Yoga is meant to be a calming and centering experience. Creating the right environment with scented candles can enhance your living room yoga practice. The scents and gentle flicker of candlelight establish a peaceful ambiance, transporting you away from the stress of everyday life. When choosing scented candles for yoga, consider aromas that will relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect candles to complement your living room yoga practice.
Consider Florals and Herbs
Floral and herbal scented candles are ideal for creating a soothing yoga environment. The sweetness of floral candles like lavender, jasmine, rose and ylang ylang have calming properties that promote relaxation during yoga. Light, fresh herbal scents like chamomile, eucalyptus and mint are clarifying and help open airways and clear sinuses. They also provide an energizing aromatherapy boost when you need a pick-me-up during an afternoon or evening yoga session.
Citrus Scents for Uplifting Energy
Citrus scented candles like grapefruit, orange and lemon have bright, uplifting scents that provide a revitalizing energy boost. They help fight fatigue and improve mood with their sunny, joyful aromas. Citrus scents combine nicely with herbal or floral candles to balance their sweetness. They are ideal for morning living room yoga sessions when you need help waking up.
Warm, Comforting Scents
Warm, rich scents like vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg provide a comforting ambiance perfect for restorative yoga poses. Candles with smells reminiscent of baking evoke memories of home and childhood. The sweetness helps relieve stress and tension. Sandalwood, cedar and patchouli scented candles have earthy, woody aromas that create a grounded, meditative environment ideal for relaxing the body and mind.
Avoid Overpowering Scents
When selecting yoga candles, avoid scents that are too strong or overpowering. You want a soft, consistent aroma that complements your practice. Scents like musk, pine and cloves can be too sharp. Opt for light to medium scented candles, especially if you plan to stay in a pose for an extended period. Strong candle scents can become overwhelming and distracting when held.
Match the Scent with Your Intent
Consider your goal for your yoga practice when choosing a candle scent. Are you looking to unwind after a stressful day? Opt for a lavender or chamomile candle to calm the nerves. Need an energizing flow after a sluggish morning? Go for an uplifting citrus scent to get your circulation going. Tailor your candle selection to what you hope to achieve from your practice.
Consider Soy or Beeswax Candles
Look for scented candles made from natural wax like soy or beeswax. They burn cleaner than paraffin candles, producing less soot. Beeswax candles have a warm, golden glow that sets a relaxing mood. Soy candles burn slow and even for consistent fragrance diffusion. Avoid paraffin candles, which can produce more smoke and odor.
Use Essential Oil Diffusers Too
Combine scented candles with an essential oil diffuser for an aromatherapy boost. Diffusers allow you to customize blends to suit your mood. Lavender and bergamot is a great stress-relieving combo. Eucalyptus and lemon oils are energizing. Diffusers provide fragrance without an open flame, giving you more flexibility on placement around your yoga space.
Set Up Your Candles Safely
Never leave burning candles unattended. Place them on stable, heat resistant surfaces away from yoga mats or fabrics. Opt for enclosed or jar style candles rather than taper candles which can easily get knocked over. Blow candles out before inversions or any pose where you are upside down. Be mindful of the candle flame anytime your body is close to the ground.
Bring the Light Inward Too
As you gaze at the candlelight during meditation or resting poses, envision drawing that light inward to fill your body with warmth and serenity. Let the glow reflect in your heart, lighting you up from within. Scented candles create space for inner reflection. Allow their aromas to open your senses and guide your awareness inward. With practice, your living room yoga sanctuary will become a sacred space for mind-body rejuvenation.
