Santosha: The Path to Contentment

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Contentment is defined as a state of happiness and satisfaction.

Emotionally it is in the middle of the emotional scale and vibrates at a fairly neutral resonance. It is that space within us where all is okay. It is a feeling that offers neutrality and a sense of ease because there is not the push for more.

When I first began to understand what it meant to live yoga, I wondered if I could I ever really achieve contentment?  The Sanksrit word for contentment is santosha which means to cultivate a sense of being all right with who I am and what I have. And yet, we are humans who have been conditioned to constantly crave and strive for more. Yogi or not, I have dreams and goals so contentment, or santosha, often eludes me. Both on the mat and off the mat.

My work is to balance my dreams with the presence of knowing that all is okay.  I mean REALLY knowing that all is okay.  I can still have my dreams, but right now, in this breath, all is okay.

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When we look at this on an emotional level, we see just underneath contentment on the emotional scale is complacency.  And just above it is hope.  So this middle ground of contentment could take you either way, depending on your awareness and your willingness to be, or not to be.

In my life, when faced with a challenge (on the mat or off),  I have three choices.

  1. Stay in contentment. I could recognize that my true self is pure and perfect. I can know that I am whole and good enough, right now.
  2. Slip into complacency. I could get lazy in my efforts and desires.  I could choose to weaken my desires and make excuses as to why it is not worth the effort due to my smugness and perhaps falsely known self-satisfaction.
  3. Rise into hope. I could take a breath and aim for a feeling of expectation and desire for goodness to happen.  I could take in the knowing that dreams and desires are right there waiting to arrive.

I  definitely do not spend much time in complacency. Although I am often vibrating higher in hope, optimism, positive expectation, enthusiasm, passion and ultimately deep appreciation, I am striving to also exist in the space of contentment.

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Categories of Essential Oils

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Discovering the Families of Essential Oils: Florals, Trees, Herbs, and Citrus

Essential oils offer us the essence of plants in their purest form, and each oil carries its own unique energy and purpose. By grouping them into families—florals, trees, herbs, and citrus—we can begin to understand their qualities on a deeper level. Whether you’re seeking grounding, uplifting, clarity, or emotional balance, exploring these categories helps you choose the perfect oil for your needs.

Each family has a distinct personality and connection to body, mind, and spirit:

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Florals: The Heart’s Whisper
Floral essential oils, like lavender, rose, and jasmine, carry soft yet powerful aromas that soothe the heart and uplift the spirit. These oils are often used for calming emotions, opening the heart chakra, and inviting feelings of love, compassion, and peace. Their delicate scents remind us to slow down and savor the beauty around us.

Trees: Grounded Strength
Tree essential oils, such as cedarwood, sandalwood, and fir, offer a deep, earthy aroma that connects us to the wisdom of nature. These oils are perfect for grounding practices, meditation, and emotional stability. Just as trees root deeply into the earth, these oils help us feel steady, supported, and anchored in our daily lives.

Herbs: Nature’s Healers
Herbal essential oils, like basil, rosemary, and peppermint, are vibrant and invigorating. They bring clarity to the mind, awaken the senses, and support physical and energetic cleansing. These oils are ideal for moments when you need focus, vitality, and a fresh perspective.

Citrus: Sunshine in a Bottle
Citrus essential oils, such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit, are bright, cheerful, and full of life. Their uplifting aromas spark joy, energize the body, and clear away stagnant energy. Perfect for mornings or whenever you need a boost of positivity and lightness.

Check out this handy guide to learn more about the basics of essential oil use.

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If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

 

Preparing the Soil

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I think of early March as a time to prepare for growth. To toil the ground and prepare ourselves for deep growth.  I also love spring and the symbolism it represents.  It is during the spring time that we often think of beginnings, newness, and growth.  For some, this is a great time to begin to cultivate your “soil” to soon plant seeds of intention. One way to do this is to write down anything in your life you wish to increase–friendships, health, abundance or joy, are just a few ideas.  Be clear with your visions as this brings life to your “seeds”.

Next, it is so important to prepare your inner “soil” by eliminating and removing the old and now transpired blossoms of last year.  The memories of past that have come and go and no longer as vibrant as they were just a few short months ago. When we invest time in preparing ourselves for a season of growth (no matter what time of year, really) we must start with cleaning up the areas so that we are open to allow space for growth. When we spend time doing this we are investing time into right now.  We are dirtying our hands with the fertile soil that awaits.

As you do this, become aware of the subtle changes in Nature during this time of the year.  You might see the peeking of crocus bulbs emerging from the hardened winter ground.  Watch as the trees begin to grow tiny nubs that will soon break into full leaves.  Listen as the birds start to make song in the early mornings and the air has a scent of newness.  Use all of your senses to experience what is happening around you.

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As we connect with Nature we also connect with ourselves. We realize that we too, are ever-changing and growing beings.  We can set the seeds of intention and begin to nurture and cultivate what we wish to have grown in our lives.

