In setting up a meditation space for relaxation, or to be used in yoga classes, many people use incense, candles and/or essential oils. Scent is a powerful and wonderful tool that can be used to fill a space or our our bodies with qualities and symbolism to match the intentions or goals for any practice.
Sometimes, throughout Savasana (or corpse pose), one on the most relaxing parts of yoga practice where the body is totally relaxed, many instructors use scent in the room to aid in relaxation. My personal yoga teacher, for example, dabs a tiny drop of lavender oil on our necks during Savasana, Lavender has many properties to help soothe and relax,
So what kind of scents are available and what does one use? It really is dependent upon what your goals are for that particular meditation or yoga session. Are you trying to alleviate stress? You then may use Lavender….Have you ever been preventing a cold? You then may strive Hyssop. Are you trying to realize energy and wake up? You then would possibly use Lemon or Peppermint.
Here’s a list of some widespread essential oils and what they mean or what they may also help achieve to get your started on your way to setting up the best temper or intention on your practice.
Lemon — Lemon is an energizer additionally helping as a disinfectant. It additionally has natural bleaching qualities. Along with that, it also serves as an energizer. The oil is extracted from the rind and juice of lemon and has a rich, fruity and warm scent.
Lavender — Lavender is a superb stress reliever, promoting peace and well-being. Because of it’s stress relieving ability and can be utilized to deal with anxiousness, insomnia and stomach aches. The oil is extracted from the flowering spikes of lavender and has a candy, floral and slightly sharp scent. As talked about earlier, this is a good scent for savasana,
Hyssop — Hyssop has been around for centuries. It has healing properties that have been used by many throughout the years. It helps with cold and flu. It can also be used as a skin-improving agent, serving to battle towards blemishes.
Jasmine — known for its stress-free and soothing properties and can be, at instances, used as an aphrodisiac as well. The oil is extracted from jasmine flowers and has a heavy and candy dreamy scent. (Another good option for savasana!)
Basil — Helps with concentration. Additionally used in a wide number of problem comparable to upset stomach, headache, flatulence, low appetite, lack of concentration, abrasions, sinus, muscle aches, migraine, gout and bronchitis. The oil is extracted from flowering tops and leaves of basil and has a sweet and spicy scent.
Chamomile — Used to promote sleep, relaxation and meditation. (That’s why so many people have a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime!) It’s rest properties and can be utilized to deal with indigestion, peptic ulcers, nervousness, menstrual cramps, sore throat, burns and skin inflammations, vaginal infections, insomnia, sunburn, hay fever and sprains. The oil is extracted from chamomile flower heads and has a sweet, fruity and floral scent.
Sandalwood — This scent is fashionable for incense burning and is still burned in lots of properties today. It’s a very candy woody scent serving to promote relaxation and spiritual harmony. Additionally, help with dry hair and skin. It will also be used to deal with depression, dry skin, nausea, skin problems and stress. The oil is extracted from sandalwood itself and has an unique and slightly spicy scent.
Rose — There are a lot of different types of roses. They all have some differences in healing properties. Rose oil has soothing and calming abilities and can be utilized to treat scurvy and nervousness. It also promotes the emotions of affection and peace. The oil is extracted from petals, hips and root bark of rose and has a light, candy and floral scent.
Peppermint — A real energizer. Often used to help with muscle aches, fatigue, pain, gas, sore throat, digestive problems, stomach ulcers and nausea. The oil is extracted from leaves of peppermint plant and has a minty scent.
Eucalyptus — Powerful decongestant. Used for hundreds of years to help with cold symptoms. It additionally has antiseptic qualities and can be utilized to treat nasal and chest congestion, bronchial asthma, sore muscle tissue, cuts and abrasions. The oil is extracted from eucalyptus leaves and has a powerful, recent and minty scent.
Ginger — An energizing scent, ginger is widely used to help with nausea.
Nutmeg — Used by some to assist with sleep and indigestion.
But what in case your intentions are specific? What can scent do to solidify your practice intentions? If you’re in a troubled relationship and have to evoke positive emotions towards that relationship, you might initiate a meditation session surrounding love and deal with that to heal that relationship. In this case you would have a number of choices of scent to aid in that intention.
Here are a number of themes and ways you can specifically gear your observe using scent:
Love, Companionship & Relationship
The scents of apple, cinnamon, clove, copal, gardenia, jasmine, lavender, musk, orange, patchouli, peppermint, rain, rose, vanilla, white jasmine, and ylang-ylang essential oil signify the completely different elements of a relationship, equivalent to love, companionship, affection and adoration.
Goals, Gains, Cash & Success
The scents that signify material success, along with cash, profits and goals, embrace the perfume of allspice, almond, bergamot, basil, cinnamon, clover, dill, honeysuckle, lemon, pine, red ginger and sage essential oils.
Protection, Concord & Well Being
Signifying the general concord of an individual are the scents of angelica, basil, bay, bayberry, carnation, cinnamon, clove, coconut, dill, dragon’s blood, eucalyptus, frankincense, gardenia, geranium, heather, juniper, lilac, myrrh, narcissis, sandalwood and violet essential oils.
Inspiration, Psychic Awareness & Intuition
If you’re looking for essential oils with scents that signify inspiration, psychic awareness and intuition; anise, cedar, chamomile, cinnamon, eucalyptus, frankincense, green tea, lavender, lemongrass, lime, lotus, musk, myrrh, peppermint, pine, rosemary, sandalwood, and valerian essentials oils will be the most effective bet.