Blissful Sleep with Essential Oils on Your Feet

One of the most precious commodities for vibrant health is a good night’s sleep. Although there are many factors that affect the quality of your sleep, consider using essential oils on the bottoms of your feet before bedtime. According to Civilized Health, who reviews essential oil brands, doing so can help you drop in, unwind, relax, and then experience blissful sleep.

To enhance your slumber, place a drop or two of any essential oil from the list below in your palms. Gently rub your hands together, cup your hands to your nose for a deep inhalation, and then rub the essential oils on the bottom of your feet.

6 Essential oils for Blissful Sleep

The following essential oils are known to have relaxing qualities to promote a restful night’s sleep.

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a scent that’s a wonderful blend of fresh, floral, clean, and calm.

• Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) has a warm, woodsy aroma that creates a comforting, uplifting experience.

• Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata) means “flower of flowers.” This sweet flower has been used to cover the beds of newlywed couples on their wedding night because this powerful oil helps balance male and female energies. It also supports focus and restores peace.

• Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanoides) comes from a perennial grass native to tropical regions in Asia. It has an earthy, exotic aroma that has a cooling effect on the body and the mind.

• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is produced from the distillation of the botanical’s root. This unique and grounding fragrance is calming to the mind and soothing to the muscles. Valerian can even help detoxify emotions for a sweet night’s sleep.

• Bergamot (Citrus aurantium bergamia) has a tart, sweet and uplifting aroma that can induce relaxation. It is a wonderful oil to blend with Valerian and/or Cedarwood.

Sweet Dream Foot Rub Blend

Combine three drops of Vetiver, five drops of Lavender, and two drops of Ylang Ylang. Mix in a tablespoon of Jojoba or Sweet Almond carrier oil.

Massage to the bottoms of your feet before bedtime in order to enjoy blissful sleep.

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post 6 Essential Oils to Support Blissful Sleep appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Seventh Chakra Practices to Develop Mental Clarity

Yoga, meditation, and polarity exercises combined with aromatherapy can help us integrate mind, body, and spirit while promoting mental clarity and simultaneously releasing stress and angst. The language of the chakra system offers a vocabulary to help us navigate this process.

The Chakra System

The chakra system is composed of seven primary energy centers that are located along the midline of the spinal column. Each chakra, or wheel of energy, generates, assimilates, and expresses the life force known as prana. Prana is often translated to mean breath, and this energy is carried on our breath.

Each of these energy centers correlates to a specific emotion and element. Starting at the base of the spine, the root chakra is the most earth-bound. The crown chakra is the most ethereal.

The crown is the seventh chakra. In Sanskrit its name is Sahasrara, which is a thousand-petal lotus. Its energies connect us to inner peace, joy, and enlightenment.

Through dedicated practice, we can allow the true nature of the thousand-petal lotus to blossom in a state of divine transcendence.

“The true nature of the seventh Chakra is beyond human comprehension. No words can do it justice. When our crown chakra is cleansed and open we experience divine union and cosmic love, stretching out forever.” -Gary Z McGee

Balance and the Crown Chakra for Mental Clarity

When the crown chakra is over-activated, we may express our tendency to be hyper-intellectualized. We may feel confused, or even disconnected from our bodies. On the other end of the spectrum, an under-active crown chakra can increase our feelings of spiritual cynicism, or exacerbate learning difficulties, apathy, or materialism. When we are disconnected here, we may have trouble even wanting to be on Earth.

The qualities of the crown chakra in a state of balance can include feeling connected to the universal consciousness and trusting your role in the bigger scheme of the universe.

Cultivate the highest potential of the crown chakra through a combination of therapeutic grade essential oils, yoga, polarity therapy, meditation, and affirmation.

Essential Oils to Enhance Mental Clarity and the Crown Chakra

• Frankincense: Grounding, while simultaneously encouraging a more elevated mindset.
• Lavender: Calming and soothing. Promotes new perspectives.
• Petigrain: Uplifts and refreshes, reduces mental fatigue. Traditionally used to improve memory.
• Vetiver: Grounding, stabilizing, calming and relaxing. Known as a circulatory stimulant.

Applications
Place a drop or two of the essential oil on your left palm, gently rub your palms together three times and bring them close to your nose creating a scent tent. Deeply inhale the aroma and imagine that the molecules penetrate your brain, your lungs, and your entire being.

Meditations and Affirmations for Mental Clarity and the Crown Chakra

I now clear away all foreign energy from my crown area. I reclaim this sacred place and invite the Light of my higher Self to shine here and now. In this moment, I establish a center of awareness and ask that my soul be there in its shining radiance. Here and now, I allow the three-fold being-ness – that of the body, the mind, and the spirit – to come into balance. I am Spirit. I am the living energy that flows through my mind and body, cognizant of Divine Will. In this meditation, I invoke the quiet joy of knowing my Self. I am Light, Love, and Power!

As you state the affirmation, bring your attention to your breath. As you deepen your breath, feel the presence of the positive words, the energy of the essential oils, and the intuition and insight of the crown chakra throughout your entire body. Feel the effect of its wordless will. Release your ambitions and desires, knowing they will be manifested according to your spiritual will. Relax and smile.

Photo of Grace Flowers by David Young-Wolff. Clothing by Silly Yogi

Tratak: The Meditation of Sight and Insight

Meditation while gently gazing at a candle flame is a practice that develops inner knowing. As you practice, try to maintain focus on the flame itself, rather than the candle or wick. Do this as long as possible without blinking. If thoughts come up, become aware of them and then let them go. Continue to observe the flame until you cannot keep your eyes open. You may experience tears flowing; when this happens, shut your eyes.

When you close the eyes, you may see an after-image of the flame. As the impression of the candle begins to fade away completely, bring your awareness back to your breath. Begin to watch the flow of breath for about seven to eight breaths, then open your eyes and repeat one more time.

