By Francesca Bonta
Curious about essential oils?
Holistic Health Expert Francesca Bonta shares her tips on how to use essential oils to support a deeper yoga practice and enhance its benefits.
Essential oils are increasingly being integrated into the holistic management and treatment of disease for a wide range of conditions, including stress management and sleep issues. They are also commonly used to boost immunity and bring an overall feeling of balance in the body.
If you haven’t been introduced to essential oils, consider integrating them into your yoga practice, or as part of your daily routine. Everyone reacts differently to essential oils, yet my experience has been that the benefits of the scents are received very well.
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 essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin, 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. Book a COMPLIMENTARY WELLNESS CONSULTATION WITH FRANCESCA However, not all essential oils are created equal, and only high-quality therapeutic-grade oils—containing no artificial ingredients or chemical residues—should be used topically or ingested.
3 Easy Ways To Incorporate 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, or any area of your home for that matter.
- Topically/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 Savasana can boost the calming power of this restorative pose.
- Natural Spray Purifier: From lavender to sweet orange, and peppermint to oregano and tea tree, essential oils can be diluted and used to cleanse and purify your yoga space, yoga mat, chairs and clothes.
Essential oils are used aromatically, topically, and internally in yoga classes primarily using Lemon, Lavender, and Peppermint allowing the essential oils to enhance the emotional support and therapy that yoga provides, besides the more obvious physical benefits. As a yoga instructor that uses DoTERRA I feel, “Essential oils create a bridge for both the novice and the expert who may have been doing yoga for a long time, but was never taught the purpose behind it. By using the essential oils, they can bridge that gap. When you breathe them in, you get it.”
Essential Oils Can Support a Deeper Practice
Mood Balancing and Grounding
Before you begin your practice, use Breathe™ to get centred and connect yourself more deeply to your breathing. Simply place a drop or two in your palms and bring them in a tent to your face. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.
Motivation For Your Body and Mind
Use Peppermint to get going. Place a few drops at the top of the mat and create a circle. Peppermint works a lot like a mantra; it helps you to focus, and has calming properties. It also is a great reminder to breathe.
A Deeper, More Restful Savasana
Use Balance™ right before Savasana. Place the oil on your feet to help you relax into the pose.
About Francesca
Francesca Bonta is a Holistic Health Specialist and the Founder and Owner of Karma Lifestyle. Holistic Healing including Energy Work, Yoga, Nutrition, Essential Oils, Herbs & overall Health & Fitness have been part of Francesca’s life for 40 years. She holds an Honours Degree from the University of Western Ontario in Nutrition, Certified Advanced Yoga Teacher E-RYT 500 & Therapeutic Yoga Specialist, Chakra Therapeutics Practitioner, Usui Reiki Master & Therapeutic Touch, Mindfulness-Based Chronic Pain & Stress Management Certified & Essential Oil Wellness Practitioner. She has studied & practiced in multiple countries around the world. Through her experiences she developed her own unique practice of healing arts.
Francesca offers private healing sessions that incorporate a variety of modalities to meet the needs of each client, as well as group retreats and trainings.
BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY WELLNESS CONSULTATION WITH FRANCESCA OR PURCHASE ESSENTIAL OILS
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