Aromatherapy and aromatic oils have been used in many countries, such as India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome, as far back as 3,500 B.C. Aromatic oils had (and still do have) a variety of uses in addition to aromatherapy, such as use in religious rituals, cooking, medicinal purposes, and of course, covering up bad smells.
Photo by Kadarius Seegars on Unsplash
So, how does aromatherapy actually work? According to the Mayo Clinic, aromatherapy stimulates smell receptors in the nose, which then send messages through the nervous system to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that controls emotions.
An article published by The Scientific American, explains further that the olfactory bulb, the part of your brain that receives and processes smells, has direct connections to the amygdala (processes emotions) and to the hippocampus (memory and cognition). This is why certain smells can bring back memories or reminders of both positive and negative events.
Some scientific studies have shown that aromatherapy can be beneficial by:
Providing relief from anxiety and depression
Improving quality of life, particularly for people with chronic health conditions
Improving sleep
Traditionally, in the practice of Ayurveda, aromatherapy and the asanas were used together to balance and unblock the body’s chakras. However, even if the chakras are not the focus of your practice, it is easy to see how aromatherapy would still be a beneficial addition to your practice, as both yoga and aromatherapy have positive impacts on your emotional state.
Some ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your practice:
Use a diffuser of an appropriate size for the room
Place a few drops of an oil onto a cotton ball or pad and place it next to your mat
Before beginning, simply open the oil bottle and take a few deep breaths
Mix together a room spray and then spray the room before your practice
The oils I use most during my practice are Frankincense, Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint, Orange, and Cedarwood.
Some oils may advertise that they are safe for topical use - however, the scientific research on the long-term effects of direct application is scarce. If you do decide to apply the oils directly, do your research prior.
It should also be noted, that if you are teaching a class, do verify there are no allergies or sensitives in your students BEFORE you begin introducing any oils.
-Charlene
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