Yoga Asanas for Mental Clarity

Photo of Grace Flowers by David Young-Wolff. Clothing by Silly Yogi

Viparita Karani: Legs Up the Wall

In this pose, if you are flexible enough, the floor of the pelvis and the back of the thighs can be directly against the wall. If this does not work for your body, move your upper body slightly away from the wall.

Some of the benefits of this inversion include mental clarity, refreshed thinking, easing of headaches, and even reduction of jet lag. This inversion should not be done if you have glaucoma or hypertension.

Photo of Grace Flowers by David Young-Wolff. Grace is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi.

Savasana: Relaxation Pose

Sit on the floor with legs together and parallel. Press the legs into the ground and extend through the heels. Lower the back body onto the ground, pressing the elbows into the mat while moving the shoulder blades downward. Tuck in the buttocks and push through the heels, allowing the feet to drop away from each other. Extend the arms, with palms facing up. Allow your body to drop in, relaxing the eyes, face, and jaw.?The benefits of savasana include relief from insomnia and headaches, improved concentration and memory, and reduced nervous tension. It may also promote focus and clear headedness.

The crown chakra is the point of connection between our physical and spiritual bodies. Maintaining this connection through our practice helps us remember the essence of who we are. It keeps us grounded in our purpose and allows us to tap into our intuition, our insight, and our resilience.

Credits

• *Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.
• Clothing by Silly Yogi (sillyyogi.com)
• Grace Flowers teaches Yoga at Mandala (mandalacenter.us) in Santa Monica: graceflowersyoga.com
• Hair and makeup by Tracey Giovanelli

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post Crown Chakra Aromatherapy Practices to Strengthen Mental Clarity appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Yoga Teacher Grace Flowers is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff.

The Fourth Chakra: Lighten Up and Feel Joy

With Essential Oils, Yoga, Polarity Therapy, Meditation & Affirmation for Heart Chakra Aromatherapy

The heart is our point of internal connection. The relationships to ourselves and to others originate from the heart. We often speak about the energy of the heart. This shows up in words or phrases such as having a “heartfelt feeling” or being “heartbroken.” When we are being authentic, we are speaking “from the heart.” One of the body’s energy centers, the fourth chakra, is located in the area around the heart. To strengthen this aspect of our energetic system, we can use heart chakra aromatherapy combined with postures, meditations, and affirmations.

Connect to the Heart through the Fourth Chakra

The Sanskrit name of the fourth chakra is anahata. This means “unstruck or unhurt.” The name refers to the fact that even though we feel fluctuating emotions, our core essence is unchanged. This energetic vortex is connected to the air element. The air element is related to life-force (prana) and breath. Just as our heartbeat is in constant motion, the subtle energy of the anahata chakra can be imagined like the wind. It is flowing and in motion.

Getting in touch with your heart chakra may require you to lighten up! Imagine flying through the air like a bird when it playfully changes direction, or having the childlike pleasure of wanting to do everything at once.
As Franklyn Sills, author of The Polarity Process, Energy in the Healing Arts writes, “To get in touch with the air element, we can look to nature. When the wind is moving in a steady balanced way, not too strong, and not erratic, a feeling of freshness can be found.”

The air element also relates to the mental realms and how we think and communicate those thoughts. When the energy of the heart chakra is balanced, it is easier for us to relate to others, to carry on social banter, and to even tell jokes; the air element influences our wit, and our ability to communicate effectively through talking, singing and writing.

If you are already familiar with the chakras, you may be asking, “How is this different from the throat chakra?” In this body/mind/spirit energy system, there is interaction and overlap of the functions of the chakras as they work together with the elements. The air element influences our thoughts and mental processes, and assists the movement of the expression that may come through the throat chakra via speaking and singing.

How Aromatherapy Works

Since most matters of the heart, such as love, forgiveness, compassion, and understanding, have emotional components, using essential oils may have a positive affect on how we are feeling. Why? Because the part of the brain that processes the sense of smell (the olfactory system) is part of the limbic system. Specifically it is part of the amygdala, where our emotional memory is stored. In other words, smelling various scents can illicit different memories, emotions or urges.

Essential Oils to Harmonize the Heart Chakra Aromatherapy

• Roman chamomile: Warm and floral, creates a relaxing and calming atmosphere.
• Lavender: Fresh and floral, calming and cleansing. The botanical name, Lavendula, is derived from the Latin word “lavare” meaning “to wash.”
• Marjoram: A powerful antioxidant that helps reduce stress and agitation.
• Jasmine: Sweet, floral, pleasant, uplifting, and inspiring.
• Rose: Creates an inspiring atmosphere and elevated spiritual experiences, encourages feelings of positive self-reflection, and is uplifting.

Exercises to Cultivate Joy

Try these Polarity Exercises combined with the oils, meditation, and affirmations when you need to shift your state of being to feel more joyful, strengthen relationships with loved ones, be playfully inspired, or communicate your heartfelt desires.

Preparation

Place a drop or two of any essential oil on your left palm and gently rub your hands together. Bring your palms toward your nose, creating a scent tent and gently inhale for 5 to 10 breaths.

Polarity Airplane Exercise

Before starting this exercise, think about a heart-related issue that you would like to bring healing to as a means of setting an intention for the practice. Find a focal point to look at and allow yourself to settle and relax with the intention in mind. With your feet together, stand tall and extend your arms wide out to your sides like airplane wings with palms facing down.

As you inhale three times quickly through the nose, cross your right arm under your left arm at chest level, matching each inhalation with your arm movements. Then bring the arms back out to your sides while rising high up onto the toes as you exhale with a loud and sharp “HA!” Repeat all steps 10 times.

After the sequence, take some time in stillness and silence with your hands in the Heart Chakra Mudra and observe any physical sensations.

Heart Chakra Mudra

While seated or kneeling, rest your left hand on your left knee. Place the right hand over your heart area, while touching index finger to thumb with the middle, ring and pinky fingers gently extended. Close your eyes and notice any thoughts and feelings.

