I love chakra work AND I love essential oils. On one hand, chakras are the energetical focal points used in various spiritual practices such as seated meditation. On the other hand, essential oils also have specific energetic qualities and when we combine these two elements, they can most certainly illicit powerful responses on a physical, emotional level and spiritual level.
Essential oils and aromatherapy
Essential oils have been used as far back as Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, India and beyond. More recent studies show the use of essential oils in massage or through inhalation (aka aromatherapy) as a practice to support the body’s natural ability to self-heal through indirect stimulation of the immune system. The added kick here is that it essential oils can shift our mood and emotions depending in the type of oil.
A word of caution though, using neat oils on the body (with the exception of a few like lavender and tea tree oil) are STRONG and can have a harmful effect. Just ask my young daughter who recently decided to try my cinnamon oil on her arms with disastrous results. After 30 minutes of cleansing with a natural soap and rinsing with tepid water (and a call to the poison centre), we were, as the saying goes, right as rain. Seek professional consultation if you have underlying illnesses or if bubs is on the way before using any essential oils.
How I use essential oils for best effect
I work with essential oils in many ways. Typically, either with a diffuser (a few good drops in the water compartment), topically (diluted to 5% with a carrier oil like sweet almond or jojoba ), or as a body mist spritzer (containing water 100mL, witch hazel 30mL and around 20 drops of oil). A few drops in a bath works magic and some oils I use neat on the skin such as Tea Tree oil should there be any scrapes on childrens' knees.
Amplifying the power with chakra specific practices
When it comes to using essential oils while working with the energy of the chakras, I do have my preferred selection of oils and application methods that I have developed through experimentation and trial and re-trial. But aromatherapy is subjective – what might trigger a particular response in me, may trigger a very different response in you through our unique limbic system (where aromas good or bad can trigger memories and influence emotions and behaviours). Here is my go-to list of oils and how I use them throughout my practice of yoga, meditation and Chakradance.
Finding your roots
The root or base chakra entertains the concept of how we connect to Mother Earth, our body wisdom, and to those around us – be it familial tribe or our spiritual tribe. For me this resonates with earthy fragrances that have base note qualities, especially sandalwood. Patchouli and myrrh are also super as well though. In traditional Chinese Medicine, oils with Yuang source Qi are energetically descending and are great for grounding and nourishing. These oils diluted in a sweet almond oil are great for massaging into the feet and lower legs before or during your practice, for instance in a lovely seated forward fold in yin yoga.
Going with the flow
Having a healthy connection to our sexuality and emotions requires a balanced sacral chakra. Personally, sacral vibrational oils are earthy, spicy and rich with a dash of mystery of course. As a sensual being who delights in the joy belly dancing (well, these days only in my kitchen), I love frankincense or ginger (dare I say cinnamon?) either alone or blended and then diluted in my carrier oil. A gentle self-massage using circular movements starting in the area of the lower belly while lying down can begin to awaken the energy and flow of the sacral chakra. Massage your side body and lower back area as well. Then when you are ready, place your hands on your belly and take a few deep breaths all the way down into your pelvic bowl.
Tapping into your purpose and power
Essential oils from the citrus family seem to fit working with the solar plexus. Strong, powerful and sun fueled energy to help me find my purpose and drive. Bergamot, lemon, lime and wild orange are favourites in my collection. These are top note oils and have a Wei Qi from a traditional Chinese Medicine perspective which means they raise the energy and uplift us. They support mood changes and in creating and maintaining boundaries – all important for the solar plexus, right? I massage the oil into my shoulders and arms as well as in the feet (in reflexology the area of the foot associated with the solar plexus is below the ball of the foot in the centre). Then when I feel charged up its time to begin flowing into a stronger yoga practice.
Heartfelt intentions
Our energetical centre of love, kindness and compassion is the heart chakra and one might immediately tune into essence of rose – true, this works a treat (though it isn’t cheap!) but there are others that I also like to use. My current favourite is Roman Chamomile. This is a mid-note oil which in the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach, is classified as Ying sourced Qi. These oils work on the emotions that have been circulated in body for a while and at a much deeper level than say the top note oils. Get started by rubbing your hands together with some oil and then locate the heart reflex point on the palm of your left hand by drawing a line with your right thumb from the base of your little finger to the first crease (your knuckle is on the other side). You can apply pressure or make some small circular movements and then give your hands a gentle massage. When you are ready, place your hands over your heart space for a simple heart-felt meta meditation.
Raising your vibration
As we explore the upper chakras, we move away from the physical elements into the more ethereal. The throat chakra is linked to self-expression and communicating ourselves authentically and creatively. I use either a spritzer of lemongrass to shower myself with but really love to massage diluted oil around the neck, throat and shoulders and begin with some simple neck and shoulder stretches. Either way, following up with dancing the throat chakra is an amazing way to connect to this energy as is chanting or singing!
Close both eyes, and open the third
Our third eye chakra governs our ability to see the ‘big picture’ clearly – I like to use clary sage for meditation plus, it is also considered beneficial for clearing negative energies and encouraging dreams and enhancing our intuition. My favourite way to use this in a diffuser. It has a few contraindications though so do your research. If you don’t have a diffuser, then this oil (or diluted rosemary too) can be rubbed in the temple areas for supercharging your third eye. You may want to add a drop or two to a nice eye mask as well.
Finding oneness
The crown chakra represents our connection to source and our spirituality. This would be a highly personal selection if you ask me as we may experience this connection in different ways – visiting a place of worship, being in nature, riding a wave, climbing a mountain or doing a yoga class . Each of one these will evoke a different connection to a particular scent and hence essential oil. In my practice, I like frankincense in a diffuser for meditation, or some jasmine on the wrists for Chakradance, or settle back with a lavender scalp massage followed by some yoga nidra. H.E.A.V.E.N.L.Y.
All in all, you should do your research on the types of essential oils - their notes, their essence ‘personality’ or from others’ experiences to work into your spiritual practices in order to amplify the experience. To get started on your own personal journey, I suggest you use your intuition and let your preferences to guide you to select specific oils to combine with your practice. Then let the magic happen.
So, what oils switch you on and in what ways!
Heidi Rasikari has a PhD in plant science, is a dedicated yoga student and teacher, Chakradance facilitator and aromatherapist in the making. Read more About | Heidi Rasikari
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