Using Essential Oils in Your Yoga Practice

Published on November 2, 2014

Walk into almost any yoga studio these days and you are likely to notice that the pungent aroma of incense (not always a universal favorite) has been replaced by a far lighter olfactory experience: essential oils.  Some yoga teachers diffuse essential oils during class to enhance the uplifting experience of the asanas. Others anoint students with oil-infused hands as they drift into Shavasana. Some studios offer spray bottles filled with essential oil blends for students to wipe down sweaty mats at the end of class.

Whether they’re using sandalwood, patchouli, frankincense, eucalyptus or bergamot, these days yoga teachers are increasingly integrating essential oils into the yoga experience. And with good reason: These aromatic compounds—found in plant seeds, bark, stems, roots, and flowers—have long been a favorite with the aromatherapy crowd and those who tout the oils’ ability to enhance mental and emotional wellness, relieve sore muscles, and support physical and spiritual well-being.

Essential oils are increasingly being integrated into the holistic management and treatment of diseases for a wide range of illnesses including cancer, respiratory conditions, asthma, migraines and heart disease. They are also commonly used to boost immunity, help manage weight and diet, and treat the symptoms of menopause.

If you haven’t been introduced to essential oils, consider integrating them into your yoga practice. Testing their powers on the mat is a good way to gauge what works for you and what doesn’t. But be prepared: Everyone reacts differently to essential oils. One person’s go-to oil to relieve stress or headaches could be the catalyst of these for someone else. For example, most people find that lavender promotes restful sleep; but others can find the scent agitating, which leads to restlessness and insomnia.

Essential oils are potent (and rare), hence their relative high cost. But a drop or two usually go a long way. As a general rule, most essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin or ingested, as doing so can cause an adverse reaction, especially for people taking prescription medicines. If you are looking to integrate the oils topically or as dietary aids, do diligent research and consult with a qualified essential oils expert for guidance. Though essential oils are commonly sold in grocery stores and new-age boutiques, beware: Only high-quality therapeutic-grade oils—containing no artificial ingredients or chemical residues—should be used topically or ingested.

Three easy ways to use essential oils in your yoga practice:

Diffusing: Most oil companies sell diffusers that deliver a lovely fine mist of essential oils into your yoga space. Oil lamps offer a cost friendly way to diffuse oils. (These are great for the home too!)

Purifying: From lavender to sweet orange, and peppermint to oregano, essential oils can be used to cleanse and purify your yoga space, yoga mat, chairs and clothes.

Anointing: Touch is healing and powerful, and even more so when enhanced with essential oils. Using the right oil at the beginning of class can infuse energy into your class. Similarly, using the perfect oil just before Shavasana can boost the calming power of this restorative pose.

There are dozens and dozens of essential oils on the market, and even more proprietary blends. Introduce oils slowly to your practice, giving yourself the time to become aware of their properties and power, and learn how you (and those around you) react to them.

Some oils to consider trying:

  • For grounding: Ginger, patchouli, cedarwood
  • For  strengthening and centering: Sandalwood, cedarwood, myrrh, frankincense
  • To promote breath awareness and clear breathing: Peppermint, basil, eucalyptus, rosemary, myrrh, frankincense, cardamom
  • For calming: Lavender, geranium, chamomile, vetiver,
  • For spiritual nourishment: Bergamot, lemon, orange
  • To uplift: Cassia, clary sage, lemon, lime, white fir
  • To purify and cleanse: Arbovitae, grapefruit, lemon, lemongrass, wild orange,
  • To soothe sore muscles: Basil, coriander, cypress, lavender, rosemary, wintergreen

Remember, everyone reacts differently to fragrances, so whether you’e a yoga teacher or student, be mindful and respectful of those around you when using essential oils. Some studios ask students to refrain from using perfumes or oils before attending yoga class. If you’re a teacher who likes to use oils during assists or Shavasana, be sure to get permission from students before anointing them with scented hands.

How do you use essential oils in your yoga practice? What are your favorite scent combinations?

Not Sure Which Essential Oil to Use?

If you are not sure where to start in choosing an essential oil to incorporate in your yoga practice, you can take our yoga quiz: What Essential Oil Will Enhance Your Yoga Practice?

Take the Quiz!

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11 responses to “Using Essential Oils in Your Yoga Practice”

  1. Rajesh Avatar
    Rajesh

    Good article. I’ll definitely try asap to use oil during my practices. Thanks for the advice!

  2. Gina Avatar
    Gina

    I personally love essential oils, but I hesitate introducing them in class because of allergies and sensitivities. Are you aware of a go-to essential oil that is unlikely to trigger reactions? I know that some of my students react to lavendar, so I’m looking for something else that can be universally helpful. It may be a tall order ;)

  3. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    there are no “therapeutic grade” oils. That is sales hype generated to increase sales. Essential oils are not actually graded and there is no bench mark for quality industry wide. As essential Os are extremely concentrated they should Never be ingested and extreme care taken when applied topically. Peace to you

  4. RIVANA Avatar
    RIVANA

    Hi Ivey,
    Thank you so much for such an informative post.

  5. Kapur Shah Avatar
    Kapur Shah

    I Practice yoya with out oil but will try oil

    Thank you
    Kapur Shah

  6. ARA MAR Avatar
    ARA MAR

    thank you for your beautiful article. Ara

  7. oya Avatar
    oya

    thank you so much for sharing

  8. Cecilia Avatar
    Cecilia

    Hi…thank you for this article. I am having difficulty filling a good sized aerobics room with scent. I teach yin yoga at my community clubhouse. Do you have any suggestions. I TRIED a small diffuser…not effective at all. I could really use some aromatherapy suggestions. SPRAYS towels srops… not sure how deliver the oils during class.

  9. Shivam Avatar
    Shivam

    Loved the post. These oils really help in yoga practice.

  10. María Cortez Avatar
    María Cortez

    This is such a great resource for learning about the benefits of essential oils in yoga.I’m definitely going to add essential oils to my yoga practice.

  11. Leena S Avatar
    Leena S

    The caution about using high-quality therapeutic-grade oils is important. We should always prioritize our safety when using any product, especially if it involves our body or health.

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Ivey DeJesus Avatar
About the author
Ivey DeJesus embarked on her yoga journey years ago seeking healing for an achy back. Yoga has cultivated in her an awareness of intelligent movement and alignment, and imbued in her a reverence for the teachings of the Sutras. Ivey holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Maryland and received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification in 2011. She has completed prison yoga training with James Fox and this year embarked on her yoga therapy certification under the tutelage of Cora Wen. A news journalist by day, Ivey juggles work deadlines with her private and studio yoga classes. She practices yoga daily and is a student of the Sutras. She writes about yoga in her blog [email protected]. She and her husband are empty nesters and live in Pennsylvania. She welcomes feedback from readers. Follow her on Twitter @thepurplemat1.
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