Heart Chakra Aromatherapy Meditation & Affirmation

I release feelings and mental pictures that are unlike the loving Spirit of my Self. I sweep clean the foundation of my inner temple and wash it with the Light of Truth.

(Breathe!) I release all my beloveds with a blessing. I guard the central altar of my temple from outside influence, receiving only the impulses of my spiritual mind consciousness. The cords of love connecting me with others release with ease. They can come and go with increasing awareness of their nature and intent. My heart is a safe, calm and clear space. I can go to this space receive the Light of my Truth. In this Light, I have compassion for myself and for all beings. I feel the growing sense of oneness with my higher Self and love that I am.

(Breathe in fresh energy and imagine flooding your chest area with your favorite shade of green.)

When we are open in our heart space, we are more willing to embrace what is so in our lives. An open heart leads to love and appreciation. When we are connected to our heart center, our life can unfold effortlessly.

Photo Credits

• Hair and Makeup by Tracey Giovanelli
• Grace is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi: sillyyogi.com
• Photos by David Young-Wolff

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Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post Lighten Up The Heart Chakra with Aromatherapy appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Grace Flowers is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff.

Sixth Chakra Aromatherapy Practices Help Us Stay Grounded in Turbulent Times

Just as the tempestuous winds and rains of a storm incite upheaval and destruction in nature, the elements of stress, trauma, loss, and grief can create turbulence and discord in our everyday lives. We can utilize all remedies available to us, including aromatherapy, to support and strengthen the energy of the chakras when this happens. When we need to stay grounded, we can utilize practices like sixth chakra aromatherapy to help us cultivate this strength.

To hold steady in the midst of chaos is to reside in the eye of the storm. The ability to keep oneself centered and grounded is the power of the sixth chakra when it is balanced. Our sixth chakra, or third eye, is known in Sanskrit as Ajna. The sixth chakra is located on the forehead between the eyebrows.

Since this chakra is also known as the third eye, it is associated with light and seeing. We associate sight both with what is physically visible and that which is not. The sixth chakra is the site of our psychic connections, clairvoyance, divine thought, and intuition. Our sixth chakra also supports the ability of our imaginations to dream and visualize.

Through the practices of meditation, pranayama, and yoga we are able to tap into the essence of this energy center. Our practices give us the ability to create more peace and calm in our lives.

By combining the following exercises with specific therapeutic essential oils, we can balance the energy of our sixth chakra. These practices further support and enhance our meditation and yoga.

Photo of Grace Flowers by David Young-Wolff. Grace is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi.

The Healing Power of Essential Oils

Pure essential oils (free of synthetic fillers) contain high amounts of oxygenating molecules and can have calming and clearing effects on our mind and emotions. Smell or olfaction is our most primal sense. As an essential oil is inhaled, the aromatic molecules instantaneously fill the nasal passages and olfactory bulb. The olfactory system is connected to the structures of the limbic region at the center of the brain. These include regions such as the amygdala, which is involved in our emotional modulation.

The limbic system is also  involved in regulating memory, creativity, motivation, and the autonomic nervous system. A unique and amazing characteristic of essential oil molecules is that they have the ability to bypass the cerebral cortex, which is the “thinking” part of the brain. They can give us direct access to our feelings and higher self that exists beyond the intellectual realm.

Sixth Chakra Aromatherapy Essential Oils

Frankincense

Its warm, sweet, balsamic aroma is spiritually elevating and meditative. The energy of frankincense adapts to a person’s spiritual state of being. This oil can induce feelings of emotional stability, enlightenment, and inspiration.

Geranium

This flowery, sweet, green, and soft scent encourages solace and steadiness and fosters a sense of peace and well-being.

Sandalwood

The warm, rich, and woody aroma of this tree’s oil encourages insightfulness, wisdom, and unity.

Grace Flowers wearing clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff.

Palming the Eyes

Choose a seated or supine position. Rub your hands together for 15-20 seconds, warming your palms, and then rest your palms on your closed eyes. Take 3-5 minutes to enjoy the stillness.

Notice what you see with closed eyes: Do you notice any shapes, shadows, lights, patterns, or colors?

IMPORTANT: When palming or using any other essential oil techniques, make sure to avoid placing oils directly in the eyes.

Grace Flowers in Child’s Pose. Clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff.

Child’s Pose (Balasana) with Sixth Chakra Aromatherapy

Before entering into this pose, place a drop or two of your favorite essential oil on a cotton pad or a tissue and set on the mat, approximately where your nostrils will be in child’s pose.
Begin in table top pose with the tops of your feet on the floor. Allow the buttocks to settle toward the heels and the torso to rest on the thighs. If it is comfortable, lay your arms by your sides. Rest your forehead on the ground or on a prop, such as a block or small bolster. Relax your shoulders away and down from the ears and reach your hands gently backwards with palms up.

Sense the contact of the third eye with the earth and allow your deepest wisdom to emerge.

Rest and restore while breathing in the aroma of the essential oil. Feel your brain relax as you soften your thoughts.

Grace Flowers wearing clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff.

Meditation and Affirmation to Balance the Sixth Chakra

I now release the build-up of old pictures and clear away the smog of small mind. I cleanse the inner screens of my visual center and start fresh with my focus on a symbol of unity. The pictures I create and energize are blessed by the knowing of my being-ness of my Spirit. I destroy images that are unworthy of my creative purpose. I am patient with myself and with the manifestation of my ideas. My use of my creative mind is in harmony with my purpose for existence. I am a seer.

While repeating the affirmation, imagine breathing in the image of a deep, dark blue (the color indigo) around your closed eyes.

Take a Time Out–Sixth Chakra Aromatherapy

When you have difficulty concentrating or visualizing, have poor memory, are challenged with brain fog, or just need a new perspective, give yourself permission to take a time out. Reclaim the center of your head and your sixth chakra with these simple practices. Take just a few moments for yourself. You can create a shift that does wonders for your body, mind and spirit.

