Lighting a scented candle can easily become part of your yoga practice or meditation ritual; a physical act to set the stage for reflection and fill the room with soothing notes.
Meditation is a concept originating from the prehistoric period. It refers to any form of spiritual practice: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Taoism and other practices. Meditation is a special process that will make you achieve spiritual growth and “enlightenment”. The essence of meditation is the acquisition of inner freedom, which is impossible without the “silence of the mind”. What does it mean? - the absence of obsessive thoughts, peace of mind and focus on the present moment.
Nowadays, meditation can be practiced without any religious or spiritual overtones. In the rhythm of modern life, meditation allows you to relax both physically and spiritually, to relieve the load of stress. We have all been in a meditative state, for example, when we looked at the flames of a fire or clouds floating across the sky, time flew by so imperceptibly. However, conscious meditation is a skill that is developed by practice. In order to enhance the effect of meditation and help achieve the desired state, various methods and attributes are used that improve concentration, relieve nervous tension, improve blood circulation in the brain, and so on. The most common attributes of meditation include:
Today we are going to talk about the use of scented candles in meditation. Scented candles are a perfect way to transform any space into the ideal place for a calming yoga session or meditation practice. Using candles for yoga and meditation at home or within a studio can support you in focusing your mind, anchoring your practice and moving into a mentally and physically calming space. The right combination of scents can take weight from our shoulders, evoke creativity and help with emotional healing.
Traditional scents used in yoga and meditation include sandalwood and frankincense, though there are now of course many more to explore for your yoga practice. Scents are an essential part of yoga practice, as a smell can promote strong emotional reactions, such as relaxation.
Whilst incense is traditionally used in yoga, as it’s believed to purify the air and soothe the mind, body and spirit – some can find it a little overpowering. Candles for yoga and meditation are a perfect alternative for creating a soothing space.
Many studios consciously choose candles for yoga to create a peaceful atmosphere for meditation and yoga classes.
The ambiance and mood can be set with just a few candles, but it comes down to knowing which scents will help to support different types of yoga and meditation. Scents like vetiver and sweet marjoram have woody and earthy qualities, perfect for creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Fragrances like rosemary and lemon can energize and focus you during your yoga practice. There are other scents that are well known for being stress-relieving, relaxing, and unwinding, such as lavender, sage, and sandalwood. Using candles for meditation can help to transport your mind to a soothed space, signaling to your mind that now is the time to sit, to be still.
Historically, candles have been a significant and traditional element of rituals and spiritual practices. Whether placed at an altar, lit at shrines and statues, or the flames to honor the memory of loved ones, candles have long been richly symbolic.
Take your time to set the intention as you light your candle. Look out for candles with jasmine which promotes relaxation, or sage which has been a long-used scent in meditation practices.
Start your practice by dimming any lights, whether closing curtains or turning off artificial lights so you can focus on the light of the candles.
Set up your candle or candles across the room so you create a soothing ambiance of flickering light, or set one candle in front of you to act as a focal point during your meditation.
Next, make sure you’re in a comfortable position and wearing loose, soft clothing. Pick a candle to gaze at, as a starting point to settle your thoughts. Let the flickering candle occupy your mind.
From here, you can shift your meditation into one with your eyes closed or choose to focus on something else other than the candle’s flame.
