Essential Oils for Yoga
One of my absolute favorite things about doTERRA essential oils is how versatile they are in every day life.
In fact, I would be hard-pressed to think of a situation that couldn’t benefit from them. (And it’s probably why you might’ve seen those “I Have an Oil for That” t-shirts).
One of those situations is Yoga.
Yoga and Essential Oils are a match made in heaven and today I want to share with you 10 doTERRA oils that you can use to enhance your practice.
Whether you’re looking to calm, uplift, center, or deepen, there’s an oil for that ;)
Let’s get started…
#1 Lavender
While it might seem a bit basic, Lavender is the perfect complement to just about any yoga practice, but particularly restorative or yin.
Her powdery, light, floral aroma is soothing to both the body and the mind and would be great diffused, applied to your wrists or pulse points, or even used as a yoga mat spray.
It also makes for a soothing bath when combined with epsom salts after your practice.
Want to learn more about Lavender? I have a whole blog post dedicated to it here.
#2 Breathe
doTERRA’s Breathe Oil is one of those oils that I wouldn’t think to call a “favorite,” but when I consider how frequently I use it, I guess it is!
This oil features a blend Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lemon, Cardamom, Ravintsara, and Ravensara and helps maintain feelings of clear airways and easy breathing. It’s also great for use during allergy season and combined in the diffuser with Lavender for deeper sleep!
Breathe can be applied topically to the back, chest, or the bottoms of the feet.
I am partial to the Breathe stick which is super easy to rub on your chest right before a practice if you want to open up your airways. You could also add a drop or two to your diffuser.
Because people with anxiety tend to either hold their breath or have rapid, shallow breathing, Breathe is great for calming and opening your airways, which can then send the signal to your brain that you’re safe and can breathe normally.
This would be a great oil to use when you need to calm your breathing after a stressful day or open your airways for a more vigorous practice.
#3 Frankincense
The King of Essential Oils, Frankincense has an ancient lineage dating back to the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians. It has also long been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practices and is an overall powerhouse for so many things.
Despite its many healthy benefits, it’s warm, spicy, herbal aroma is the perfect soothing complement to a yoga practice, particularly your slower, more contemplative ones.
If you are really wanting to focus on your spiritual connection and/or connection to self during yoga, I would recommend applying Frankincense to your chest, palms, spine, and/or feet. You can also add a few drops to your diffuser to infuse the entire room.
*Remember that because scent and memory are so linked together, any time you pair an essential oil with a particular activity or behavior, you’re creating muscle memory and making it easier for your body to transition into that activity.
I use Frankincense every single day in my morning practice and because of this, my body feels even more deeply relaxed than it would if I didn’t have that association.
#4 Sandalwood
Sandalwood, another precious oil, has long been used in religious rites and ceremonies and is a great complement to your yoga practice.
With a sweet, woody, grounding aroma, Sandalwood would be great diffused throughout the room (especially when combined with a drop of Vanilla!) or applied topically. Please remember to dilute your oils with a carrier oil to minimize any skin sensitivity.
Sandalwood is another excellent oil if you’re feeling anxious or jittery and need calming or if you are wanting to create a deeper spiritual experience. I always turn to ancient oils like Sandalwood and Frankincense when I want to create an atmosphere that supports deep spiritual connection.
#5 Balance
This is likely the 7, 891st time you’ve heard me talk about Balance and for good reason. Balance is one of my all-time favorite doTERRA oils and I use it every single day.
I also have an entire blog post dedicated to it here.
Balance is a grounding blend of Black Spruce, Ho Leaf, Frankincense, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, and Osmanthus.
Tree oils are fantastic at helping you get out of the clouds (i.e. your head) and rooted into the earth (i.e. your body) and that’s what I love so much about Balance.
If you’ve had one of those days where your mind just wont stop going or you’re being pulled in a million directions and really just need some time to ground yourself in your yoga practice, Balance is for you.
I would use this oil applied to the bottoms of my feet, my chest, my spine, and often I’ll just add a drop to my hands, rub them together and inhale for a quick reset. It would also be great diffused.
#6 Rose
Oh sweet Rose! If you can’t tell by the name of my business, I absolutely adore Roses.