This month in my classes we will be exploring cleansing postures to eliminate the old and make space for new.  We will also be looking at ways our bodies can twist and unwind to come fully into the now.

Here is to growing, less pain, more joy and flourishing!  Happy Spring and while you are preparing your soul for growth it is never a bad idea to get your hands dirty in Mother Earth, either.

Learn more about this powerful process in this short video! 

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If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

How Fast Do Essential Oils Work

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The power of essential oils is so incredible. In my personal use and in my yoga business I see this over and over.  A simple sniff of an essential oil can quickly bring a desired benefit. Since a part of our brain known as the amygdala responds to aroma and is essentially responsible for our emotions, state of arousal and memories smelling something can send a natural hormone response in the brain to produce certain hormones that can influence our moods. Think dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. 

Your sense of smell is much more accurate than any of your other senses. Your ability to smell comes from sensory cells called Olfactory Sensory Neurons, found in a small patch of tissue very high in your nose. Those cells connect to your brain.

Each of those sensory neurons has one odor receptor – and molecules released by substances around us stimulate these receptors. Once your neurons detect your molecules, they send messages to your limbic lobe of your brain.

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Our sense of smell is 10,000 more sensitive than our other senses. Scent travels faster to the brain with smell than it does with sight, or even sound.

The limbic lobe is a group of brain structures that is below the cortex of the brain – it includes the amygdala and the hippocampus. Your limbic lobe (system of brain structures) is directly connected to the parts of your brain that control many aspects of your body – hormone levels, stress, memory, breathing, heart rate, and more.

The only way to stimulate the emotional brain is through your sense of smell – which is one of the reasons why Essential Oils can work so incredibly well. Feelings of depression, fear, anger, happiness, joy and even anxiety all originate from the limbic lobe of the brain.

Essential Oils can help alleviate symptoms at a cellular level through their therapeutic properties–because that stimulation of hormones and chemicals can drastically affect physiology and behavior.

Essential Oils can be stimulating (Peppermint), calming (Lavender), sedative (Cedarwood), balancing (Frankincense, and so much more.  

Look at how fast essential oils work in the body.  Remarkable, huh?

Enjoy this free ebook on essential oil basics. Enjoy!

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If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Cooling Balance: An Essential Oil Blend for Pitta Dosha

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Cooling Balance: An Essential Oil Blend for Pitta Dosha

Pitta dosha, governed by the elements of fire and water, gives us drive, focus, and a passionate zest for life. But when Pitta becomes excessive—especially in the heat of summer or during stressful times—it can lead to irritability, impatience, and an overheated body and mind.

This calming essential oil blend is designed to soothe and balance Pitta’s fiery energy. With cooling, sweet, and grounding aromas, it helps you restore inner harmony, release tension, and invite a sense of ease and flow. Perfect for moments when you need to cool the flames and reconnect with your natural state of balance.

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I finally figured out why I have so much heat (inflammation) in my body. I have a really hard time this time of year and I remembered a few days ago that historically the time that is summer turning to fall is sooooo hard on me because of my Ayurvedic dosha Pitta. (Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga that looks at body constitution). I seem to burning on fire inside and outside, and interestingly bugs and insects are obsessed with me.  They must sense my inner fire and want some.

The last few weeks have been really hard with a constant inner burning.  My joints are on fire, my belly is boiling, I have a burning in my stomach no matter what I eat, my temper is a tiny bit shorter and I am overall just hot.

I have started to implement eating more cucumbers, taking cooler showers and baths, drinking cool water, spending time with blues and greens, meditating on cool water imagery and just doing what I know to do. I also created a lovely and pitta-dosha calming blend—it’s all the lovely cool florals; rose, jasmine, neroli, lavender, helichrysum, geranium and sandalwood. Plus, I added some peppermint for a topical cooling sensation. I added turquoise to amplify it’s cooling properties and bring in the cool vibes of turquoise.  I apply this to my neck, chest and spine a few times a day.

If you’d like to know more about your dosha, let’s chat. I have some great resources and can do a quick assessment. Also, be sure to check out this free ebook for reference to essential oils.

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If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Speak Your Truth: A Throat Chakra Essential Oil Blend

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Speak Your Truth: A Throat Chakra Essential Oil Blend

The Throat Chakra, or Vishuddha, is the energy center of communication, self-expression, and truth. When this chakra is balanced, we feel confident sharing our thoughts and feelings with clarity and kindness. But when it’s blocked, we may struggle to find our voice or feel unheard.

This soothing essential oil blend is designed to support and open the Throat Chakra, encouraging you to speak your truth with ease. With calming and uplifting aromas, it creates a sense of flow and freedom in your self-expression—whether through words, creativity, or quiet reflection.A beautiful custom blend of essential oils and sodalilte.  This blend works to balance and open the fifth chakra so that truth and communication can be easily achieved.

