Angie is a dear friend of mine and one of my biggest blogging and social media inspirations. She always somehow manages to do it all and answer every crazy question I throw at her about oils and business and just generally how the internet works.
When I started the #30to30MBY Yoga Challenge, I knew I wanted her to contribute in some way and she was kind enough to say yes and add one more thing to her already over flowing to-do list.
She not only wrote this fun and informative blog on using oils and aromatherapy during your yoga practice, but she is also donating the mat spray she discusses here to our growing list of raffle prizes! (Want to win? Sign up for my email list here!)
I could chat about how awesome she is all day long, but instead I’ll just let you see for yourself.
I found yoga a little over 2 years ago now. At the time, I was dealing with a physical issue I wanted to correct, and my searches kept pulling up yoga sequences to help with the issue.
I’d never considered yoga before, and wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into, but decided to give it a try. I was at a point where I’d try anything to help, and so I launched into a few simple yoga sequences to start learning.
What I didn’t know at the time, was that yoga was going to be the catalyst to help me overcome a lot of emotional issues I was dealing with, too.
I started practicing yoga to improve my physical health, but over time, I stuck with it because of how much it helped me emotionally.
Since I was already using essential oils on a regular basis, I decided to see how I could use them to support my yoga practice and improve my overall mental state.
Combining the two made for some really amazing progress, both mentally and physically.
I thought I’d share how I learned to enhance my yoga practice by incorporating oils!
Hopefully, by sharing how I use essential oils during my yoga practice, I can help someone else branch out, too.
One of my favorite ways to use essential oils during my practice is to diffuse emotional support blends.
I think diffusing oils during practice is the best way to get started if you aren’t comfortable around oils yet. Even if you don’t realize it, you’re already using scents to tie into your emotions.
Think about it. Do you ever smell something that just takes you back to a certain time and makes you feel a certain way? It’s pretty common, because our sense of smell is directly tied to the limbic system of our brain. (That’s the part of your brain that controls your emotions).
With aromatherapy, you can do this intentionally, by diffusing oils that have a positive or calming effect on your emotions.
Some of my favorite essential oils to diffuse during practice are:
- Frankincense and lavender: I call this my “Namaste” blend. It’s grounding, soothing, and really great for spiritual awareness. This is a great blend to diffuse if you’re going into meditation, but it can also be used during a really calming practice!
- Peppermint and/or RC: Both of these oils are great for opening your airways, which can really help get the oxygen flowing. Use one of these if you want some support for your breath during practice.
- Citrus Fresh: This is a blend I love to use just because it’s so happy. It’s an incredible mood booster, and freshens the air at the same time! If you’re in a bad mood before practice, this is a great oil to add to your diffuser.
- Peace and Calming: Stressed out? Trying to wind down before bed? Want to calm your mind? This oil blend is my go-to for all of those. Plus, I kind of think it smells like Fruity Pebbles, which is always appreciated.
You can also use essential oils topically to help support your yoga practice.
Not only can you use the oils aromatically, but you can apply oils to your skin for additional support! I love to roll Valor down my spine before practice. It’s got a grounding scent, but it’s also really great for spinal support.
A lot of yogis also love applying their favorite oil to their temples or wrists, which is a great option. I do this when I am at a class and don’t have a diffuser handy. Any of the blends above would be great to dilute and apply topically, but some other favorites of mine are:
- Tranquil Roll On: This is a pre-made roll on from Young Living. It’s a blend of Lavender, Chamomile, and Cedarwood. It’s incredibly calming, and it’s my favorite blend when I’m having a rough day emotionally! It really helps me calm down!
- Peace and Calming: Another great blend to help me calm down is Peace and Calming. It’s a blend of Ylang Ylang, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy and does exactly what it sounds like by providing a peaceful and calming environment.
- Peppermint: If I’m feeling sluggish or need to clear my mind, Peppermint can really help me open up and stay alert during practice. I also love adding this one to my legs to help wake them up before practice!
- PanAway: This oil is perfect to apply after practice when you’re feeling a little sore! I love rubbing down my calves and shoulders after a good practice!
Don’t forget your mat!
Be honest. How often do you remember to clean your yoga mat? Or are you maybe using one supplied by your gym?
It’s not something we tend to think about much until we actually notice a problem, but yoga mats get dirty. We’re on them with bare feet, sweating, and putting our oily faces on them. We’re laying them out on dirty floors and forgetting them in the trunks of our cars.
Our poor, neglected mats are practically begging us for some attention, and you can use your oils to do just that!
Oils can be used for more than just emotional support. In fact, many of them are great for cleaning. I came up with a spray that I use regularly on my mat that not only keeps it clean, but also makes it smell amazing!
Want to make one for yourself? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Alcohol free witch hazel
- Glass spray bottle (4 oz)
- Tea Tree essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
To make this spray, add 20 drops of tea tree oil, 20 drops of lavender oil, and about a tablespoon or two (I don’t measure, if I’m totally honest) of witch hazel to your glass bottle. Then, fill it the rest of the way with water! Give it a little shake before each use to make sure everything is properly dispersed, and then spray down your entire mat.
I tend to remember to spray mine about once a week, and usually do it after practice. The smell will last to your next class, but you won’t be dealing with a slippery mat.
Want to learn more about essential oils and total body wellness? Be sure to come join me on the blog or sign up for my newsletter for new blog posts and free resources!
Angie is a wife and mother of 2 girls. She is an avid volunteer worker, blogger, and essential oil enthusiast. On her blog, you can find information about natural living, making the most of your time, and many other topics that affect moms both working and staying at home. Read more on her blog and stay connected.
www.instagram.com/thirtysomethingangie
Melody Butler Yoga 