Yoga Instructor’s Essential Oils for Yoga & More

By Caryn Gehlmann

I’m thrilled to introduce you to Julie Freed. She is a local yoga instructor with a wealth of knowledge and experience in health and wellness. Her keen body/mind awareness has contributed to her love of aromatherapy as well. I’m excited to ask her about how she uses essential oils for yoga and in her personal life!

I see Julie at least once a month in our store. And I frequently meet her yoga students who tell me how Julie has introduced them to essential oils. She brings a feeling of welcoming and kindness to every interaction. I hope you enjoy our interview below.

Tell us a little about your background.

I’ve explored movement and health my entire life. My background includes over 30 years in the healthcare field. I used to own a health food store and I’m a certified nutritionist and classical homeopath. I have many years of training in tai chi, dance, ballet, and gymnastics.

I’m currently a yoga instructor at the Rasa Center where I teach Vinyasa Flow and Gentle classes. In addition to teaching at Rasa, I facilitate women’s circles and individual sessions in dream exploration and family constellations. I’m also a certified Death Doula and coach people to live fully while cultivating peace in their living and dying. My website is www.juliebfreed.com.

When and how were you initially introduced to essential oils?

I honestly can’t remember since essential oils have been part of my life for so many years. I became fascinated by flower essences when I was studying homeopathic remedies. Essential oils made sense to me because they not only assist in our own well-being but also contribute to the health of the planet to use in place of harmful chemicals.

Which essential oils or blends have you found most helpful?

I use so many, so it’s hard to narrow it down — I have six diffusers in my home and a diffuser in my car! My favorites are Jasmine, Petitgrain, and e3’s Serenity, Peace, and Meditate Blends. I like using citrus oils, such as Lemon, Orange, and Grapefruit, for household cleaning. I also find these scents very uplifting. When I need to feel more grounded, I enjoy earthy scents like Pine, Cedar and e3’s Forest Blend. I’ve also found Adventurous to be a calming scent to diffuse in my office when meeting with a client.

What recommendations do you have using essential oils for yoga?

I would personally love to diffuse essential oils in my class, however, I’ve chosen not to since many people are sensitive to certain smells. I think it’s important as educators and practitioners to be sensitive to the needs of each individual. During savanna, I will put a drop of French Lavender on the palms of my students who enjoy that scent. Many students share that having the scent leave with them continues to promote that feeling of calm and ease.

How did you connect with Caryn and Essential 3?

A friend introduced me to Essential 3 a few years ago and I’ve been a loyal customer ever since. It’s important for me to support local businesses in general but especially those run by such wonderful women. You can tell Caryn and her team really love what they do and are dedicated to providing high-quality products. I also find their prices to be fantastic, in fact much more affordable than other popular essential oil companies.

Thank you, Julie, for sharing how you use essential oils for yoga, as part of a healthy lifestyle. We love to hear from our customers so please share your feedback with us. And if you haven’t done so already, please sign-up for our newsletter to become part of our e3 community and save 20% off your next order.