It Smells So Nice in Here!

"Oh, it smells so nice in here!" "Even just the smell in here makes me feel relaxed."

I hear this so often in the studio that I thought I would take a few moments periodically to discuss the wonderful world of essential oils.

Our lovely studio scents are created by diffusing essential oils in a water based diffuser.

This style is filled with water and essential oils and the mixture is then atomized and released into the air. 

Although we enjoy the lovely fragrances that our essential oils impart to the studio, we also choose them to do specific jobs for us.   

Some oils are wonderful for cleaning, others can assist the body in healing from illness or injury. Still others can help us relax, sleep or improve our mood. 

For our first visit into the vast world of essential oils I thought we'd discuss the familiar and lovely: Lavender. 

If you enjoy the scent in our yoga studio then you have enjoyed Lavender. Although we occasionally add additional components, we most often diffuse Lavender all on its' own during yoga. 

We utilize lavender during yoga to promote relaxation. Lavender has been clinically evaluated for its' relaxing effects(1).  We can breathe in the relaxing aroma of lavender via a diffuser or by adding a few drops to a bath or steamy bowl of water and breathing in the vapor. 

Lavender is also known to be safe to apply to the skin (test a small drop first, and dilute in a carrier oil if necessary). We can apply lavender to our pulse points and allow the scent to promote relaxation. 

Lavender is also known to have antimicrobial properties and can be utilized to treat mild burns, scrapes and other skin irritations. Lavender is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia. 

Lavender oil is a lovely and effective tool to add to our toolbox. Allow it to help you relax, mist it around your desk at work, massage it into your neck or temples to combat a headache. Explore the many potential uses and please share your uses with us!


1. Guillemain J, et al . "Neurodepressive effects of the essenital oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill." Ann Pharm Fr. 1989;47(6);337-43