Chakra Yoga Series: Part 5, Throat Chakra
Finding balance at the throat Chakra is the theme for this week
This week we’ve continued our journey through the Chakra’s, moving from the Heart Chakra last week, and reaching the Throat Chakra, Vishudda. And again the influence this chakra has had over our classes this week has been palpable.
Focus on the breath
This week our practice focused on:
Ujjayi Breath
Gentle stretches across the neck
Percussive sound
Yoga Asana (postures) that opened the chest and let the energy flow
The nature of Spring and the elements of wood and either.
Thoughtful communication, mudra and mantra.
The call of the ocean
The Throat Chakra is focused on expression and effective communication. Although we tend to think of this as purely verbal, this chakra has allowed us to explore our non-verbal communication as well. Saying that sound has been at the heart of our practice and what better way to explore this chakra than by starting with the breath.
Ujjayi breath, also known as Ocean breath was the anchor for our pranayama this week. From beginning to end, it allowed us to draw our focus into the here and now and explore it’s sound in isolation, and with the presence of the rest of the world. Described by Anodea Judith as the “internal Om”, Ocean Breath enables us to conquer fear, bring clarity to the mind and support us in speaking our truth.
Releasing and Harmonising
Our class followed a rising energy this week, rising from the Root Chakra, we starting with gentle stretches through the neck and shoulders, shoulder shrugs were followed by more active seated yoga mudra linked to the inhale and exhale these gentle built the energy. The build in energy enable us to move to the Warrior poses and from there to Revolved Side Angle pose.
Mantra and Mudra
For mudras we explored Self-Esteem and Sky Mudra, firstly tapping into our inner truth, then heightening our listening abilities and careful contemplation.
Mantra’s included “I am truthful and honest with myself” and “I communicate openly and honestly to express my thoughts and feelings clearly.”
Essential oils for the Throat Chakra
If I’m honest I was spoilt for choice this week. But taking into account that it is currently Spring here in the UK I chose Bergamot and Lavender to compliment our practice this week.
Bergamot I chose for its optimism and uplifting qualities. These directly allow the body to free up, by releasing pent up feelings and emotions.
Lavender I chose for its ability to encourage self expression and release stuck energy. As we used it towards the end of our practice it’s calming properties were also enjoyed.
Join me for a class, workshop or CPD training
My joy is in sharing my two great passions, yoga and aromatherapy and I would love to have you come on this journey with me.
I teach yoga classes in Sussex, run yoga workshops monthly (sometimes more) and have a wonderful community of yoga teachers who have been on my Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD training and are passionate to learn more about how to safely incorporate essential oils into their workshops and classes.
In three week’s
We’ll be journeying up the Sushumna Nadi to the Third Eye, Ajna chakra and exploring were our consciousness meets our unconsciousness and our intuition resides.
Sources and Inspiration
The themes explored in this class were informed by my own knowledge of traditional yoga philosophy and practice. My experience as a professional aromatherapist and inspiration from:
Anodea Judith’s Chakra Yoga, published by Llewellyn Books
Aromatherapy for healing the spirit, Gabriel Mojay, published by Healing Arts Press
Mudras for Body, Mind & Spirit by Gertrud Hirschi, published by Tarotdeck
The Power of the Chakra’s, Fiona Toy, published by Hinkler
These sources often inform the framework I use when designing themed yoga classes that integrate movement, breath, subtle energy and essential oils.
The Chakra Yoga series:
You can explore the whole series so far by following these links to my chakra yoga blogs for each one:
Week One: The Root Chakra
Week Two: The Sacral Chakra
Week Three: The Solar Plexus Chakra
Week Four: The Heart Chakra
Week Five: You’re already here!
Week Six: Coming April 17th 2026
Week Seven: Coming April 24th 2026
Chakra Yoga Series: Part 4, Heart Chakra
Opening the heart Chakra
This week we have journeyed up to the centre of the chakra system and found ourselves at Anahata Chakra, commonly know as the Heart Chakra.
This Chakra is in the centre of the 7 main yogic chakra’s and as such is the meeting point of our more intellectual, physical beings and our more spiritual selves. This chakra is associated with unconditional love, towards ourselves and others, so it’s been a much softer week compared to ourSolar Plexus journey.
