A whiff of cologne can trigger memories of an ex, and the smell of freshly-baked bread can prompt all sorts of feels. But aromatherapy – or the use of essential oils – can also improve your general well-being and even enhance your yoga practice. Here’s how to get started.
A whiff of cologne can trigger memories of an ex, and the smell of freshly-baked bread can prompt all sorts of feels. But aromatherapy – or the use of essential oils – can also improve your general well-being and even enhance your yoga practice. Here’s how to get started.
The Perfect Yoga Partner
Take your yoga practice to the next level by including essential oils in your daily life. Ed Dailey tells us how.
From your experience, what can essential oils do for a yoga practice? How much of a difference does it make?
Essential oils can help to enhance your yoga experience and provide benefits from the therapeutic areas of both yoga and aromatherapy. Not only will your senses be heightened and enthralled, the focus of the session is also intensified by the use of specific essential oil blends.
How can we incorporate pure essential oils in our yoga practice?
10 minutes prior to your yoga practice, warm up the room with an essential oil diffuser, and start your practice when the oils have fully permeated the room. I will use several oils in one practice session – for standing poses, I might use a grounded oil such as cedarwood; for backbends, I might use a more uplifting oil such as peppermint or lemon; to create a sense of relaxation, I may use lavender.
Besides the use of essential oils, is there anything else that yoga regulars should be mindful of, so they get the full benefits?
I think one of the main things to be mindful of is a daily self-practice that’s in sync with what’s going on in that moment. For example, if I’m exhausted, I may do a practice that’s more restorative in nature. If I haven’t been moving a lot due to travel, I might consider a practice that’s more active. Yoga is about creating more mindfulness in every moment. The mindfulness you create in your yoga practice then spills over into the other areas of your life, such as work and relationships.
Ed Dailey, yoga instructor and senior global trainer for Young Living Essential Oils (www.youngliving.com).
5 essential oils to use in your next yoga practice
1 Grapefruit
Grapefruit oil is a gallbladder and liver stimulant, and can even help to boost metabolism. Use this if your practice for the day includes a lot of twists, inversions and other poses to boost your circulatory and digestive systems.
2 Rosemary
Try pairing rosemary with your cat-cow pose and hip opening poses, like the pigeon pose. If your muscles are feeling sore or tense, try mixing two drops of rosemary oil with a carrier oil, and then apply it topically.
3 Jasmine
If you find yourself having a lot of negative emotions, fill the room with the soothing scent of jasmine. Start with sun salutations to get blood pumping throughout your body, and end with savasana (corpse pose) to restore your mind.
4 Eucalyptus
Getting back into yoga after a break? Take it easy and don’t kill yourself with super challenging poses. Instead, put some eucalyptus into your diffuser, which will help you breathe better and boost your spirits.
5 Peppermint
Drop some diluted peppermint essential oil onto your palms after the session. Cup them over your face, closing your eyes while taking in deep breathes. The minty fresh scent should perk you right up!
Essential Oils 101
If you’re feeling fatigued,
TRY LEMON
Citrusy scents can be a good pick-me-up, so if you’re going through a post-lunch slump (or nursing a hangover), just get a whiff of lemon to perk yourself up.
It purportedly helps with alertness and concentration too, so add it to your diffuser if you’re rushing against deadlines. Psst... you can also add a few drops of lemon essential oil to your laundry so your clothes smell extra fresh.
If you’re feeling stressed out,
TRY LAVENDER
This purple flowering plant from the mint family is noted for its calming properties, which is why it’s commonly used in room sprays and candles. So if you’re feeling stressed out, spray some lavender essential oil onto your bed sheet or pillow to help you get a good night’s rest. Also, if you feel like your blood pressure goes through the roof every time your boss talks to you, get a diffuser for your work desk.
If you’re feeling frisky,
TRY ROSE
According to a study published in the Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment Journal, men with major depressive disorders who also suffer from sexual dysfunction saw a heightened libido with the use of rose essential oil. Use a diluted version as a scent for sexy times, or as a massage oil, maybe?
If you’re feeling nauseated,
TRY PEPPERMINT
Remember how your grandma would rub some medicated oil on her temples when she’s feeling unwell? Well, peppermint works the same way, with the added bonus of smelling good to boot. You can simply sniff your bottle, add a few drops to your tea, or put a bit of it onto a handkerchief to use as an inhaler.
If you’re feeling sick,
TRY MYRRH
Known for its detoxing properties, a few drops of myrrh can purportedly help to expel toxins and mucus. It’s also a natural antioxidant and comes with anti-bacterial benefits, so diffuse this in your room when the flu bug is going around. Just remember that this is a complementary aid – you still need to see a doctor!