All clothing by Silly Yogi: sillyyogi.com

Hair and makeup by Tracey Giovanelli

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post Sixth Chakra Aromatherapy, Polarity and Yoga to Stay Grounded appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Third Chakra is also known as the fire chakra. In Sanskrit, its name is Manipura, which means “lustrous gem of the city.” This energy center is located at the solar plexus and corresponds with our zest for life, our will, our drive, the ability to express anger and frustration, and the process of transformation.

When our third chakra energy is out of balance, including being low, blocked, or depleted, we may feel depressed or bored—or we might lose touch with our purpose and passion. If the fire chakra energy is in excess, we may feel righteous, impetuous, or quick to anger.

There are healthy ways to express all of our emotions, including anger. In my healing arts private practice, I have found that by exploring our more fiery emotions in combination with sound, movement, and the use of specific essential oils, we can cultivate a deeper connection to our more vulnerable, authentic selves. In Polarity Therapy we call this process “Fire into Water.”

Tending to the Third Chakra with Essential Oils

Essential oils can offer us a new outlook on life and attitude in order to to facilitate what we are capable of accomplishing. Some of the essential oils that support the fire element and are great for the third chakra have a warming quality such as black pepper, cardamom, cloves, marjoram, and rosemary.

Other oils possess stimulating and invigorating properties (such as peppermint). Another oil — ginger — is a well-known digestive aid that may also soothe muscles.

If you are choosing to apply essential oils topically, remember to dilute them by placing 5-10 drops of an essential oil into one ounce of a fatty oil like almond, coconut, or jojoba. If you store oils, place them in a dark glass container to protect them from sunlight.

Fire Element Essential Oils

• Black pepper: warming and promotes sweating
• Ginger: digestive support and muscle relaxation
• Rosemary: promotes clarity
• Cardamom: spicy, refreshing, and uplifting
• Clove: soothing and invigorating
• Marjoram: warming and calming
• Peppermint: energizing and clearing
• Lemon: improves memory and supports circulation

Move Energy with Essential Oils

When I teach fire element asanas and polarity exercises combined with essential oils in my Aroma Yoga® classes, I frequently witness students experiencing powerful shifts in their states of being.

Try these exercises when you need to release anger, annoyance, or frustration, rekindle the passion or motivation for a project that needs your attention, or when you simply need to reenergize.

Third Chakra Energy Exercises

The Ha! Breath and The Woodchopper

Step 1

Before you begin, take a moment to observe any feelings of anger, resentment, or bitterness that you may be feeling; think about a project or relationship in your life that needs rekindling; or become aware of an obstacle that you need to break through.

Step 2

Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil on your left palm and gently rub your right hand clockwise over your left palm three times. Tent your palms over your nose and inhale deeply. Take 5-8 deep, cleansing breaths through your nose to help you focus your intention.

Step 3: Ha! Breath

Stand with your feet hip distance apart, place your left hand on your diaphragm and your right hand over the left. As you inhale through your nose, feel your diaphragm expanding. Exhale through your mouth making a loud, staccato “Ha!” sound. Feel your diaphragm contract as you exhale the sound. Repeat 5-10 times.

Step 4: The Wood Chopper

Start with your feet a little wider than hip distance apart, bend your knees slightly, and as you inhale, raise your arms high above your head and clasp your hands together, as if you were holding an imaginary axe.

On the exhalation, rock the hips forward, leaning back as you prepare to swing the arms forward in an undulating movement. Then bend forward, swing your arms down in front of you quickly as if you were chopping an imaginary piece of wood on the ground in front of and loudly say “HA!”

Slowly rise up with your hands clasped above your head. Repeat three to four times. After completion, stand for a few moments, closing your eyes and take a moment to notice what you are feeling.

Yoga Asanas for the Fire Chakra

Because the third chakra rules digestion, twists such as Revolving Chair Pose can be great choices to tone the digestive organs and center of the body and support elimination.

Fire Meditation for the Third Charka

Breathe fresh energy into the solar plexus, and imagine filling this area of your body with sparkling yellow light. Relax.

Affirmations for the Third Chakra

I now release all conflict and images of weakness. I take full responsibility for energizing my body and keeping it sound. I dissolve all cords between others and myself. I release competition, power battles, habits and judgments that drain my energy. I affirm that my human will is supplied and guided by my Divine will.

I open the inner door between Body and Soul, that the Light may flow through. (Breathe!) I am the conscious energy in this body, an offspring of the Eternal Light within me. I choose to live here and now, guided by an intuitive sacred awareness of different levels within me. I walk the narrow edge with grace and balance, free of excesses. Thank you, Creator, for my life, for power, and the will to choose.

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post Third Chakra Aromatherapy, Yoga, Polarity Therapy appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The Seven Chakras

Each one of the chakras is connected to the others.
 
The first five chakras are connected to the five elements. The sixth and seventh chakras are beyond the elements.
 

1. Earth – security and survival
2. Water – connection and relationship, procreation
3. Fire – action, transformation
4. Air – mental activity, compassion
5. Ether (space) – purification, connection to source, speech
6. Personal Spiritual Essence
7. Universal Spiritual Essence

The Fifth Chakra, the Throat Chakra

The Sanskrit name of the throat chakra is Vishuddha, often translated as ‘purification.’ It is the place of our connection to source. Our connection to source is our connection to truth. Speaking our truth and keeping our word maintains our purity.
 
Ether — or empty space — is the element related to the throat chakra. We need space in our lives to experience the quiet necessary to tune into ourselves, to experience equanimity and, most importantly, to recognize and speak our truth.
 
The throat chakra is the center of communication and sound. It is the energy center that aids us in expression through speaking, chanting, toning and singing.
 
Unfortunately, we often repress feelings like grief and may even compromise authentic expression for fear of showing vulnerability. When we fail to speak up or don’t speak our truth, energetic correlations may lead to a sore throat, a sore neck, or even losing our voice.
 
