Previously I talked about the magical union of yoga and music. Today I would talk about the magical union of yoga and aroma. Breath work, or Pranayama is essential to yoga practice. Combination of breath and yoga help to balance our body and mind, and release tension or toxin. We know how breath affects the body’s function and state of mind. The olfactory experience is equally important.
[The Process]Olfactory is the process of creating the perception of smell. It occurs when an odor binds to a receptor within the nose, transmitting a signal through the olfactory system, eventually connecting to two brain areas that are strongly implicated in emotion and memory: the amygdala and hippocampus. Hence, scent can “teleport” us to a certain space/environment, or trigger certain emotion or sensation. With such perception, it helps to aid focus or relax mood and mind; in addition, certain perceptions can help to stimulate chakras and support energetic flow.
[Health Benefit]Other than creating perception, the molecules from essential oils do have medicinal effects. These are proven to help with cancer treatment, skin issues, respiratory issues, migraines, and heart issues, as well as to boost the immune system and improve the inner functioning of the body.
[Variety of Scents]So in actuality, how can we utilize the different scents to create the various experiences? I researched and summarized the common types of scents we can find around us and their functions below:
