Blending Aromatherapy and Fitness
- Jennifer Hawkins
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
We love putting intentional thought and creativity into our classes. We think fitness should be an enjoyable self-care journey. Our senses plays a big role in creating this experience. Studies show that aromatherapy can really enhance your workout, making it more enjoyable and motivating.
One article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health stated that incorporating aromatherapy "induced positive feelings during exercise, reduced fatigue during exercise, and improved participants’ feelings during the recovery period. Aroma has a key influence on exercisers’ feelings, and it can positively influence exercise satisfaction and persistence." [1]
Here are some examples of what we use in class and how it benefits our clients!
What you may smell diffusing in our client lounge:
Before class, we like to set the "vibe" for our whole studio. We want women, especially, to feel encouraged, inspired, and supported from the moment they walk in the door.
Wild Orange: used in clinical settings to reduce stress and uplift mood for nurses and hospital personnel
Bergamot: proven in studies to improve depressive mood in postpartum women [2]
Cedarwood: stimulates serotonin production, promotes feelings of contentment and confidence, and soothes airways for easy breathing
Lime: proven in studies to relieve exercise-induced fatigue, promotes positive thoughts
Lavender: decreases recovery time after a workout, reduces depressive and anxious feelings, improves plasticity of the brain and helps with adaptation to new experiences
A Little Mid-class Encouragement:
Just when you think you don't have the motivation or energy to finish class, the sweetest little puff of peppermint or eucalyptus wafts by. No, it's not just in your head… You do actually have more energy.
Here is what studies say that these oils do for your mind and body when used during exercise.
Peppermint
Eucalyptus
The Glorious Cool-Down:
We never end a class without melting into the mat and taking intentional time to JUST BREATHE before finishing off with some much needed stretches. This cool-down is crucial to a successful class. Exercise might tear the muscles down, but rest is where they grow and recover. Adding aromatherapy into this segment of class just makes perfect sense to help the body ease into better recovery. Without this important step, joints and muscles are left in a stress response and will become sore and stiff.
We have been trying a few different versions of this spray for the end of class. We'd love to know your opinion on which oils we feature!
1) Pink Pepper and Bergamot
Pink pepper- (sweet and woody) invites feelings of calmness, inspiration, and confidence
Bergamot- (light and citrusy) helps to reduce cortisol levels, lifts mood
2) French Lavender and Vanilla
Lavender- (herby and floral) eases anxious feelings and helps to calm the nervous system
Vanilla- (sweet and comforting) invites you to feel "at home" in your body and nurtured
3) Vetiver and Wild Orange
Vetiver- (earthy and relaxing) smells like a weighted blanket smells
Wild Orange- (bright and sweet) encouraging and uplifting
Help us pick a cool-down blend for class!
0%Bergamot and Pink Pepper
0%Lavender and Vanilla
0%Vetiver and Wild Orange
You can vote for more than one answer.
If you'd like to learn more about the art and science behind essential oil blending, join us for the Art of Blending Workshop.
We'll break down how and why essential oils work, learn a few simple ways to use them, and get hands-on practice blending different oils to create a spray to take home!