The throat chakra is linked to the thyroid. In our endocrine system, the thyroid is one of the master controllers of our metabolism. This chakra also relates to our sense of hearing, the feeling of spaciousness in our lives, and our connection to spirit or source energy.
 

Connecting with Throat Chakra Energy through Practice

At its essence, yoga means to connect. Through yoga and meditation we can literally move and breathe awareness and connection into being; in our bodies, our minds and our emotions.
 
Think of a time you felt a lump in your throat. The sensation of restriction, closing off and shutting down, choked by emotions and words repressed and unsaid. Or the experience of your throat hot and raw, burning with raspiness, your voice worn down and ragged around the edges or all together lost, your neck tight with tension holding the burdens of what has become, for most, an increasingly frenzied and fast-paced modern lifestyle.
 
Now think of time you have been on your mat moving through your practice and are met with an emotion that seems to come out of out of nowhere. Sadness. Grief. Gratitude. Anger. Clarity.
 
This is what happens when our practice unbinds the bound. This is what happens when you have perspective and awareness around the connections between your mind, body, and emotions.
 
Perhaps you have studied the work of the late metaphysical teacher and author Louise Hay who among many books wrote, Heal Your Body, Heal Your Life.
 
She correlates each body part or system to specific emotions and thoughts and offers suggestions on how to communicate to those parts of ourselves so we can release the correlating emotions and thought patterns and ultimately heal ourselves.
 
Expanding further on this idea of the evident connections between mind, body and emotions, we gain an even richer and more vibrant picture of our inner landscapes when utilizing the elements, as seen in Nature, and their relationship to the chakras.
 

Essential Oils that Influence the Throat Chakra

 
Frankincense: sweet, woody; connects heaven and earth
Lavender: cleansing light floral; calming and relaxing
Peppermint: clearing and stimulating; can ease sore and tense muscles
Idaho Blue Spruce: woody; cultivates a sense of emotional clearing and fosters the ability to let go
 

Integrating Practice and the Throat Chakra

Practices to build resilience and internal resources related to connecting to and speaking your own truth for optimal well-being.
 

Using Oils in a Pose

Put a drop of one of the essential oils listed above in your left palm, slowly rub your hands together, evenly distributing the oil on your palms and inhale the scent deeply for at least three long and deep breaths. Take this moment to set the intention for cultivating a feeling of more spaciousness and for expressing yourself clearly and freely. (Make sure to avoid touching your eyes when you place essential oils on your hands.)
 

Roaring Lion’s Pose

 
Kneel on the ground or sit in a chair. On an exhalation, open your mouth as wide as you can, exhale through your nose and mouth and stick out your tongue, curve your tongue down towards your chin. Hold your breath and draw in your abdominal muscles.
 
Open your eyes, looking slightly up and stretch the muscles of your face. Remain in this posture for at least 5 seconds and up to 10 seconds.
 
Repeat the inhalation of your oiled palms and repeat two to three times. Yes, you will look a little funny, but who cares! Encourage bystanders to join in.
 

Polarity Energy Exercise for the Throat Chakra: Cook’s Hook-Up

 
This pose helps you connect to and contain your internal energy, and disengage from external stimulation. Lay on your back. Cross your right leg over your left as high as you can at your thighs. Cross your arms over your chest, palms facing down, and tuck your hands into your armpits. Close your eyes and allow your body to relax.
 

 
See if you can sense more space, the ether element. Hold for two to five minutes. Then uncross your legs, uncross your arms, and bring your elbows to the floor at the sides of your rib cage. Gently connect your fingertips together as if in prayer position over the middle of your torso. Breathe deeply and rest for at least two to three minutes.
 

Meditation & Affirmation for the Throat Chakra

“I now release the tension and noise of the outer world. I let go and dissolve the cords to other voices and beings. I cleanse and polish the five rings of the throat chakra with silky, blue energy. I surround and fill the wheel with my own will, that which I AM. [Breathe!] I allow the nerves, glands and tissues of my body to re-charge with the essence of that which I AM. I affirm that guidance I receive is true and harmonious with my well-being and my natural pattern. I declare that messages I send forth to others are sent with love, honoring their level of receptivity. I cease effort, release my will, and sink into silence.”
 
Relax your throat, jaw and tongue. If you feel like it, sing “I AM” on a comfortable note.
 
When we combine the use of essential oils with Polarity Therapy exercises and yoga asana, we give ourselves a profound self-care practice, helping us unwind and restore on very deep levels.
 
 
Credits:

• Hair and Makeup by Tracey Giovanelli
• Grace is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi
• Photos of Grace Flowers by David Young-Wolff

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post The Throat Chakra: Aromatherapy and Techniques to Speak your Truth appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Our second chakra is connected elementally and energetically to the water element.

 
Water influences our ability to nurture ourselves and experience pleasure.  If we are deficient in the water element, we may feel emotionally detached or deny ourselves pleasure.
 
The physical location of the second chakra is around the area of the belly button and just below. Its area of influence includes the lower back and pelvic regions.
 
According to Dr. Stone’s Polarity Therapy model, this influence extends to the breasts, feet, and the reproductive and lymphatic systems.
 
The essential oils I recommend for facilitating balance via aromatherapy in the water element include grapefruit, jasmine, rose, and a blend of ylang ylang and orange. Grapefruit may help release excess water retention in our system; jasmine, rose and ylang ylang may help elicit romantic feelings and the citrus oils can be refreshing and uplifting.
 
If you feel tight in the hips, have lower back issues, feel emotionally overloaded or disconnected, try some of these simple exercises combined with the essential oils.
 

How to Prep for Second Chakra Aromatherapy

Apply a drop of one of the suggested oils onto the palm of your left hand, gently rub your hands together and cup your hand creating a “scent tent” over your nose. Deeply inhale and exhale for five breaths.
 
Take a moment to notice how the aroma affects your state of being in your mind and your emotions.
 
