Aromatherapy + Yoga: The duo your mind, body, and spirit need
In honour of International Yoga Day, today, on June 21st, lets explore Yoga, Aromatherapy, and all their benefits on your mind, body, and spirit.
Aromatherapy and yoga are both ancient healing practices focused on physical, mental, and spiritual health. They have developed in close connection for thousand years, and historically have been used in tandem to support the body, clear the mind, and lift the spirit.
But you don’t have to be a history expert to benefit from combining essential oils and yoga. There are lots of ways you can safely start using aromatherapy to support your personal practice, enhance your teaching space, or create a must-have experience for your clients.
Some Important Background on Aromatherapy and Yoga
The ancient Indian healing system, Ayurveda, uses essential oils and asana (The physical Yoga poses) to balance and unblock the body’s chakras, which promotes the flow of life energy. The chakras are the energy centers of the body.
According to Ayurveda, there are seven major chakras and each is associated with a major nerve plexus and endocrine gland. It is believed that physical problems that manifest in the body are the result of blocked energy flow through the chakras.
Now, maybe the language of the chakras doesn’t speak to you. That’s okay. Modern science has also shown a strong connection between aromatherapy and asana practice.
The combination has been shown to balance the autonomic nervous system, raise the levels of gamma amino-butyric acid in the brain (which calms the nervous activity in the brain), and help reach hormonal homeostasis.
In addition, essential oils possess cleansing properties that make them extremely useful hygiene tools in public places, like yoga studios.
Here are three ways you can start reaping the benefits of aromatherapy in your yoga practice:
#1 Add essential oils into your morning vinyasa
What better way to start your day than with 6 a.m. vinyasa?
Vinyasa means a gradual progression or a step-by-step approach that systematically and appropriately takes a student from one point and safely lands them at the next point. It is sometimes described as the breathing system or the union of breath and movement that make up the steps.
It is a healthier and more efficient way to awaken the body than drinking a cup of coffee!
Studies have shown that morning yoga can elevate your mood, particularly if you incorporate standing poses, back-bends, and inversions. .
Some good poses for a morning practice might include mountain pose (tadasana), bridge pose (setu bandha sarvangasana), and legs up the wall (viparita karani).
If you want to enhance your morning practice, consider diffusing an energizing essential oil or essential oil blend in your practice space.
Spearmint, peppermint, bergamote, grapefruit ou lemon: . These essential oils are known for their ability to boost mood, and will help you to feel more vigorous.
In other words, morning yoga combined with aromatherapy can help you to start your day more energized and in a happy mood!
#2 Add essential oils into your restorative evening yoga practice
Restorative yoga in the evening is a great way to calm down the nervous system and to alleviate some of the stress that has accumulated during the day. Standing and sitting exercises followed by deep relaxation poses, meditation, and breath counting can help to bring the body to a state of rest; these practices have also been reported to significantly improve sleep quality.
A few relaxation poses you might want to try in your restorative yoga practice include child’s pose (balasana), reclining bound angle pose or reclining butterfly (supta baddha konasana), and supported bridge pose (setu bandha sarvangasana).
To enhance your evening practice, consider diffusing a soothing essential oil or essential oil blend in your practice space.
Sauge, Lavander et Ylang Ylang : These calming essential oils have been shown to slow down heart rate and reduce blood pressure. They may also help improve sleep quality.
In other words, evening yoga combined with aromatherapy can help you to reduce stress, rest, and may even help achieve good-quality sleep. The combo may also be a healthy alternative to drug interventions if you struggle with sleep issues like insomnia. But always check with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, and/or Registered Aromatherapist before making any changes to your health and wellness routine.
#3 Add essential oils in your yoga and studio hygiene practice.
Essential oils are effective natural cleaning agents. Diffusing essential oils in your practice space—especially if it’s a studio with a lot of people coming in and out—can help protect you and your yogis from infections … especially during the colder, harsher seasons.
L'eucalyptus and Tea tree are great options.
Experiment with combining different essential oils to increase effectiveness (different essential oils will be effective against different bacteria) and to create a more unique and pleasant odor. We recommend a blend of eucalyptus, lavender , and lemon essential oils in a 3:1:1 ratio. So, three drops eucalyptus, one drop lavender, and one drop lemon.
You can increase the volume, but keep the ratio the same (e.g., nine drops eucalyptus, three drops lavender, and three drops lemon).
In other words, essential oils can further boost your yoga practice by helping to support an already healthy immune system naturally.
#4 BONUS : Aromatherapy Yoga Essential oil Blend
Here’s an aromatherapy essential oil blend you can start with. It’s a well-balanced blend for mid-day, whether you’re taking a yoga lunch break, teaching an afternoon class, or just need a little pick-me-up.
Combine lavender, lemon, and peppermint using a 1:1:1 ratio to achieve the desired effect.
You might also try experimenting with different essential oils to create your own “signature” yogi blend!!
Or, to make your life easier, we have our own YOGA blend, composed of pine, geranium, eucalyptus, peppermint and sage essential oils.
Yoga is a synergy of essential oils that allows you to breathe in positivism and breathe out negativism. It will bring you peace of mind by encouraging your journey to self enlightenment. Your body will gain vitality with its floral and spicy aromas.
We also offer a gift set focused on wellness and your state of mind. Whether it is for a moment of relaxation, recognition, introspection, inspiration or for a need of energy or joy, this box : STATE OF MIND will accompany you in your different states of mind. p>
Enjoy the relaxation!
Read more blog articles on aromatherapy here!
Aromatherapy: An excellent remedy for fall!
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