Opening the heart
This week our practice focused on:
Expanding the chest through pranayama (breathwork)
Alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana)
The Krama breathing technique Anuloma (Thanks to Anodea Judith for this inspiration)
Asana which opened the heart and chest
Poses like Anahata, or Puppy pose which soften the heart to the earth
Strength through the legs, softness through the arms.
Finding strength in letting go
This weeks practice invited us all to be vulnerable, be it through posture, breathwork (trying something very new) or with the use of a rather unusual mudra which sometimes didn’t work, so we accepted and adjusted. Making space for ourselves just as we are. And a yoga teacher it also asked me to be vulnerable, to be more open about how my own heart leads me in my teaching each week.
Well rooted we rose
I’m really enjoying exploring the chakras in this way and really noticed in this weeks practice how having a strong connection to the chakras we’ve explored so far really supported the opening of the heart. Feeling rooted, through a sprinkle ofRoot Chakraposes helped us feel grounded and ready. Being more creative with well know asana’s helped us to soften and flow like our Sacral Chakra week and with last weeks self confidence boost at the Solar Plexusto lean into we really could soften the heart.
And my favourite manifestation this week was
“I love myself the way I am, not the way I was or could be, and I extend this love to others.”
Essential Oils from the Heart
This week we started our essential oils and yoga practice with an oil I love, Laurel (Bay). This oils continues on really nicely from last weeks self confience supporting oils as it’s inspiring notes boost the self esteme and help to renew our belief in our own boundless potential.
Our second oil, was Rose. Love, trust, self acceptance and emotional wellbeing are at the root of the energetic properties of this oil and I really couldn’t think of a better oil to support our open hearted journey through alternate nostril breathing and savasna.
Join me for a class, workshop or CPD training
My joy is in sharing my two great passions, yoga and aromatherapy and I would love to have you come on this journey with me.
I teach yoga classes in Sussex, runyoga workshops monthly (sometimes more) and have a wonderful community of yoga teachers who have been on my Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD training and are passionate to learn more about how to safely incorporate essential oils into their workshops and classes.
Next week
We’ll be journeying up the Sushumna Nadi to the Throat, Visuddha chakra and exploring our thoughtful communication and expression - I can’t wait!
Sources and Inspiration
The themes explored in this class were informed by my own knowledge of traditional yoga philosophy and aromatherapy as well as inspiration from:
Anodea Judith’s Chakra Yoga, published by Llewellyn Books
Aromatherapy for healing the spirit, Gabriel Mojay, published by Healing Arts Press
Mudras for Body, Mind & Spirit by Gertrud Hirschi, published by Tarotdeck
These sources often inform the framework I use when designing themed yoga classes that integrate movement, breath, subtle energy and essential oils.
The Chakra Yoga series:
You can explore the whole series so far by following these links to my chakra yoga blogs for each one:
Week One: The Root Chakra
Week Two: The Sacral Chakra
Week Three: The Solar Plexus Chakra
Week Four: You’re already here!
Week Five: The Throat Chakra
Week Six: Coming April 17th 2026
Week Seven: Coming April 24th 2026
Chakra Yoga Series Part 3: Solar Plexus Chakra
Plank pose to fire up the Solar Plexus Chakra
After establishing a grounded root and exploring our creativity in week 2, week 3 classes’ have been exploring the power of the Solar Plexus Chakra, Manipura.
The element of this Chakra is fire and boy did that translate into our practice, where strength was the key word through every posture. This chakra is associated with self confidence, optimism, and determination without the need to trample over others. It was a great, if challenging week on the mat.
Drawing on our personal power
This week our practice focused on:
Uplifting our energy
Restoring confidence and optimism in our ability to achieve
Holding poses for longer
Warrior poses, plank, boat - expansive and strong
Facing the physical challenge to see how much we are capable of
Holding for longer
By spending longer in poses like Warrior two, plank pose and down dog, we had to draw on our well of inner strength to last the distance. The breath was our supportive guide, enabling us to strengthen our will power to stay for longer. This practice really challenged us physically, but the rewards of knowing we could do it were great.
Oils to support our fire
Alongside our asana practice, we worked with 2 beautiful essential oils to enhance our exploration of the Solar Plexus Chakra.