Our olfactory bulb (the part of our brain that processes scent) is one of the structures within the limbic system that modulates emotional memories. You may have noticed that memories, including emotional recall, can be triggered by our sense of smell. Working with essential oils for healing emotional issues can be extremely effective.
 
If you have been harboring a past hurt or resentment towards someone, or an emotional charge, first take time to acknowledge that person (even if they are no longer alive) or event. Then, with the assistance of essential oils and intentional movement, choose to shift your thoughts.
 
As you inhale the scent, increase the depth of your breath. As you exhale, become aware of how deeply you can release your breath, pausing for a moment before your next breath. Repeat this for six to ten breaths. Try this breath practice before movement.
 

Polarity Yoga Practices for the Second Chakra

Polarity Rowing

One of my favorite water element Polarity Yoga exercises is Rowing. It helps move the second chakra energy and may also provoke a child-like and playful response. Bringing amusement to places that have been feeling stuck or challenged can benefit us during any healing process!
 

 
While seated on the floor or a mat, bend your knees slightly. Reach towards your toes, placing your hands over the tops of your toes, and hold the balls of your feet. Flex your feet towards your knees as you inhale.
 
On your exhalation, push your feet forward as though you are stepping on the gas in your car, while keeping your toes flexed and your head forward.
 
Pump the feet back and forth in this pattern for one to two minutes. This movement may help release tension in the sacrum, hips, and lower abdomen.
 

Cat/Cow Preparation

Begin in table pose on your hands and knees with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your knees directly under your hips. Point your fingertips to the top of your mat. Soften your gaze with your head centered in a neutral position.
 

Cow Pose

 
Inhale as you drop your belly towards the mat. Lift your chin and chest and gaze up.
 

Cat Pose

 
As you exhale, draw your belly to your spine and round your back toward the ceiling.
The pose may look like a typical Halloween cat stretching its back.
 
Release the crown of your head toward the floor without forcing your chin to your chest. Inhale, return to cow pose and exhale back to cat pose.
 
Repeat 5-20 times, and then rest.
 

Meditation & Affirmation

 
Say this Affirmation to Yourself:
I am aware that my body responds to my thoughts, reactions, and images of what is. I recognize old pictures, let them go, and return to present time. (Breathe!)
 
In this moment it is possible to feel good about myself. As my emotions change, I flow with conscious awareness of their levels within me. I enjoy describing and expressing my feelings as validations of my humanness.
 
As my body becomes tuned with the present, I regain the ability to feel what is in harmony with my well-being and what is not.
 
I honor the sexuality of my body and intend to use its power in honor of life and Spirit. I now release compulsive urges that would injure, knowing that my Spirit fulfills all my needs in a good way. I flow with feelings!
 
Breathwork
As you repeat the affirmation, focus on the breath to create fresh energy through the abdominal area. Imagine filling this area with the color orange. Orange has a warm and relaxing quality and is the color of the second chakra.
 

Practice Often to Tap Into the Second Chakra

When you need to find more flow, or if you feel challenged by the need to relate emotionally, try combining these energy exercises or yoga asanas in tandem with their recommended essential oils and affirmations.
 
They have helped me and many of my clients and students shift from feeling stuck, disconnected, and depressed to being more open, connected, loving, and peaceful.
 
 
Credits

• Photos by David Young-Wolff
• Poses modeled by Grace Flowers
• All clothing by Silly Yogi
• Hair and makeup by Tracey Giovanelli

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post The Second Chakra Aromatherapy, Polarity, and Yoga for The Water Element appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo of Grace Flowers wearing Silly Yogi by David Young-Wolff

Aromatherapy and the Chakras: Grounding through the Root Chakra

The science of aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of scent; it includes the use of essential oils, often referred to as the lifeblood or essence of raw plant materials. Essential oils are used for improving psychological and physical well-being. These pure liquids are extracted from leaves, flowers, roots, buds, twigs, rhizomes, heartwood, bark, resin, seeds, and fruits most often steam distilled into oils.

As with yoga, essential oils have been used for thousands of years to help facilitate balance in the body, mind, and spirit. Essential oils have a direct effect on the nervous system and have been traditionally used to promote health and uplift the spirit, as well as activate the limbic system, where our bodies store emotion and memory. Even a few drops can bring balance to both mind and body. Combining essential oils with yoga and meditation practices can enhance and improve your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional state of being, both on and off the mat.

The chakras are part of an energetic system that connects the subtle and physical bodies. One of the ways in which we can use the science of scent is through the chakras to positively impact our energy and vitality.

The first chakra is also known as the root chakra. It energetically acts like the roots of plants, keeping us grounded and connected to the Earth (earth is also its associated element). This chakra is located at the base of the spine.

According to Dr. Stone’s Dr. Stone’s Polarity Therapy principles, its field of influence includes the sacrum, the bottom of the pelvic bowl, the large intestine, the neck, knees, legs and feet. We can notice the influence of this chakra in our own lives and get a read on our Earth energy by observing our relationship with our environment.

Questions to ask yourself:
Are you feeling at ease in our body?
Are you often feeling fearful, living in survival mode?
Do you feel that we have a good relationship with our financial health?
Do you start projects yet have a hard time bringing them to completion?
How is your overall health?

If you struggle with finding balance in any of these areas, chances may be that your first chakra needs some attention.

The root chakra governs our sense of smell and is associated with the quality of sweetness. Essential oils that specifically support the Earth element are those obtained from the roots of plants such as vetiver and spikenard (also known as jatamansi); those that have a calming and grounding effect like frankincense, myrrh, cedarwood, and Idaho blue spruce; or oils with a sweet scent like patchouli.

Photo of Grace Flowers wearing Silly Yogi by David Young-Wolff

To apply the essential oils, sit in a comfortable position, preferably on the floor. Apply a few drops of essential oil to the palm of your left hand, and gently rub your palms together. Bring your oiled palms toward your nose and inhale (avoid touching your eyes). Repeat the process a few times, allowing yourself time to bring calm and center to your inner world. Be careful not to touch your oiled palms to your eyes. Combining mindful movement with essential oils creates an extraordinary opportunity for transformation.

