromasens aromatherapy nebulizer. As the oil blend diffuses your home or studio is filled with a steady aroma that enhances your yoga practice!
Tip: De-stress from your busy day before your yoga class by putting essential oil on a cotton ball in the air vent of your car, so you get relaxing, energizing benefits while you drive.
Sweet Orange, Lemon, or Pink Grapefruit can perk you up, while, Vetiver or Carrot Seed oil can relax you. By the time you get to class, you are on your way to deepening your yoga experience!