Essential oils and aromatherapy for yoga
I have been asked what I recommend of essential oils and aromatherapy for yoga and it’s a difficult question to answer because our personal connection to aromas is so individual. Some love lavender. Others hate it…
In my previous pose Using essential oils in yoga class I discussed how some of the ways we can use essential oils and aromatherapy for yoga – so the natural question is which ones?
Here I will just share some of my personal favourites. I have many so this is a small selection. Although I’m an aromatherapist I won’t go into details about the very specific benefits or research. This is just for information and inspiration on what essential oils and aromatherapy you might consider for your yoga. Please do your own research – especially if you have health concerns (or pets!).
Top essential oils for yoga
Rosemary is very clearing, refreshing and stimulating for the mind. It is excellent for concentration too. I like blending it with lemon which is also very refreshing and sharp. So if I feel a bit tired, or have been working on the computer and just feel spaced out this is my blend. I also love using this in the morning to wake up.
Oils from trees are generally very grounding and soothing. Just think of sandalwood and frankincense both used in spiritual and religious ceremonies. These are both two firm favourites.
I use frankincense in my diffuser. It feels very calming, it supports the breathing, its grounding yet fresh.
Sandalwood is so beautiful. So soothing, cooling and calming for the mind. It is no wonder these two oils are used in so many places for meditation and prayer. Having said that, sandalwood is very expensive and I use a blend called meditation which has both sandalwood and frankincense in along with other grounding meditative relaxing yet uplifting essential oils in. I have both the pure essential oil blend and the roll-on.
Cypress is another wood oil. I read somewhere (probable a quote from Battaglia’s book) that it was excellent for replenishing a tired nervous system (or something along those lines). And I agree. It really does feel soothing on the nervous system yet it is also a refreshing aroma.
Citrus oils like orange, bergamot, lemon and grapefruit are all happy and uplifting oils which I love to add to a blend. (Have a look HERE for the full selection)
I want to share the Women’s Balance blend which is much more floral and sweet. It’s a balancing blend of relaxing patchouli, uplifting geranium, nurturing rose and rejuvenating frankincense. This comes as a roll-on as well.
Right now you can get a pure essential oil blend + roll for just £20. Just press “add to bag” and then add one of each
So these are just some of the oils and blends I enjoy at the moment. But having quite an extensive collection I mix and match to how I feel at the time.
How many essential oils do you need?
You don’t need lots of oils. Simply the ones you enjoy. Perhaps a tree oil (like cypress or frankincense) and a citrus oil. Then add a “balancer” like geranium or lavender. Or start with a blend such as the grounding earthy calming Meditation blend or the floral sweet Women’s Balance. They both come as a pure essential oil blend you can add to a diffuser or vegetable/base oil and as a blended roll-on you can apply directly to the skin.
I get most of my essential oils from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Many are Soil Association Organic certified. For the essential oils that aren’t organic, wherever possible they’re wild-crafted, grown in their natural habitat. In addition to this, NYR actively support fair trade and the ethical, sustainable sourcing of ingredients. They are all 100% pure. NYR is a member of the UK’s Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC). Please have a look at my shop page here
(Disclaimer: I love NYR and have used the products for years and years therefore I am now a NYRO consultant meaning I have a shop page where may get a commission without any cost to the customer)