Grace Flowers in The Polarity Pyramid. Grace is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff

The Polarity Pyramid

The Polarity Pyramid helps improve balance while promoting a feeling of connectedness at the root chakra.

Stand with your feet a few inches wider than shoulder distance apart.
Bend your knees slightly, place your palms on your knees, straighten your arms and slightly hinge forward at the waist.
Inhale and raise your torso slightly, allowing your shoulders to rise up towards your ears.
As you exhale, lower your pelvis towards the floor, lengthening the sides of your torso.
Repeat for a few breaths.
Release your hands and bring your feet close together, and observe your how your body feels.
Rub your oiled palms together, inhale deeply and find stillness.

Twisting Polarity Pyramid

Come into The Polarity Pyramid as previously described. Inhale deeply and on the exhalation, turn your head and upper body to the right, aiming your left shoulder towards your right foot. Stay here for a few breaths. On another exhalation, come back to center. Pause on an inhalation and then on the next exhalation, turn your head and upper body to the left, aiming your right shoulder toward your left foot. Stay here for a few breaths and then return to center. Slowly bring your hands to your sides and bring your feet back together and observe any physical and energetic sensations.

Grace Flowers in Tree Pose. Grace is wearing clothing by Silly Yogi. Photo by David Young-Wolff.

Tree Pose/Vriksasana

This is an excellent pose for improving balance and concentration, instilling a sense of calm while strengthens your rooted or standing leg. Choose a favorite affirmation or prayer to help you align to the feeling of being safe, sure-footed and grounded.

Suggested Affirmation

Repeat the following: “I now release my fears to the Earth and ground myself, surrendering to the pull of gravity. I am aware of this moment in time, this breath flowing in and out. I thank my Creator for all my needs being met. I accept any waves of fear and insecurity that arise and now release them, replacing them with waves of love, abundance, satisfaction, blessings, and gratitude. I enjoy owning my body, which expresses my Self as a Spirit-guided Being. Thank you, Creator!”

Suggested Meditation

Breathe fresh energy through the base of spine, merge with energy of the earth, and feel grounded and relaxed.

Poses modeled by Grace Flowers: graceflowersyoga.com

All clothing by Silly Yogi sillyyogi.com

Photos by David Young-Wolff 

Hair and makeup by Tracey Giovanelli

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post Root Chakra Aromatherapy, Polarity, and Yoga appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

The penetrating aroma of essential oils has a powerful effect on our physiology and emotions, impacting every cell of our being.
There are many ways to use aromatherapy for self-healing. By using specific essential oils in combination with our yoga, pranayama, and meditation practices, we have the ability to create our own olfactory sanctuary.

What Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. They are derived via distillation, expression, solvent extraction, or florasol extraction from plants and their various parts, including: leaves, flowers, roots, buds, twigs, rhizomes, heartwood, bark, resin, seeds, and fruits. Essential oils are often referred to as the lifeblood of the plant, as they share some biochemical structural similarities to human blood.
What makes essential oils distinct from other forms of herbs (for example, the leaf itself) is that the essential oil is exponentially more concentrated. For example, one drop of peppermint essential oil has the equivalent of the active ingredients of 26 cups of peppermint tea.
We have learned that essential oils have powerful effects on the plant itself: its life and function, its own health, and its protective mechanisms. They affect our bodies in much the same way; a growing number of clinical studies reveal benefits of essential oils such as increasing oxygen uptake by red blood cells, improving the ability of the immune system to fight infection, aiding in balance of the endocrine system and hormone production, promoting tissue regeneration, maintaining appropriate appetite, calming the nervous system, and easing pain and anxiety.

The Power of Smell

First and foremost, the effects of essential oils are found in their scent. Fragrance touches our heart and is even a magic key that opens the secret door to the chambers of our soul. The mechanism of our sense of smell is a fascinating journey to the center of the brain.
Our sense of smell (olfaction) is our most primal sense and dates to life’s origins. At birth, smell is our most fully developed sense. It is essential for animals’ survival in the wild; they use it to hunt prey and to protect themselves in turn from predators. In fact, California ground squirrels chew up rattlesnake skin and smear it on their fur to mask their scent.
As we inhale an essential oil, their aromatic molecules enter the body via the nasal passages and olfactory bulb and travel to the limbic region at the center of the brain, the group of structures that regulate processes like memory, creativity, and motivation, as well as the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems. This olfactory highway means that the scent bypasses the cerebral cortex—the conscious processing part of the brain. This is why even the faintest whiff of something evocative will instantly evoke a flash of memory, a recollection of a person from our past, or even inspire an emotional response.

Ancient medicine to Modern Miracles

Essential oils have a long and noteworthy history of use throughout the world for thousands of years. Places like Egypt, China, and India (used in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani Medicine) have used oils for ritual and medicine. Hippocrates popularized their use in Greece and subsequently throughout Europe. They were used in the First and Second World Wars to reduce infection and improve wound healing. Today, essential oils are being used in hospitals, nursing homes, and in hospice care for their effects on pain, insomnia, nausea, and anxiety. Their use as an adjunct to yoga is also increasing as a result of their physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

Essential Oils and Your Yoga Practice

Combining essential oil use with yoga practice can powerfully enhance feelings of well-being and presence. Inhalation or topical application of genuine therapeutic grade essential oils can be a powerful tool for radiant health for every major system of the body. Many yoga practitioners find that use of essential oils helps refine focus and mental clarity, deepen mental and emotional grounding, strengthen the body-mind connection, increase stamina, and reduce muscle and joint pain and tension. Yoga instructors have found that when they use essential oils in their classes, students often appear to be more alert, receptive, unified, connected, grounded, centered, uplifted and present.
Yoga instructor Vivica Schwartz of Yoga Desa in Topanga Canyon says that essential oils help her set an intention for the class and help her become more inspired about what to teach. She says that, “essential oils help calm my nerves when the day has been stressful. Before going to teach, essential oils help me transition from chaos to the Zen mind. When I use them in class I get a positive response from my students.”
Urban Zen instructor Hazel at Yogaworks says she uses different oils in her yoga classes as needed to help relax or invigorate her students. “When I drop a little oil into their hands I find it’s a lovely way to connect to the students and give back to my community. As my students inhale the oil, I see their faces become open and receptive to the experience of something new. It brings them more into their breath and their bodies.”

