The first time I used essential oils in yoga, I did not even plan to. My Pilates friend had brought an orange and lavender-scented small roller bottle. She rolled some on her wrists prior to us starting our stretching, and the whole room felt more relaxed. Since then, essential oils have been a part of my own little stretching and yoga ritual.
There is something instinctive about pairing conscious movement and aroma that simply feels natural. The aroma enables the body to release tension more easily, the mind to focus more, and the whole experience to be a momentary instant of self-love.
This post is all about essential oils for yoga
Why Essential Oils and Yoga Go So Well Together
Stretching and yoga are about balancing body and mind. Movement is guided by the breath, and the senses follow. Scent is a quiet powerful force in achieving this. When the brain perceives a relaxing or stimulating scent, it instructs the body to relax or become alert appropriately.
A pleasant aroma makes releasing tension sooner than you can imagine. Muscles are more easily relaxed, and focus feels more intuitive. And there’s the extra security of doing something that will nourish body and spirit.
My First Time Using Essential Oils While Stretching
A few years ago, I started gentle morning stretches after waking up. I decided one morning to light a candle and add some eucalyptus oil to a diffuser. The room smelled of this fresh, energizing aroma, and suddenly my slow stretches became more energizing. Since that day, using essential oils before, or instead of, yoga has been part of my process of self-care.
I sometimes switch fragrances depending on the season. During winter, sweet oils like cinnamon or clove make the atmosphere cozy. During spring, flower scents like rose or geranium are invigorating.
Utilizing Essential Oils in Yoga or Stretching
Essential oils can be used in many different ways before or after yoga. These are some of my preferred methods, which I do not apply all at once:
Diffuser: Add a few drops to an essential oil diffuser before use. The subtle scent mingles with the air and sets the mood.
Topical: Sometimes I mix a single or two drops with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil, and just apply to my wrists, temples, or back of the neck (completely optional, but I do it instead of applying perfume).
Yoga mat spray: Combine water, witch hazel, and a few drops of oil into a tiny spray bottle. Spray your mat before practice to rejuvenate the space.
Experiment with techniques and see what is best for your practice. Here is another thing. Sometimes, there are moments when I just don’t feel like dealing with diffusers or mixing oils (maybe because I don’t have much time), I like to rely on scented candles. There is just something about lighting a candle before yoga that feels like setting an intention. The small flame makes the space feel warm and that becomes one of my favorite rituals during the fall, when it starts to gets darker until later (I often wake up early, so it is often dark). Mostly I buy candles that already have essential oils in them, like lavender or frankincense. The smell fills the room softly, and the light feels calming. When I do evening yoga or quiet stretches before bed, this is my favorite part of the night routine, I light up a candle. It is simple, relaxing, and somehow feels kind more personal.
The Best Essential Oils for Yoga and Stretching
These are some of the key essential oils that pair beautifully with yoga practice. Each has somewhat of a different energy or gift to your practice.
Lavender
Lavender is always a gentle and comforting choice. For a bit more of a year, I have often used it in my bed, to help me fall into sleep. But after, I decided to try it during some meditation sessions, and after during the yoga time, and I’m enjoying it. The scent encourages relaxation, eases stress, and facilitates unwinding after a long and stressful day. Several drops in a diffuser during quiet yoga provides a peaceful atmosphere.
Peppermint
Peppermint gives a cooling and invigorating feeling. Morning yoga or anytime you need a wake-up call for brain clarity, it’s perfect. The aroma heightens alertness and can be helpful in clearing the head during the breathing exercise.
Frankincense
Frankincense is grounding and spiritual. It is utilized by most in meditation or in gentle yoga sequences. The woody aroma relaxes the mind and increases focus. Oh, this one, I personally find it perfect for the colder days because, in a certain way, it gives me a warmer feeling.
Sweet Orange
The bright and citrusy aroma of sweet orange oil is uplifting on those days of low motivation. A couple of drops in a diffuser encourage a bright, euphoric mood. I find fragrant often strong, but within the limit of acceptable. I already tried two different brands, and your room will keep this lovely smell for hours, and although the name says “sweet” actually, they are not excessively sweet.
My Favorite Yoga Blend
Getting the right one for me was not a straightforward thing. I failed a couple of times, like creating a blend that was overempowering. You know…Like I barely could concentrate as the smell was too strong in the room. Over time, I created my own little blend, just right, that performs just so perfectly for slow yoga mornings:
2 drops lavender
2 drops sweet orange
1 drop frankincense
The result smells like calm sunshine in a bottle. It is relaxing, but you cannot let it go unnoticed that subtle citric smell of sweet orange. I think it is the perfect balance for the relaxing parts of yoga exercises and “not so relaxing” exercises, mainly for those starting now with yoga, like me. What I often like doing is sprinkling a few drops into my diffuser before stretching, and I feel immediately grounded and renewed.
Why I Love This Routine
Together with aromatherapy, yoga changed my entire practice of self-care, as it is part of a bigger goal to become a better self. Aromas and movement together bring a greater awareness, balance, and peace. Every time I roll out my mat and breathe in that subtle smell, I remember to ease up and come back home.
There’s something also nice about having a little ritual of your own, it is also how you can, in a simple way romanticize simple moments of your everyday life. Lighting the candle, turning on the diffuser, taking deep breaths, it’s all a kind of meditation.
