How I'm using Essential Oils Through The Corona Virus

I’m here in NYC, which they’re calling the epi-center of the US for the Covid -19 Virus. They now have more testing and we’re the highest populated. I’m not a doctor or a specialist and I take all precautions that I’m told to take such as staying in and keeping 6 ft from others, if we do have to go out. Also, moving my body with yoga & exercise, trying to get enough sleep (not easy at this time) & meditation (daily at least), eating well - lot’s of spinach & garlic and lastly, hydration. I am taking this very seriously and praying for our elders, our doctors and nurses and my family and friends. Since essential oils have been a part of my everyday life for the past 3 years, I feel like I have an extra toolbox for which to use against this virus. I wanted to share with you how I’m using essentail oils to help get my family through this virus.

Immune Boosting Foot Massage

Everyday, in the morning, noon and evening I am preventatively applying dōTERRA ON GUARD bend + OREGANO with a few drops of FRACTIONATED COCONUT OIL to the bottoms of my feet.. Oregano Oil is very potent. It supports the immune & respiratory system. “The properties of Oregano oil are: Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal, Antiparasitic, Antiseptic to the respiratory system, Antiviral, and Immune stimulant.” ~Modern Essentials book.. It can cause skin irritation because it’s very strong, that’s why it goes on the bottoms of the feet. If I should get sick, I will up the anti and begin ingesting oils, but this is what we do today. The ON GUARD blend is a combination of Wild Orange Peel, Clove Bud, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus Leaf, and Rosemary. These oils support immune and respiratory function.

Immune Boosting Foot Massage

Here is a list of Anti- Viral Oils:

You can blend as you like:

Cinnamon LEaf

Citronella

Clove Bud

Eucalyptus

Geranium

Melissa

Oregano

Tea Tree (Melaluca)

Thyme

Here’s an example of one anti -viral diffuser blends that I have diffusing in the entry way of my apt. The diffuser is aimed at the door.

Clove Bud - 5 drops

Cinnamon - 5 drops

Eucalyptus or Thyme -5 drops

Sleep

Understandably this isn’t easy at this time. Other than essential oils I also use the app called “Sanctuary” by Rod Stryker. He has several Yoga Nidra practices that I often fall asleep to. As my going to be routine, right before brushing teeth and washing up, I set up the diffuser and get it started so that aromatics begin to fill the room. My blend is simple- SERENITY, 2 drops and VETIVER, 2 drops. You can also apply VETIVER with coconut oil to the bottom of the feet for extra sleepiness.

SERENITY BLEND has a calming aroma that creates a restful environment. It’s a combination of Lavender, Cedarwood, Ho Wood, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, Vetiver root, Vanilla Bean Absolute and Hawaiin Sandalwood.

VETIVER is a member of the grass family. Unlike other grasses, the root system of Vetiver grows down which provides solid stabilization. It has a calming and grounding aroma.

SLEEP FOR THE KIDS

My son doesn’t even hit the pillow without Juniper Berry in the diffuser. Juniper Berry is said to keep the nightmares away. I put 1 drop in his diffuser at night. I also add a drop of Serenity to his diffuser and he gets to bed pretty quickly.

Sleep Oil Blend : 2 drops Serenity, 2 drops Vetiver

NOW THAT I’M ALSO A SCHOOL TEACHER - Everyone Focus!

Many of us parents are now working full time jobs at home and also home schooling our children at the same time. I’ve come to the conclusion that sometimes work will get full attention and sometimes my son will but I can’t be half assed in either direction, because then no-one wins. And take a look at this math! Our kids can’t “carry the one”.

Our diffuser blend for focus and getting work done is :

Lemon -3 drops

Peppermint - 2 drops

Rosemary -1 drop

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that supports concentration. It helps to clear mental confusion and soothes feeling of tension. Rosemary is also great for hair and hair growthLemon keeps us clear and Peppermint keeps us up and invigorated.

Those are some tips for this week. I’ll come back again to let you know how it’s going and what we might add.

Stay Well.

XO,

Heather

Essential Oils, My Why

I was first introduced to essential oils in my yoga teaching mentorship.  The studio owner asked that if we had a class of 15 or less that we sweep the occipital lobe of each student with an essential oil in savasana. The students and I found it to be very soothing and you can see the student drop deeper into relaxation after the assist.

Soon after, while reading Elena Brower's newsletter Teach.Yoga I read and listened to a link that she posted about her use of essential oils.  I was intrigued so I started sniffing around (pun intended) to find out more about oils.  Coincidently, it was also allergy season and  I am allergic to spring.   It starts with sinus congestion that leads to a post nasal drip that leads to airway constriction and bronchial inflammation which leads to the feeling that someone is standing on my chest which is an asthmatic response. I then turn to steroid inhalers.  I don't like these at all as there are a ton of uncomfortable side effects.  So while reading about oils I came across a suggestion to use lemon, lavender and peppermint and that would take away my symptoms.  Wait! Lemon, Lavender and Peppermint were going to replace my inhalers??? Yeh, right!!  It was worth a try.   After a few days and many applications,  I was able to ween off my inhalers and spend the rest of the season with lemon, lavender and peppermint.   The healing was miraculous to me.  I should emphasize that this worked for ME.  Everyone is different but I would recommend trying it to anyone.  

Needless to say, I was hooked.  I was breathing, smelled great, refreshed and wanted to learn more.  So, I joined Elena's team and became a dōTERRA wellness advocate.  I have learned SO MUCH and I use essential oils multiple times a day.  Every morning with jojoba oil on my face with frankinscense for bright shiny skin. YlangYlang with my deodorant for it's glorious scent and not that I have it but it helps support high blood pressure.  I drop lemon in my sink for a burst of freshness in the kitchen.  In the evening I use lavender diluted with coconut oil to help my little boy calm down and get to bed.  Having a 4 year old means that there are 12 other four year olds in school with him everyday with lots of germs.  I diffuse ON GUARD, an immunity blend and knock wood, we've not been sick yet.  My husband loves Maleluca (tea tree) and we made him an aftershave of Witch Hazel, Maleluca and Peppermint.  He loves it.  My husband is a hockey player and me, a yogi, we can't live without DEEP BLUE for our muscles.  It's like an all natural ben gay.  

Essential oils are used for emotional support, physical support and mental support, just like yoga. When I found yoga 22 years ago I always knew I wanted everyone to understand its magic and one day I'd be one to teach it.  Now with essential oils, I'm not going to wait 22 years to spread the word.  NOW is a perfect time.  

Our super supportive team is growing as we share and learn about oils together.  Browse the oils here http://mydoterra.com/heatherbernstein

Not "if", But "please" use your Block

When did tight hamstrings become a crime?  I recently caught myself cueing, "if you need a block then frame your front foot with your block".  I've heard this in many, many yoga classes.  As it was coming out of my mouth, I felt a "scratch the record" screech inside.  I would've rather said "please" use your blocks.  Blocks are available to us in class for a great reason.  They help us  to achieve space in our body so that we can send medicinal breath throughout.  What does that mean?  It means,  if you're limbs are short (or tall), if your muscles aren't ready, if your hips are not open and your struggling in a pose, then you will be holding your breath.   If we are holding our breath then we will never create the space in our body to breathe which encourages more flexibility.    To teach the body how to become more flexible physically means to have small incremental changes until we reach the point that we can be in a pose and breathe in a pose and release the block. Then as your PRACTICE (that's why we call it that) evolves, we slowly but surely  will find more room to move and to fill the spaces of the body with breath.  

So, PLEASE, use the block.  ENJOY the block. And don't shame your hamstrings. 

Namaste :)