Similar to how avocado complements toast or acai goes well with granola, yoga and essential oils can be a great combination. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting, using these aromatic oils in your daily practice can offer some benefits.
Feeling unsteady during your vinyasa flow? Certain essential oils can help you feel more grounded. Want to create a calming atmosphere in your yoga space? There are diffuser blends for that. And let’s be honest, yoga mats can get a little smelly. Essential oils can help freshen things up there, too.
Interested in exploring how essential oils can enhance your yoga experience, whether at a studio or at home? Let’s take a look at some popular essential oils for yoga and their potential benefits for your practice.
Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Yoga
1. Enhance Focus and Relaxation
Yoga challenges both your body and mind. Holding poses requires concentration and strength.
Certain essential oils, like citrus scents, can bring a boost of energy to your daily yoga routine. In addition to this, applying a blend of bergamot, cedarwood, and grapefruit to pulse points or your chest before class can help you feel more relaxed and aware.
2. Promote Relaxation and Stress Relief
Practicing yoga in daily life itself is a fantastic way to manage stress and anxiety, but essential oils can offer additional support. Through aromatherapy, calming essential oils like lavender, bergamot, and orange can create a soothing atmosphere that helps you unwind and de-stress before your practice begins.
3. Supports cardiovascular and Circulatory Health
Essential oils contain various active compounds that may help promote relaxation in your nervous system. For instance, some oils, like black pepper, are believed to encourage better blood circulation, which could contribute to a quicker recovery after your yoga session.
4. Natural Cleaning Properties
Certain essential oils, such as frankincense, tea tree, and citrus oils, possess inherent antibacterial qualities. This can be helpful if you practice yoga at home, as these oils can be used to create a natural cleaning spray for your yoga mat. A popular recipe combines witch hazel, lemon oil, tea tree oil, and water. This solution can not only help keep your mat clean but may also uplift your mood and freshen the air around you.
5. Support Injury Recovery:
Performing challenging yoga poses can sometimes lead to muscle soreness. Essential oils, with their anti-inflammatory properties, can be helpful in these situations. They may help you soothe discomfort, improve circulation, and potentially help in faster muscle healing. Apply the oils before or after your yoga practice for the maximum benefit.
6. Enhance Mood and Focus
Essential oils go beyond simply providing a burst of energy. Certain oils, like cardamom, can promote a sense of calm and positivity, which can be very beneficial for yoga practice. This can contribute to overall well-being for both your body and mind.
Top Essential Oils for Yoga
Let’s explore some of the most common types of essential oils below:
1. Lavender Oil
Known for its calming and stress-relieving properties, lavender oil is a common choice in yoga studios. After your practice, adding a few drops of lavender oil to your bath can help you to create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.
2. Cedarwood Oil
Extracted from various parts of cedar trees, cedarwood oil has a warm, woodsy scent that promotes a sense of well-being and energy. This grounding oil can help with emotional balance during your workout, making you feel more connected during poses like the mountain pose, tree pose, or warrior pose.
Cedarwood oil may also boost your energy levels during workouts. You can try massaging a few drops onto your chest before practice. Another benefit is that cedarwood oil is a natural insect repellent. If you’re planning outdoor yoga swings, applying some around your workout area can help keep bugs away.
3. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense Oil is linked to deeper breathing and mindfulness. It can help you focus on your breath and may improve your meditation.
4. Peppermint Oil
Intense yoga poses can leave you feeling sore after your workout. Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which can help soothe muscle soreness. Consider adding a few drops to your bathwater after a tough session.
Peppermint oil is also invigorating, which can be helpful if you’re feeling sluggish during your practice. Plus, the menthol in it can provide a cooling sensation after a sweaty workout.
5. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil comes from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. You might recognise its scent from some household products like fragrances or ointments. It’s also used in massage oils because it can be relaxing and soothing.
If your yoga routine includes a lot of challenging poses, eucalyptus oil might be a helpful addition. It’s known to ease muscle pain and soreness, and its cooling properties can be refreshing for your body after a demanding yoga session.
Practical Ways to Incorporate Essential Oils into Your Yoga Practice
Option 1: Diffuse for Continuous Scents
The most straightforward way to use essential oils during yoga is with a diffuser. A diffuser can run quietly throughout your session, filling the air with a gentle aroma. Choose a medium-sized diffuser for optimal results in your yoga space.
Option 2: Create a Room Spray
Another option is to make a simple room spray with essential oils. Combine a few drops of your chosen oil with water in a spray bottle. Mix well and spritz the air lightly before your practice begins. This will allow you to surround yourself with the calming scents of nature. Here’s a tip: for 3 ounces of water, use 15-20 drops of essential oil.
Option 3: Refresh Your Eye Pillow
We all love those comfortable eye pillows! Many come pre-filled with lavender, but the scent can fade over time. To revive it, add a drop of a calming oil like lavender or chamomile for a deeply relaxing Savasana pose.
Option 4: Inhale the Aromas
At the start of your practice or during Savasana, place a drop of essential oil on your palm. Rub your hands together to warm and activate the oil. Gently cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply. Release your hands as you exhale and repeat two or three more times.
Enhance Your Space with HEM Fragrances
Create a tranquil and uplifting atmosphere with HEM Fragrances. Their wide range of essential oils, incense sticks, scented candles, and room sprays is designed to promote relaxation and well-being. Whether you want to enhance your yoga and meditation practice with grounding aromas or simply refresh your home with soothing scents, HEM has the perfect fragrance for you. From purifying incense to calming essential oils, each product is thoughtfully crafted to bring peace, positivity, and harmony into your space. Experience the power of aromatherapy and elevate your daily routine with HEM Fragrances!
Closing Thoughts
By incorporating essential oils into your yoga practice, you can create a more enriching experience and unlock a deeper sense of mind-body connection. Whether you’re seeking focus, relaxation, or simply a more enjoyable atmosphere, there’s an essential oil to match your needs. So, grab your mat, select your favourite scents, and breathe deeply as you flow into a state of pure bliss.