With her soft, sweet, floral aroma, Rose is wonderful at helping soothe skin, calm the senses, tap into your romantic/sensual side, and elevate your consciousness.
Fun fact: Roses have a frequency of 320 MHz, compared to the human body which usually resonates at 62-72 MHz.
This makes it the highest frequency of any plant or flower, and extremely rare and precious because it takes more than 10,000 roses to make one 5 mL bottle of doTERRA Rose Essential Oil (hence the price).
Rose oil is so beneficial for so many things including beautiful glowing skin, immune support, emotional wellness, and hormone support.
I love using Rose oil daily on my face (I prefer the less expensive Rose Touch), on my pulse points for a healthy perfume, and on my chest before I begin my morning practice or yin yoga.
**Please note that if you are buying Rose oil at health food stores (even Whole Foods), Target, Amazon, etc. you are not getting pure therapeutic grade Rose oil; you’re getting an adulterated, synthetic fragrance which has none of the benefits we’re talking about here.
While this is definitely a luxury product, I would recommend not using Rose oil unless you can get your hands a bottle made by doTERRA. I’m generally never this blunt, but it’s because I believe so strongly in not using synthetic oils that have who-knows-what kind of chemicals in them…yes, even if they say “100% essential oil.”
And if you’re reading this in July of 2024, the Rose Duet skincare set is still available! Don’t miss out on this because it will definitely sell out!
#7 Ylang Ylang
Ylang Ylang is one of those oils that I have associated with a very specific memory of working in a spa during my summers off from college. Just one whiff and I’m instantly transported back to those moments.
Ylang Ylang is great those times when you are feeling more romantic or sensual in your yoga practice and/or you really want to connect with your body.
I’ve also heard it said that Ylang Ylang is the oil of the inner child, so if you’re looking to soothe your younger self, this is a great way to do so.
I personally find the aroma of Ylang Ylang very strong, so for me one drop in a diffuser or mixed with some fractionated coconut oil and applied as a moisturizer or to my pulse points is all I need.
You could also mix it with some distilled water and witch hazel to make a light spray for your yoga mat.
#8 Align
The Align Centering Blend contains a mix of Bergamot, Coriander, Marjoram, Peppermint, Geranium, Basil, Rose, and Jasmine essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Oil. This oil creates a steadying and herbaceous aroma that invites feelings of trust and resolution.
I would add Align to any yoga practice where you are working to move through grief, betrayal, or heartache. It’s also great if you are feeling a little ungrounded and want to feel more present.
This oil can be purchased alone or as part of the Yoga Collection.
#9 Arise
The Arise Enlightening Blend is a mix of Lemon, Grapefruit, Siberian Fir, Osmanthus, and Melissa essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Oil. It is the perfect oil to use when you need to feel both uplifted and centered.
Any time you see a blend that contains citrus oils, I want you to think 2 things:
It’s great when you’re feeling a bit down or blue to help elevate you into a better state of mind
Cover up or stay out of the sun for 12 hours if you choose to apply them topically (citrus oils can cause some photosensitivity)
Because Arise contains both citrus and a tree oil (Siberian Fir), you can expect both that uplifting and rooted feeling.
This oil can be purchased alone or as part of the Yoga Collection as well.
#10 Anchor
The Anchor Steadying Blend contains a mix of Lavender, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Cinnamon Bark, Frankincense, Black Pepper, and Patchouli essential oils in a base of Fractionated Coconut Oil. It has a rich, soothing aroma that can help you create balance in difficult times.
This particular blend is excellent diffused, used in diffusing jewelry, and used during yoga poses that support poise and your connection to self and community. It’s also wonderful for seated meditation, seated twists, or Bhu Mudra (one hand on the heart and the other on the earth).
This oil is available to be purchased alone or also as a part of the Yoga Collection.
Alright friends, that’s it for today! I hope you enjoyed learning about all the different essential oils that you could use to enhance your yoga practice!
If you’re not already a doTERRA wholesale member and want to get 25% off your oils for a year, I would love to help you get started. There is no commitment to order monthly or any hidden fees, just the opportunity to bring the highest quality essential oils into your home!
How to Get Started:
*I am a proud doTERRA Wellness Advocate and this post contains affiliate links.