Like avocado and toast or acai and granola, yoga and essential oils are a match made in heaven. Whether you’ve been doing yoga for years or don’t know your asana from your pranayama, you can benefit from adding these power-packed aromas to your practice.

Need help to feel grounded during your vinyasa? There’s an oil for that. Want to transform your room into a serene yoga studio? There’s a diffuser blend for that. Can’t seem to get the stinky-feet smell out of your yoga mat? You’re not alone! And guess what? Essential oils can help there too.

Ready to discover the benefits essential oils can bring to your yoga class or at-home routine? Check out some of the best essential oils for yoga, plus ways to perfect your practice with aromatherapy.

Best essential oils for yoga

• Lavender essential oil
• Patchouli essential oil
• Frankincense essential oil
• Ylang Ylang essential oil
• Orange essential oil
• Clary Sage essential oil
• Eucalyptus Radiata essential oil

How do you use essential oils in yoga?

Essential oils enhance your yoga practice in many ways, from setting the scene to keeping your mat smelling fresh and clean. Wherever you are in your yoga journey, get more out of your flow with these tips.

1. Namaslay with a room spray. Before you start your sun salutations, mix a few of your favorite oils from the list above in a spray bottle with water. Then spritz into the air to surround yourself with the soothing scents of nature.

YL tip: For 3 ounces of water, add 15–20 drops of oil.

2. Mind your mantra. As you set an intention for your yoga practice, put a drop of Ylang Ylang on your heart center.

3. Bring it ommm. Dilute a drop of Patchouli or Clary Sage and rub onto your wrists. Breathe in the scent during difficult poses like crow and wheel.

4. Sink into stillness. One of the best ways to use essential oils in savasana is by rubbing a drop of Lavender or Frankincense into your forehead and massaging it toward your temples.

5. Make a mat mist. Combine 4 ounces water, 4 ounces witch hazel, and 3 drops Orange essential oil in a spray bottle; spritz onto your mat and wipe clean. Roll the mat up when it’s dry.

6. Treat yourself to a spa-like reward. Before you hit the mat, dampen a washcloth with cold water and a drop each of Eucalyptus Radiata and Frankincense. Then pop it in the freezer, so it’s nice and frosty for your cooldown.

7. Amp up the ambiance. Set the scene for another successful yoga practice with this studio-worthy diffuser blend.

Say “Ommm” diffuser blend

Practice deep inhalations with the peaceful aromas of Lavender and Ylang Ylang  boosted by the refreshing, rejuvenating scent of Eucalyptus Radiata.