I’ve really been getting into aromatherapy lately. Essential oils quickly create positive well-being. The smell of essential oils stimulates the part of the brain that affects emotion. In the body, the oils are quickly absorbed through the skin and can help cleanse, tone and balance the body.

Here is a lovely mix that I put together and have been sharing with my yoga students. It includes sandalwood, which is has a soft, woody scent that is wonderful for centering, creating emotional stability and inspiring insight. Lavender, the most popular oil in aromatherapy, is calming, refreshing and relaxing. Ylang ylang has a sensual aroma and is said to open the heart and elevate the spirit. In general, essential oils should be used with a carrier oil, as it can be too concentrated on its own. I use apricot kernel oil, which doesn’t have a scent.

1/4 cup of apricot kernel oil

10 drops of lavender oil

10 drops of sandalwood

7 drops of ylang ylang

When combining essential oils don’t shake the container. Essential oils are delicate. Shaking introduces air molecules into the mix, which lessens the effect. Instead, gently rotate the container back and forth.

Important: Be careful when using essential oils around animals, particularly dogs. Dogs sense of smell is 100 times greater than ours. The pure oils can be irritating to dogs. Never put a pure essential oil on your animal.