How to Enhance Yoga with Essential Oils
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Aroma Yoga
Like yoga, the practice of aromatherapy seeks to support the body, mind, and spirit. Essential oils achieve their effects through the application to the skin and diffusion. Essential oils are absorbed through the skin into the blood stream, so simply rubbing the oil into the skin puts the oil where it is needed.
Some of the benefits of aromatherapy while performing yoga is increased stamina, relief of muscle tension, deeper focus and mental clarity and strengthened body-mind connection. The benefits you seek will depend on the poses you perform as well as which essential oils you use while performing yoga routines.
Yoga, the Traditional Way
Traditionally, incenses were a major aspect of the yoga experience. But, recent yoga settings have prevented the inclusion of incense or any type of perfume because someone may be allergic to the fumes.
Yoga with Essential Oils
The Best Nature Has to Offer
Practitioners have looked for another method. Hence, the inclusion of essential oils to aid in relaxation and help focus and train the mind and body. The benefits have been quite profound. Essential oils aid in attaining the relaxation that is so important in the yoga experience. Further studies show that essential oils also help sharpen the mind to increase memory retention and the ability to take note of minute details.It is virtually impossible to be allergic to pure, therapeutic grade essential oils as they do not contain proteins or polypeptides. This may not be true of "perfume" or lesser quality oils.
How do Essential Oils Work?
The sense of smell is powerful. Beyond detecting odors, it provides the easiest and quickest way to to the brain. Depending on the type of oil, the result on the body may be calming or stimulating.
Pure plant derived oils may be applied directly to the skin or mixed with another substance (such as a carrier oil) and then put on the skin, sprayed in the air, inhaled or taken internally. You can also massage the oils into the skin or pour them into bath water.
Essential Oils Enhance the Three Points of Yoga
Essential oils may be used to support the three points of yoga:1. Meditation (dhyana):
We should strive to entertain positive and creative thoughts, as these will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind.
2. Proper Breathing (pranayama):
Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.
3. Proper Exercise (asana):
Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind, and spiritual life.
Sacred Frankincense
Enhances Meditation
Sacred Frankincense is ideal for use when a deeper spiritual connection is desired. It's suggested placing a small amount of the oil between your eyebrows (Ajna chakra) or, for those seeking more emotional focus, rubbing some of this soothing essential oil on the sternum (Anahata chakra). Focusing on either of these energy centers, while breathing in Sacred Frankincense, will facilitate the quieting of the mind.There are many essential oils that benefit mediation. Put a drop of cedarwood on chest and third eye to inhale during inward poses. For more guided experience, consider incorporating Young Living's Abundance, Release, or Forgiveness blends into your practice.
Meditation is very personal. Choosing an essential oil or oil blend that works best for you will help you meet specific meditative goals.
Proper Breathing Clears Toxins
In yoga, the most powerful part of breathing seeks to unify body and mind. Yogis prolong the pauses, and maximize the inhalations and exhalations in a way that benefits their health and state of mind.
Some people get a little panicky with breath work. Allow yourself to feel uncertain and don't be afraid of a brief period of uncertainty. You're learning a great tradition that will be good for you. Allow yourself to be a student of this new way of creating and managing your energy.
Raven Essential Oil
Facilitates Deep Breathing
Many essential oils can facilitate deep breathing and they can be diffused throughout the practice to enhance parayama.My favorite blend for this purpose is Raven. In this proprietary blend the spicy, warm scent of Ravensara is combined with lemon, wintergreen, peppermint, and Eucalyptus radiata essential oils. When diffused, the unique tones of Raven will aid in opening airways, and focusing the mind and body on proper breathing techniques.
Diffusing Essential Oils
TheraPro Premium Diffuser is Great
Diffusing is a simple and easy way to use essential oils. When inhaled, the oils are easily absorbed through the lungs.
Diffusing essential oils in the air has powerful effects on body, mind, and spirit. Many essential oils are known for their ability to kill microbes in the air, thus reducing the concentration of pathogens you may be inhaling or touching. The essential oils also have an uplifting effect on the mind. Your space will smell nicer and more pleasant. Essential oils fortify your immune system to prevent you from catching an illness.
Many essential oils can be used for this. Eucalyptus Radiata and R.C. are excellent choices. Diffuse these oils to your heart's content.
TheraPro Premium is an essential oil atomizer capable of diffusing any Young Living essential oil or blend.
Aroma Tips and Techniques
To keep cool and clean:
- 1Mix 5-7 drops of Aroma Siez, Joy, Thieves, lavender, or peppermint oil with 4 ounces of water in a spritzer bottle to keep refreshed; spray face (avoid the eyes) and body.
- 2Use peppermint oil on the feet to stay cool.
- 3Drink bottled water mixed with a drop of peppermint or lemon oil for added freshness.
- 4Use Thieves Spray to cleanse and disinfect your Yoga mat.
- 5Use Gathering essential oil blend diluted with water in a spritzer bottle when teaching in a new studio or with a group of students.
Essential Oil Checklist
- 1Don't use in the eyes or ears as these membranes are very delicate and sensitive.
- 2Don't use inferior quality or adulterated oils. Mostly likely, they will not produce therapeutic results and may even be harmful.
- 3Do use the purest quality oils available - make sure they are therapeutic grade quality.
Aromatherapy & Yoga Books
Body-Mind DVDs
Awakening the Spine
Yoga Gear at Amazon
References
- Yoga, it can Change Your Life
- An 80 year old instructor shares her stay young poses.
- Christy Turlington Names Raven a Favorite
- Supermodel Christy Turlington names Young Living's Raven Essential Oil Blend as a favorite yoga and lifestyle product.
- Wellness Solutions
- Young Living explains the benefits of using essential oils with yoga for health and wellness.
Essential Oil Resources for Yogis and Yoginis
- Young Living Essential Oils
- Young Living compliments the yogic lifestyle better than any other oil company because of their deep commitment to sustainability and organic farming. Learn more at the website and use referral code #703949.
Aromatherapy and Yoga Guestbook
There are a lot of reasons to be excited about the health benefits of essential oils and yoga. What stands out in your mind?
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JoshK47
Mar 30, 2012 @ 3:47 pm | delete
- Very interesting read! Thanks for sharing!
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Ernestine King
Jun 26, 2009 @ 9:21 am | delete
- Hi Faye,
WOW!!! Excellent! I learned so much!
Blessings,
Ernestine
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tally Dec 17, 2008 @ 11:02 am | delete
- Hello Faye,
Great lens!!!! I am giving you 5***** stars. You have touched on a subject topic "Yoga" that means a whole lot to me. I just love yoga and I also use the essential oils when I attend
my yoga classes. When I got your email on Yoga and YL essential oils I had to come and
read all of the great information you shared here. Well let me stop talking I could go on and
on about this topic. I live and breathe yoga and essential oil. P.S. I am going to mark this one as a favorite.
Luv, Tally
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by faye_durham
Health care consultant in natural health care, I am passionate about all things natural, as God designed it. Part of my mission is to empower people t... more »
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