This weeks practice started with Lemon essential oil. A breath of bright, uplifting fresh air, it wiped the slate of the day clean and encouraged us to let go of emotional confusion and doubt, clearing the mind, encouraging self-trust and uplifting us in body and soul.
Then Pine essential oil was introduced towards the end of the practice. This fortifying scent helped to bolster our confidence and like Pine often does, it re-established our connection to life in the hear and now.
I absolutely loved this combination of oils for all it added to our Solar Plexus Chakra Yoga class this week. This class takes place on a Tuesday morning at Ditchling Pavilion.
Continuing the journey next week
Next week we’ll be reaching the Heart Chakra, Anahata. This chakra which is the link between the lower, more physical chakras, and the upper, more spiritual and ethereal ones. And once again our practice will change to explore this energy centre in all its glory
If you’re intrigued to explore this in your own yoga practice you are warmly invited to join us on this journey through the Chakras. Click to discover my yoga classes, workshops and retreats.
Essential Oils and Themed Yoga Teaching
Working with aroma alongside yoga can add a subtle but powerful layer to themed classes, workshops and retreats.
Essential oils like Lemon and Pine can deepen the energetic tone of a practice and help guide students deeper into the qualities you’re exploring.
For yoga teachers, learning how to integrate essential oils safely and intentionally can open up new possibilities for creating meaningful, sensory-led classes, workshops and retreats. Check out my practical guide to essential oil safety in yoga classes here
If you're a teacher interested in exploring this approach, I share the framework I use for blending aromatherapy with yoga practice inside my on demand Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD, where we explore safety, how to use scent to deepen your students yoga practice, and ways to weave scent into themed classes such as chakra practices.
You can learn more about the training here: Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD
Sources and Inspiration
The themes explored in this class were informed by my own knowledge of traditional yoga philosophy and aromatherapy as well as inspiration from:
Anodea Judith’s Chakra Yoga, published by Llewellyn Books
The Power of the Chakra’s, Fiona Toy, published by Hinkler
Aromatherapy for healing the spirit, Gabriel Mojay, published by Healing Arts Press
These sources are a few of the books I go to to inform the framework I use when designing themed yoga classes that integrate asana, pranayama, subtle energy and essential oils.
The Chakra Yoga series:
You can explore the whole series so far by following these links to my chakra yoga blogs for each one:
Week One: The Root Chakra
Week Two: The Sacral Chakra
Week Three: Your already here
Week Four: The Heart Chakra
Week Five: The Throat Chakra (coming March 27th)
Week Six: Coming April 17th 2026
Week Seven: Coming April 24th 2026
Chakra Yoga Series Part 2: Sacral Chakra
Sacral chakra flow yoga, opening the arms in a wide circle
After establishing a strong base at the root chakra, Muladhara, last week, this week our practice focused on softening and flow, as we worked up the sushumna, the central energetic axis that runs through the body, to explore the sacral chakra, Svadhistana.
This chakra is the energetic centre associated with creativity, desires and fluid movement. Located in the lower belly and connected to the element of water, it invites us to move into a deeper relationship with feeling, expression and flow.
Inviting Fluidity into the Body
This week in our practice we explored flowing movement. Instead of strong held postures, we enjoyed:
Circular movements through the hips, spine and shoulders.
Ripples through the torso
Flowing transitions between asana’s
And as always we invited the breath to guide the rhythm of movement
Flowing movements can feel surprisingly liberating. Where the root chakra grounds us, you can read more about that in my root chakra blog, the sacral chakra, whose element is water, invites us to explore what happens when the body begins to move more freely.
Creativity in Stillness
Creativity is often imagined as something expressive and outward, but the sacral chakra also teaches us about creative stillness. Giving us the opportunity to listen to our bodies, responding to sacral chakra manta’s like:
It is time for me to manifest what I need. I ask myself “what do I need?”
Throughout the practice we used simple hand gestures, or mudras, to support this process. We used “Relax Mudra” to help us let it flow, and used our breath like a wave through the body to help us release tension. We also explored Saraswati Mudra, which links directly to it’s namesake, the goddess of creativity. This mudra encourages us to be open to inspiration, tapping into our creativity and joyfully acknowledging out talents and good ideas.