Not All Oils are Created Equally

You may have attended a yoga class where the teacher lovingly offers a few drops of an essential oil, like lavender, chamomile, or clary sage for you to enjoy during savasana or meditation. While these scents wonderful for enhancing relaxation, in my experience, many oils being used are unfortunately of poor quality or are even synthetically altered.
Not all essential oils are created equally. According to Kurt Schnaubelt, PhD, of the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, more than 98% of the essential oils on the market are adulterated, meaning they have been synthetically produced so they won’t deliver their full benefit and could even cause more harm than good. Using only genuine, pure, therapeutic grade essential oils is important for receiving their full benefit

Guidelines for Safe Use of Essential Oils

Since essential oils are potent therapeutic agents, before using them in a yoga class or other setting, first ask if anyone has any allergies or specific health conditions like pregnancy, epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, or if students are taking medications like certain blood thinning agents. Although the side effects of using essential oils are minuscule, there are precautions to take into consideration. In addition, some people may have strong emotional reactions to specific oils based on their life history.

Essential Oils Basic Guidelines & Safety Precautions 

1. Always have pure, vegetable-based oil on hand in the event of discomfort or skin irritation (including accidentally wiping eyes). Never flush essential oils with water; as this will exacerbate the irritation. Use a fatty vegetable oil such as olive or almond oil on the affected area. The fat in a vegetable oil will bond to the essential oils to soothe irritation or discomfort.

2. Store essential oils in a cool location with the lids fastened tightly.
This helps oils maintain potency. Essential oils are volatile substances, which means they will eventually evaporate if the bottles are left uncovered. Ideally, essential oils are kept in amber or blue colored bottles to protect them from any contact with sunlight, since direct sunlight decreases their potency.

3. Treat them like medicine.
Essential oils may smell better than any medication you’ve ever taken, but they are still powerful substances and need to be respected. Learn about your oils and their effects.

4. Do not use oils containing menthol, such as peppermint, on the neck of children under 30 months.

5. Know your oils.
Learn the specific contraindications to individual essential oils. For example, some oils are phototoxic, meaning they may cause a rash or dark pigmentation on skin exposed to direct sunlight within three to four days after application. Most citrus oils fall into this category as well as others. In addition, become familiar with which essential oils are best avoided during pregnancy or other conditions. Our collective information about this is still growing; gather information from a few reputable sources before making an informed evaluation.

6. Keep oils away from the eyes.
Some essential oils irritate the eyes (remember to use a fatty vegetable or nut oil on a tissue and dab into the affected eye to reduce irritation).

7. Remind pregnant women to consult their health care professional before using oils.
An expert opinion is essential; some oils are problematic during pregnancy while others are especially beneficial for pregnancy, childbirth, new mothers, and infants.

8. People with health conditions do well to know their own cautions and contraindications.

9. Keep essential oils away from open flames, as some essential oils are flammable.

(For a list of oils and their cautions, read this article online at: layoga.com.)

How to use Essential Oils

The Inhalation Method
Place one or two drops of essential oil on your left palm, then slowly and gently rub the oil in a clockwise motion three times with the fingertips of your right hand. (We emphasize putting the oils in the left hand first, as in many energetic healing art modalities the left side of the body is considered the receiving side.) This process will spread the oils evenly on each hand. Then, bring your cupped hands slowly towards your nose until they are about one to two inches away and inhale slowly and deeply. You can also put a drop of essential oil on a round cotton cosmetic pad. The scent of the essential oil will last for hours, sometimes days, students can take them home to anchor their post-yoga-class bliss.
Diffusion
A cold air or cold water diffuser is an effective method of using essential oils. (Avoid potpourri burners that use a candle, as the heat from the candle will denature the delicate molecular structure of the essential oil.) I recommend diffusing citrus oils like grapefruit, lemon, tangerine, lime, or orange. These oils have an uplifting yet mild scent that also helps reduce airborne microbes.
Topical Application
Essential oils can be placed under the nose, on the back of the neck, on the lower back, chest, or belly. For those concerned with skin sensitivity, essential oils may also be diluted with carrier oils, like coconut, sesame, olive, jojoba or a blend of these fatty oils. Before distributing essential oils to your students, please remind them to avoid touching their eyes and explain the use of vegetable carrier oils to reduce irritation.

Tracy Griffiths is the author of the Aroma Yoga® DVD and Aroma Yoga® On Line Teacher Training. She has trained certified Aroma Yoga® instructors and offers workshops locally and around the world. Tracy is also the co-author (with Ashley Turner) of the reference Aroma Yoga®: How to Use Essential Oils in your Yoga Practice. Tracy and her team will be offering classes and exhibiting at the Moksha Festival July 11-12 in Downtown Los Angeles mokshafestival.com. For more information, visit aromayogaguide.com.

Tracy Griffiths

Tracy Griffiths, BCPP, LMT, CAC is the co-owner of the Life Energy Institute and a Board Certified Polarity Practitioner Instructor. She is the creator and author of Aroma Yoga®, a blend of conscious movement, breathing exercises, and chakra meditations combined with therapeutic grade essential oils. Tracy leads the essential oil therapy component of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) program and believes wellness should be easy and accessible to everyone: aromayogaguide.com.

www.aromayogaguide.com

The post Aromatherapy and Yoga appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.