Taking yoga classes or practicing yoga at home can help with strength, flexibility, and focus. Yoga is also a great way to relieve stress naturally and promote emotional balance. It combines postures, breathing, relaxation, and meditation.
Add essential oils into your yoga routine to enjoy even greater emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits. Aromatherapy can help you improve your practice and strengthen the mind-body connection.
Yoga and essential oils go hand in hand to enhance your overall wellbeing. When used in a class setting, yoga instructors may notice more alert, receptive, uplifted, and present students. Read more about yoga benefits.
Find out how to aromatize your routine, whether you are practicing at home, going to a yoga class, or are a yoga instructor.
Benefits of Using Essential Oils When Practicing Yoga
If you’re looking for a way to manage your stress and find some peace, look no further than using essential oils in your daily practice of yoga. Yoga and essential oils work together seamlessly to help you achieve total peace and wellbeing during your next session.
Essential oils may help:
- Boost Energy
- Increase Focus
- Relieve Stress & Tension
- Soothe Sore Muscles
- Improve Mood
- Enhance Breathing
- Heighten Spiritual Awareness
- Bring Mental Clarity
- Calm the Mind
Essential Oils for Yoga
The use of essential oils for yoga can improve physical, mental, and spiritual health.
When determining what essential oil you want to use, think of how you would like the oil to enhance your practice. Generally speaking, floral oils are calming and soothing, citrus oils are energizing and uplifting, and woody oils are grounding.
While a large variety of essential oils can be used during your yoga practice, here are some favorites:
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
Mentha piperita, Buy Here
- Minty aroma that is refreshing
- Offers uplifting and energizing actions
- Awakens the senses
- Stimulates new ideas and creativity
- Promotes mental clarity and focus
2. Cedarwood Essential Oil
Juniperus virginiana, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Soft, woody aroma that opens breathing
- Soothes the nervous system
- Offers a peaceful sense of confidence
3. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Santalum album/Santalum spicatum, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Warm, Woody aroma that is relaxing
- Supports deeper meditation
- Encourages self-acceptance
- Evokes feelings of peace
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavandula angustifolia, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Sweet, floral aroma that is calming
- Soothes and balances emotions
- Promotes a sense of well being
- Restores the mind and body
5. Lemon Essential Oil
Citrus limon, Phototoxic, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Crisp, clean, and bright aroma that is purifying
- Invites happiness and positive energy
- Promotes health and healing
- Invigorates the senses
6. Cypress Essential Oil
Cupressus sempervirens, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Fresh, evergreen aroma that is uplifting
- Supports a healthy respiratory system
- Provides emotional strength
- Offers comfort during times of grief and sadness
7. Grapefruit Essential Oil
Citrus paradisi, Phototoxic, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Tangy, citrus aroma that is uplifting
- Instills a sense of balance
- Brings a brighter mood
- Relieves mental fatigue
8. Bergamot Mint Essential Oil
Mentha Citrata, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Fresh, fruity aroma with a hint of mint
- Promotes motivation and activity
- Evokes feelings of inspiration
- Combats everyday stress and tension
9. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus radiata, Buy Here
- Refreshing, medicinal aroma that offers cooling effects
- Supports healthy breathing
- Promotes mental motivation
- Brings energy, focus, and optimism
10. Frankincense Essential Oil
Boswellia carterii, OK for Kids 2+ Buy Here
- Earthy, resinous aroma that brings tranquility
- Helps with focus and meditation
- Promotes feelings of balance
- Eases impatience and restlessness
- Heightens spiritual awareness
How to Use Essential Oils for Yoga Practice
When used properly, essential oils can be powerful and healing to the mind and body.
There are some words of caution to keep in mind. Be respectful when using oils in a yoga class setting. Loading up on peppermint oil may be stimulating to you, but it could be distracting to others around you.
You also may not want to try a new oil right before starting a yoga routine, it could turn out to be an unfavorable aroma for you. One time I used a premade blend on my wrists with an aroma that I initially loved. About 15 minutes after having it on, it was just too overpowering but I was stuck with it through the workout.
Experiment with oils to see what YOU enjoy most. Here are some ways to incorporate oils:
Diffuse Oils
One easy way to enjoy aromatherapy during yoga is with an ultrasonic essential oil diffuser. I recommend diffusing citrus oils like grapefruit, tangerine, lime, lemon, or orange. These oils are uplifting yet are not too overpowering. Citrus oils also help reduce airborne microbes, especially helpful in a class setting.
Apply Oils to Skin
Use essential oils topically on wrists, neck, or upper chest. This way you will be able to inhale them as you are going through your routine. Be sure to use properly diluted essential oils using a carrier oil. Recommended level is a 2% dilution for a healthy adult. That equals about 12 drops of essential oils per one ounce of carrier oil.
If using a roller bottle (10 ml), for a 2% dilution you only need 4 drops of essential oil, then fill the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil like jojoba oil. Roller bottles are convenient. Make one ahead of time so you are ready for a mess free application prior to your yoga routine.
Wear an Essential Oil Necklace
One reason I love using a diffuser necklace with my essential oils is because I can keep the aroma in my personal space. While many people love using essential oils, not everyone does.
Using diffuser jewelry lets you enjoy aromatherapy effects without inconveniencing others around you. Especially great when at a yoga class, you can inhale the aroma from your necklace without offending anyone.
Yoga Routine Diffuser Blends
Add essential oils to diffuser with recommended water for your diffuser tank. Read more about diffusing essential oils. I like to use a 100-200 ml water tank diffuser but you can use whatever size you prefer.
Mental Awake Diffuser Blend |
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We all know that feeling, we’re stuck in a funk, can’t get motivated to do anything, and feel like we’re just dragging through the day. Maybe you’ve tried drinking more coffee or taking a nap, but sometimes those tricks just don’t cut it. That’s where essential oils come in! This is one of my favorite blends for when I need an energy boost. It contains grapefruit, cypress, and peppermint essential oils, which are known for their energizing and uplifting properties. Give it a try next time you need a little pick-me-up before or after your yoga routine!
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Focused Breathing Diffuser Blend |
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People who do yoga know that deep breathing is an important part of the practice. But did you know that essential oils can help make your yoga breathing even more effective? Try out this essential oil blend for your yoga routine.
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Centered Diffuser Recipe |
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Ever been in a situation where you just need to get out of your head? Whether it’s from stress, anxiety, or just an overwhelming day. We have the perfect blend to diffuse before and during your yoga routine so you can center yourself.
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Yoga Time Oil Blend |
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This yoga essential oil blend is exactly what you need to take a deep breath and relieve yourself of any worries. From its calming smell to its therapeutic properties, this is one yoga routine blend we know you’ll love.
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Peace on Earth Diffuser Blend |
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Yoga is a great way to stay in shape, relieve stress and feel the peace of mind that comes with quieting your thoughts. Essential oils can help you achieve this goal by bringing about feelings of calm, relaxation and wellness. Some popular essential oils for yoga include myrrh oil and sandalwood oil. Try this peaceful oil blend.
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Final Thoughts On Yoga Routine Essential Oils
Not every oil works for everyone. Different oils offer you different therapeutic benefits. Determine your goals: Do you want to relax, calm tension, and de-stress? Or are you looking to energize and wake up your mind? Perhaps you are looking to increase your spiritual awareness.
No matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find essential oils for yoga that will enhance your routine, you just have to find what works for you best.
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