Working with Aroma to Support Flow
Alongside the movement practice, we worked with two essential oils that beautifully reflect the qualities of the sacral chakra.
Juniper Berry has a fresh, cleansing aroma that many people experience as clarifying and uplifting. Energetically, it helps us break through times of stagnation and fortifies our will power with it’s instinctive confidence and positivity.
Jasmine brings a soft, floral sweetness that is often associated with creativity, sensuality and emotional openness. Energetically its Yin leanings help restore our capacity for creative thought. A harmonious oil it enhances our intuition and helps us tap back into our true desires.
Together, these scents supported the theme of flow, supporting students move from grounded stability into a more water inspired expressive space.
A Simple Practice to Try at Home
If you’d like to explore sacral chakra energy in your own time, try this simple practice:
Lie down in semi-supine, knees bent, feet flat on the floor.
Rest the hands on the low belly, fingers interlaced, thumbs apart (Rest Mudra)
As you exhale press the low back into the floor, as you inhale release.
Keep the belly soft at all times. repeat for 2-3 minutes.
If you have Jasmine or Juniper nearby, pop a drop of one or both onto a cotton pad or into a diffuser and let the oils take you deeper..
Notice how you feel. Just a few minutes can create space for creativity and emotional flow.
Continuing the Journey
Our chakra exploration continues next week as we move upward to the Solar Plexus, Manipura Chakra, the centre associated with personal power, confidence and inner fire.
Having established grounding at the root and fluidity in the sacral chakra, we begin to explore how these foundations support strength and self-trust.
Each layer builds on the one before.
And as always, you are warmly welcome to join us. Click to discover my yoga classes, workshops and retreats.
Essential Oils and Themed Yoga Teaching
Working with aroma alongside movement can add a subtle but powerful layer to themed yoga classes, workshops and retreats.
Essential oils like Juniper and Jasmine can deepen the emotional tone of a practice and help guide students deeper into the qualities you’re exploring.
For yoga teachers, learning how to integrate essential oils safely and intentionally can open up new possibilities for creating meaningful, sensory-led classes, workshops and retreats. Check out my practical guide to essential oil safety in yoga classes here
If you're a teacher interested in exploring this approach, I share the framework I use for blending aromatherapy with yoga practice inside my on demand Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD, where we explore safety, how to use scent to deepen your students yoga practice, and ways to weave scent into themed classes such as chakra practices.
You can learn more about the training here: Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD
Sources and Inspiration
The themes explored in this class were informed by my own knowledge of traditional yoga philosophy and aromatherapy as well as inspiration from:
Anodea Judith’s Chakra Yoga, published by Llewellyn Books
Aromatherapy for healing the spirit, Gabriel Mojay, published by Healing Arts Press
Mudras for Body, Mind & Spirit by Gertrud Hirschi, published by Tarotdeck
These sources often inform the framework I use when designing themed yoga classes that integrate movement, breath, subtle energy and essential oils.
The Chakra Yoga series:
You can explore the whole series so far by following these links to my chakra yoga blogs for each one:
Week One: The Root Chakra
Week Two: You’re already here
Week Three: The Solar Plexus Chakra
Week Four: The Heart Chakra
Week Five: The Throat Chakra (coming March 27th)
Week Six: Coming April 17th 2026
Week Seven: Coming April 24th 2026
Essential Oil Safety for Yoga Teachers: A Practical Guide
Essential oil safety for yoga teachers: dilution, storage and best practice for classes and retreats.
Essential oils can beautifully enhance your yoga classes, workshops, and personal practice. They can support us in so many ways, from energising our practice, to grounding it. But they are also highly concentrated plant extracts, and with that potency in mind, I suggest, if you’re weaving essential oils into your yoga teaching following the safety guidelines below.
1. Keep Essential Oils Out of Reach of Children and Babies
Essential oils are not harmless fragrances. They are powerful substances that should always be stored safely and kept well out of reach of children and babies.
Even small amounts can cause irritation or harm if misused. Treat them with the same care you would give medicine.
2. Always Have a Vegetable Oil on Hand (Never Use Water)
This is one of the most important safety principles.
