the most kickinist kapha mat spray ever!

the level of granola i've evolved into is at times too crunchy for even me. that being said, i made the most kickinist kapha mat spray ever tonight!


materials/ingredients

medium to large size empty spray bottle
1 cup water
1/4 cup rose petal witch hazel
30 drops of tea tree oil
15 drops rose oil
15 drops peppermint oil
15 drops rosemary oil

i shudder at my seamless use of ayurvedic terminology, but there is something phenomenal to the orchestra that is know-thyself preventative medicine and holistic treatment. and i need it. all of it. to propel myself forward (at times).

making your own yoga mat spray is not a tall order. you'll need: a spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle; we're aiming for mist, purified or distilled water (love your equipment), and tea tree oil - that's your base. stop right here and your mat is clean (but you should keep reading, it gets way better).

pure tea tree oil is expensive, but you'll be using this same bottle to make many personal aromatherapy mat sprays to come. it's as great a treatment as benzoyl peroxide for zits with way less irritation. and it's your household's ultimate antiseptic, essential oil's version of the miracle aloe plant. even without a bottle of the most kickinist kapha mat spray, it's an added value to your medicine cabinet - so buy some.

aromatherapily speaking, peppermint, rose and rosemary are my rage! scents. i do ashtanga and i'm more at a point in my practice where i need energy when i approach the top of my mat rather than a lavenderific chamomilian soothe. i gotta get through 90 minutes of chataranga dandasanas, it's six a.m., and frankly, i'd rather be sleeping (until i'm done and feel all the benefits, of course). but i digress, how the blend helps...

peppermint is exhilarating. it improves thinking, uplifts and warms you with coolness. what is that? go smell some peppermint, i can't explain it any other way.

le scent du rose - and remember, you're doubled up with the rose witch hazel - is anti-melancholic, uplifting, confidence improving, warmly warm (not to be confused with the coolly warm of peppermint :-) and in most circles, thought to be an aphrodisiac (or ayurvedically speaking, thought to "increase desire").

we're at move, go, get it! already, and then there's the rosemary. it's an unusual one, no? subtle. but rosemary shares some of peppermints properties: inspiring, stimulating, a solid warm warm, definitely an upper, clears thinking and quickens the senses. you are so good to go, earthy girl!

but different strokes for different doshas, right? other olfactory options i love and the rationale behind them are as follows:

peppermint & rosemary (sin rose) - use an unscented witch hazel if you're going hardcore - spray on to get focused!

clary sage, lavender & chamomile - great for evening practice or the more unfortunate (and hopefully rare) exasperated insomnia induced practice. it'll help you sleep, boo. take savasana to a whole new level.

peppermint, rose & orange - dory's k.i.m. (keep it moving) blend - an intersection between "just keep swimming, swimming, swimming," and "ain't got no time for shucking and jiving." (backpackers? anyone?)

orange, rose & lavender - this is extremely decadent and delicious so you should do it for yourself. rich relaxation.