In recent weeks, I’ve been talking a lot about non-harming (Ahimsa in Sanskrit) in my classes. Ahimsa is one of the yamas or the behaviours (The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali) and is roughly and widely translated as non-harming but can also mean consideration and love (‘love thy neighbour …’) . Non-harming can mean anything from non-harming other people, animals, world around you but also yourself etc. I often take ahimsa as our responsibility of no injury but without being stuck on our principles which could endanger others.
For example, unintentionally harming others while being stuck in our principles of being a vegetarian. Or unintentionally harming others by overusing essential oils to improve.
I love essential oils but I have to be extremely careful with them. And they are everywhere these days. Everyone is using them, regardless of the qualifications and contraindications. Wellness industry in particular, which includes some yoga teachers. It has become popular to be offered essential oil before the class by the teachers, or to to use it during relaxation. And let me tell you, despite this popular belief, essential oils aren’t everyone’s cup of tea!
Some of my friends, who are also yoga teachers, won’t like me saying this, but I think it’s right to talk about it. Some studios in London are also selling bottles of essential oils and creams. So, is it right to bring an essential oil to a class? Should a teacher put on balm containing camphor, eucalyptus (including Dragon Balm) and other similar products on people’s shoulders to release muscle tension before the class? Is it right to get students to smell lavender oil for relaxation during Savasana?
I say, yes but only if everyone consented, and only when no contraindications were possible by its use (see below). Otherwise, no.
I’ve been to a couple of classes where it is offered to be used if that is what a student would like. Only benefits of the oils are highlighted, not contraindications. And I regularly refuse to take them. I suffer from headache and certain smells can indeed cause a headache, including scents of some essential oils. I’m also highly sensitive to smells and for a long time now have stopped using artificial scents. I can smell a scented person even if they are not sitting next to me! And that is true for some essential oils and natural scents. As it is true for many other people.
I recently taught a class where a student decided to use the oil and dab it onto herself in the middle of the class, to make her more relaxed and open! It never crossed her mind to ask the person next to her if it was OK for her and if it would bother her. Now, I would have stopped her had I known what she was going to do, but by the time I realised it was too late. And just as it happened, the person next to her suffered with migraines (she wasn’t affected during the class, but she was the day after).
My pregnancy students often talk about ‘a hospital bag’ (for labour) and one of the things mentioned and suggested by a midwife was an essential oil. Really?! Should a woman dab herself in scents before going into labour when all of her senses are heightened and when combined with the actual labour could cause sickness. Some of the essential oils should not be used in pregnancy and women should be extremely cautious when using the oils. and on the other point, shouldn’t your baby smell just their mother rather than your essential oil?! No matter how natural this oil was.
Using essential oils requires knowledge; they need to be diluted properly in base oils – my massage therapist friends know this very well. Many of the essential oils have contraindications and are not of the same quality. Lavender is widely touted as relaxing oil but it may be a contraindication for epilepsy and migraines. And many other essential oils are the same.
I’m by no means an authority on yoga or essential oils. But if you do use scents and oils, please use them with caution. And do think about all the people around you and the real meaning of ‘ahimsa’!
With all my love and light to you!
Namaste!
POST PUBLISHING:
With massive thanks to Consumer Advocate in the US for reading my blog who have read my article and who have themselves done a very detailed research into the use and misuse of essential oils, I am now publishing their report and findings on my website to help all those working with essential oils but also the consumers of essential oils within and outside of yoga and wellness industry. Consumer Advocate full report can be found on: https://www.consumersadvocate.org/essential-oils
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