If an essential oil causes discomfort on the skin, or accidentally gets into the eye, do not use water. Water can drive the oil further into the tissue and increase irritation.
Instead:
Use a vegetable-based carrier oil (such as rapeseed, jojoba, or almond oil).
Apply generously to dilute and gently wipe away the essential oil.
Keep a carrier oil nearby whenever you’re working with essential oils in class and if your at home any cooking oil will do.
3. Keep Oils Away from the Eyes
Essential oils and eyes do not mix.
If you’re adding oils to an eye pillow or eye mask during savasana:
Ensure there is a layer of fabric between the oil and the skin
Never apply oils directly where they could transfer into the eyes
I personally prefer to scent my eye masks well before using them.
A simple barrier makes all the difference.
4. Store Oils Properly
To preserve their therapeutic properties:
Store in a cool place
Keep away from direct sunlight
Ensure lids are tightly closed
Use dark-coloured bottles (amber or cobalt blue are ideal) Or a bottle which comes in it’s own container.
Sunlight and heat can degrade essential oils over time, reducing their effectiveness and altering their chemical composition.
5. Keep Away from Open Flames
Some essential oils are flammable. Avoid using them near candles, incense burners, or open flames.
This is especially important in yoga spaces where candles are commonly used.
6. Never Use Essential Oils Neat (Undiluted)
Essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin without dilution.
Using oils neat can:
Cause contact dermatitis
Lead to skin sensitisation (which may be lifelong)
Increase risk of irritation
Diluting with a carrier oil not only improves safety — it also provides additional skin-nourishing benefits you wouldn’t want to miss.
7. Understand Phototoxic Oils
Some essential oils are phototoxic. This means they can cause skin reactions, rashes, or dark pigmentation if the skin is exposed to sunlight within 3–4 days after application.
Most citrus oils fall into this category, along with some others.
If you plan to be in the sun:
Apply phototoxic oils only to areas that will remain covered (and always dilute them)
Or use them aromatically instead (diffuser, inhalation, on a cotton pad)
This is particularly important if you’re running outdoor yoga sessions.
8. Pregnancy and Health Conditions
Not all essential oils are suitable during pregnancy or for certain health conditions.
Before using essential oils:
Research oils that should be avoided during pregnancy
Check contraindications for specific health conditions
Encourage your students to disclose relevant health information
If you (or a student) have a medical condition, always research thoroughly before use.
9. Treat Essential Oils Like Medicine
Essential oils are natural — but “natural” does not mean harmless.
Treat them with the same respect you would give medicine or herbal supplements. Continue learning about:
Oil properties
Contraindications
Safe dilution rates
Proper usage methods
Responsible use is part of being an ethical yoga teacher.
Want to Go Deeper? Train With Me
If you’re a yoga teacher who wants to confidently and safely integrate essential oils into your classes, workshops, or retreats, my Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD was created with you in mind.
Inside the training, we go far beyond the basics and explore:
How to use essential oils safely and professionally in yoga classes, workshops, and retreats
How specific oils can influence mood and energy, and deepen connection to the breath, body, mind, and soul
Themed workshop ideas — plus exactly how and when to use oils within a class setting
Contraindications, safety considerations, and pregnancy guidance
Thoughtful ways to expand your offerings (and income) with integrity
This training is designed to give you the knowledge, confidence, and professional foundation to work with essential oils both responsibly and intuitively — so you can enhance your teaching in a way that feels aligned, ethical, and impactful.
You can learn more about the training here:
👉 Essential Oils for Yoga Teachers CPD
Final Thoughts: Safety First, Always
These are safety guidelines — and they matter.
But alongside them, use your common sense. If something doesn’t feel appropriate for your setting, your students, or the environment, trust that instinct.
When used safely and thoughtfully, essential oils can become a beautiful, supportive extension of your yoga teaching. Respect their potency and they’ll serve you and your students well.
6 Essential Oils for Hormone Balance & Emotional Support in Yoga Classes
6 Essential Oils Yoga Teachers Can Use for Hormone & Mood Support in classses.
6 Essential Oils Yoga Teachers Can Use for Hormone & Mood Support
As a yoga teacher and aromatherapist, I’m a big believer in taking a holistic approach to the different stages of a woman’s life. Hormonal shifts, whether during perimenopause, times of stress, or emotional transition, can affect sleep, mood, energy and focus.
