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Yoga meets aromatherapy at Old Town Yoga

Published On: November 9, 2009, 3:44 am

By Ishpreet Bindra

In a workshop never held before, acupuncturist and author David Crow is planning to bring two different therapies together and present an amalgamation of Yoga and Aromatherapy Old Town Yoga studio. The workshop will be held from November 13-15 and is called ‘Contemplative Aromatherapy’.

 
This technique of therapy incorporates a mix of the age old Buddhist meditation techniques and the principles of Ayurveda related to essential oils, from which aromatherapy stems.
 
Crow writes in his blog:
 
“The use of fragrance in mediation, contemplation and devotional practices, is widespread in the form of incense and altar offerings. Many of the ‘sacred scents’ such as frankincense, sandalwood, palo santo and agar weed that are used routinely in ceremonies and rituals now have documented research confirming their psychoactive properties as antidepressants, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety) and general mood enhancers.”
 
The workshop will provide the participants with an insight into the qualities of the aromatherapy essential oils and the role they play in enhancing meditative states. They will get to use these oils and see the difference they make in their, meditative abilities.
 
The workshop will use oils like lavender, conifer, rose and palo santo. Lavender is known to calm the senses and soothe the nervous system. Conifer oil is a mind refresher and it enhances concentration. Rose oil is said to boost loving and kindness, while palo santo increases the awareness of prana.
 
Crow writes:
 
“The basic principle that we learn in this retreat is that there is a biological unity and interdependence between the influences of sun and moon and the pranic intelligence of plants.” 
 
Crow has studied the Tibetan and Ayurvedic medicine in detail and has penned the book In Search of the Medicine Buddha. He is also the founder of Floracopeia, which is a company supporting ecologically sustainable agriculture and produces essential oils and aromatic products as well.
 
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