More and more of us are looking to take a break to reconnect our minds and bodies. There are many ways to do this, including meditation and yoga. Both beginners and experienced practitioners of yoga and meditation appreciate the benefits of essential oils in these special moments where body and mind become one. Let's discover together how to create moments of zen and aromatherapy.

The Hidden Meaning of Yoga

Yoga is much more than just a form of physical exercise; it is a discipline that affects the health and well-being of both body and mind.

The bending exercises, stretches, and postures, or "asanas," are interdependent and aim to align and interconnect to bring the practitioner into a state of complete balance. Yoga, in fact, is a word derived from Sanskrit, which can mean "to join" or "to assemble pieces."

However, other aspects are involved in this process, and not the least important: breathing, withdrawal from external stimuli, inward concentration, meditation, purification of the body and the rejection of negative values such as violence, greed and jealousy.

The holistic dimension of aromatherapy

Like yoga, aromatherapy can affect both the body and the mind. It also strives to support physical and mental well-being.

Because essential oils have a subtle informational dimension and a real effect on the nervous system in particular, their use in the context of yogic practice or meditation can strengthen or facilitate the practice.

The two main methods of applying essential oils have a certain interest:

• Diffusion: Aromatic molecules distributed throughout the space where yoga or meditation is practiced can create an inspiring or motivating atmosphere, or even improve breathing;
• Massage or Anointing: Essential oils applied to the skin, most often diluted, can soften muscles and joints, preparing for stretching and postures. They are also used after a session to recover more quickly, prevent muscle aches, or simply for immediate comfort. Applied as an anointing, like a perfume, essential oils can also promote visualization, meditation, or concentration.

Which essential oils should I use and how?

Many essential oils are known for their subtle effect on the mind. Diffuse them in the room where you practice yoga or meditation with a suitable essential oil diffuser .

• 15 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser are enough to aromatize the room by starting the diffusion 15 minutes before the session, leaving the diffuser on throughout the session if the device allows it. If you use an electric pump diffuser, it is quite different and it is advisable to diffuse more essential oil but for a shorter time so as not to saturate the ambient air too heavily.

Some essential oils refer to the sacred and help us to "think higher." This is the case with Himalayan spikenard, frankincense, and myrrh .

Other essential oils that are known to bring enthusiasm and inspiration, which can be motivating in yoga, include grapefruit , lime , mandarin , bitter orange , rosemary, and mint .

Eucalyptus radiata , smithii or globular , cypress and myrtle are also well suited to a diffusion session and facilitate the breathing process.

Finally, to promote grounding and strengthening, we usually think of sandalwood , cedar , patchouli or vetiver , but other essential oils are also possible.

A synergy to diffuse during yoga or meditation?

You can create your own essential oil diffuser synergy that best suits your practice. Choose 3 to 7 essential oils and add them one by one in the chosen proportions to a 10 ml amber glass bottle, for example. When the time comes, add 15 drops of the synergy to the diffuser you're using.

Interestingly, you can also make an aromatic spray to sanitize your yoga mat or towels. To do this, add 20 drops of its synergy to 4 tablespoons of vodka or 70% alcohol in a spray bottle to create an aromatic mist to shake and spray on the mat or towels after each session.

Are you unsure how to formulate your synergy or do you want a well-formulated, ready-to-use synergy? Pranarôm's Meditation and Holy Odors diffuser blend is a superb synergy that combines sweet orange , lime , frankincense , bergamot , Ceylon cinnamon , elemi , and Himalayan spikenard.

Essential oils to prepare for exercise or to prevent muscle aches?

Some essential oils warm up the muscles, others soften the joints and muscles. Many of us have already benefited from the benefits of wintergreen or lemon eucalyptus, which have excellent tropism on the joint and muscle sphere. They are found in the joint and muscle spray and the Aromalgic massage gel , recommended for all athletes but also for those who practice yoga intensely.