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The Throat chakra is about the expression of yourself: Your truth, purpose in life, creativity. Note that this chakra has a natural connection with the second chakra or sacral chakra, center of emotions and creativity as well. The throat chakra’s emphasis is on expressing and projecting the creativity into the world according to its perfect form or authenticity.

If you are interested in learning more about chakras, essential oils and gemstones, follow this link to a free online course.  If you are ready to start using essential oils for your mind, body and spirit, go here.

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If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Why You Should Always Use a Carrier Oil with Essential Oils

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Why You Should Always Use a Carrier Oil with Essential Oils

Essential oils are powerful, concentrated plant extracts that can offer incredible benefits for your body and mind. But did you know that applying them directly to your skin—without diluting them—can often do more harm than good? This is where carrier oils come in.

Carrier oils, like coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond oil, are gentle plant-based oils that “carry” essential oils safely onto your skin. They help dilute the potency of essential oils, reducing the risk of irritation, while also making it easier for your skin to absorb their nourishing properties. Using a carrier oil isn’t just about safety—it’s also about enhancing your aromatherapy experience and getting the most from your favorite blends.

In this post, we’ll explore why carrier oils are essential, how to choose the right one for your needs, and the best dilution ratios for safe and effective use

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When using essential oils topically, I prefer to blend with fractionated coconut oil. FCO is odorless, non-greasy, absorbs easily and doesn’t go rancid quickly. I use roller bottles for essential oils I use often; this gives me oils with a carrier and helps to stretch out my oils over time.

Why use a carrier?

Although essential oils are readily absorbed, there are many ways to increase absorption. Using a light massage will increase the blood flow to the area of application, in turn improving distribution throughout the body. Also, use of a carrier oil can also increase absorption, especially in skin that is dry or flaky as it helps moisturize the skin and slow evaporation of the oil. Giving the essential oil a carrier to “grab” onto will also prevent the molecules of the EO to evaporate before going deep into the skin for benefit.

To decrease the likelihood of developing a skin sensitivity, especially on young or sensitive skin, it is advisable to use a carrier oil to dilute more potent oils and when trying an oil for the first time. The recommend dilution ratio is typically one drop of essential oil to three drops of carrier oil.It’s always advisable to use several small doses throughout the day rather than a single large dose. Start with the lowest possible dose (1–2 drops). A topical dose can be repeated every 4–6 hours as needed. Because every individual is unique, the dose will vary for each individual based on size, age, and overall health status.

Beneficial Areas You Can Apply Essential Oils:

•Neck
•Forehead and temples
•Chest and abdomen
•Arms, legs, bottom of feet.

Be cautious and avoid some facial areas, such as the skin around the eyes, and broken, damaged, or otherwise injured skin.

Interested in learning more? Check out this handy guide.

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Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.

Essential Oil Chakra Blends 

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Balancing Your Energy: Essential Oil Blends for the Chakras

Our bodies are deeply connected to energy centers known as chakras, and when these energy points are balanced, we often feel more grounded, inspired, and at ease in our daily lives. One beautiful way to support these energy centers is through the use of essential oils. With their natural aromas and therapeutic properties, essential oils can help open, align, and nurture each chakra—bringing harmony to body, mind, and spirit.

In this post, we’ll explore simple, intentional essential oil blends you can use to support each chakra. Whether you’re new to energy work or looking to deepen your practice, these blends invite you to pause, breathe, and connect to your inner wisdom.

Keeping our chakras open and balanced is critical for the overall health of our mind, body and spirit.  Using gemstone and plant vibrations that resonate with our energy centers, along with affirmations,  is a beautiful way to begin to find harmony.

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The blends: 

  • Root: black tourmaline; cypress, sandalwood, balance, vetiver and cedarwood. I AM.
  • Sacral: carnelian; clary sage, patchouli, bergamot,  ylang ylang and wild orange I FEEL.
  • Solar plexus: citrine; cinnamon, coriander, ginger, clove, and peppermint. I DO.  
  • Heart: rose quartz; lavender, cypress, lemon, orange, whisper and sandalwood I LOVE.
  • Throat: sodalite; bergamot, peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptus and lavender. I SPEAK.
  • 3rd eye: amethyst; cedarwood, lemongrass, frankincense, marjoram, sandalwood. I SEE. 
  •  Crown: quartz crystal; frankincense, myrrh, Roman chamomile, lavender and rosemary. I UNDERSTAND. 

*Also each blend has a clear quartz crystal inside to amplify the crystals chosen in each blend. 

You can purchase these here.
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If you love my content and want more tools for mindfulness & movement, check out my digital products on Buy Me a Coffee! Your support helps me continue creating. 

Looking for the tools and products I swear by? Visit my Amazon storefront for a handpicked collection of my favorite finds—from kitchen gadgets to wellness essentials. Click here to explore and shop my must-haves.

If you would love to be part of my essential oil community and are ready to start using pure essential oils, shop here or email me for a free 1:1 consultation.