One gentle and powerful way to offer support in your yoga practice or classes is through essential oils.
If you’re a yoga teacher wanting to incorporate aromatherapy safely into your classes, this guide will introduce six beautiful oils that can support hormone balance, emotional wellbeing and nervous system regulation.
Essential Oil Safety for Yoga Teachers (read full advice here)
Before using essential oils in yoga classes, safety is essential.
Do not take essential oils internally.
Do not apply oils neat to the skin — always dilute in a carrier oil (sweet almond oil is ideal; even rapeseed oil works).
Check contraindications for each oil.
If you or your students are on medication, advise them to consult their GP before use.
The safest and most accessible way to use essential oils in yoga classes is aromatically through inhalation.
Simple methods include:
One drop on a cotton pad for individual use
Personal inhalers
Diffusing oils in a well-ventilated space
Inhalation allows the aromatic compounds to interact directly with the limbic system of the brain, having an immediate impact on our bodies, minds and souls.
1. Bergamot – For Uplifting Low Mood
Bergamot is a beautiful citrus oil that feels both uplifting and gently energising.
It’s ideal for:
Low mood
Fatigue
Emotional heaviness
In a yoga class, bergamot works beautifully at the beginning of practice to shift stagnant energy and create lightness in the room.
2. Rose – For Self-Compassion
Rose is often called the oil of self-love.
During hormonal transitions, many women feel disconnected from themselves. Rose supports heart opening, compassion and emotional processing.
This oil pairs beautifully with:
Women’s circles
Restorative yoga
Heart-opening sequences
Even one drop on a cotton pad during savasana can create a deeply nurturing experience.
3. Vetiver – For Sleep & Deep Grounding
If sleep is disrupted due to hormonal shifts, Vetiver is incredibly supportive.
It’s earthy and grassy in scent, so if you find it too earthy I recommend blending one drop with:
Geranium
Lavender
Vetiver is excellent in:
Yin yoga
Evening classes
Grounding meditations
It helps anchor scattered energy and calm an overstimulated nervous system.
4. Rosemary – For Brain Fog & Focus
Hormonal changes can affect clarity and concentration.
Rosemary is stimulating and sharpening — wonderful when you need mental clarity.
Use it for:
Morning classes
Workshops
Teacher trainings
Study sessions
It pairs well with pranayama or focused standing sequences.
5. Roman Chamomile – For Soothing Heat & Tension
Roman chamomile is deeply calming.
It helps release:
Emotional tension
Irritability
Internal “heat”
This oil supports parasympathetic activation and is ideal in:
Restorative yoga
Breathwork practices
Closing relaxation
6. Rosewood – For Energetic Boundaries
Rosewood is less commonly spoken about but beautiful for emotional protection.
For teachers holding space regularly, this oil can:
Support energetic boundaries
Preserve your own energy
Reduce emotional depletion
It’s a wonderful oil to use before teaching or during retreat facilitation.
Other Essential Oils for Hormonal & Emotional Support
Other oils I regularly use in women’s yoga classes include:
Clary Sage
Frankincense
Benzoin
Lemon
Tea Tree
Sandalwood
When thoughtfully integrated, aromatherapy can deepen your students’ sensory experience and support nervous system regulation within your yoga classes.
Choosing High-Quality Essential Oils
If you’re purchasing essential oils in the UK, I use oils from Base Formula, Natural Health Remedies and Neal's Yard Remedies (not affiliated).
Always prioritise organic and ethical sourcing where you can. In my experience you get a much nicer oil this way.
Integrating Essential Oils Into Your Yoga Teaching
Essential oils can:
Deepen savasana
Enhance themed workshops
Support women navigating hormonal shifts
Create a more embodied sensory experience
When used safely and intentionally, aromatherapy becomes a powerful extension of your teaching — supporting both emotional wellbeing and nervous system balance.
If you’d like to learn how to confidently and professionally integrate essential oils into your yoga classes, retreats or workshops, explore my essential oils training and CPD options.
Let’s grow happier, older and wiser — together.
Love and hugs as always,
Heather ✨