Asthma Awareness in Yoga Spaces: The Impact of Scents

The Picture-Perfect Yoga Space

In our peaceful yoga spaces, we always aim to create an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation. Many people enjoy incorporating things like essential oils, incense, and scented candles to enhance their experience. However, it’s crucial to consider everyone’s health, especially those with Asthma or respiratory issues. Here’s why:

Essential Oils: While individuals and natural health companies claim that essential oils may help with a variety of health conditions, there is little evidence to support most of these claims. Essential oils are highly concentrated and emit strong odors due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including terpenes, toluene, and benzene, when diffused in the air. These compounds can irritate the respiratory tract and may trigger Asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Candles: Candles, particularly scented ones, especially those made from paraffin wax, release harmful chemicals when burned, including toluene and benzene. These chemicals have been linked to Asthma and lung cancer. Lighting (scented) candles in an unventilated space can lead to respiratory irritation, skin issues, and the production of unsightly soot.
Incense: Incense, while often used to create a calming ambiance, can produce smoke containing irritating particles. Inhaling incense smoke may exacerbate Asthma symptoms and lead to discomfort in individuals with respiratory conditions. The tiny particles released when incense is burned can be particularly problematic.

Creating a Safer, Inclusive Yoga Environment for Everyone

To ensure a safer and more inclusive yoga space, consider the following tips:

Choose Unscented or Natural Alternatives: If you want to create ambiance with lighting, consider using a gentle, warm light instead. If you must use candles, go for unscented ones or candles made from natural materials like soy or beeswax. Avoid using candles, incense, essential oils, or air fresheners with synthetic fragrances at all times. Unscented or naturally scented options are less likely to trigger Asthma or allergies symptoms.
Open a Window: Properly ventilate your yoga space by opening windows or using air purifiers to reduce indoor air pollution and improve air quality. Adequate ventilation helps minimize the concentration of harmful particles. If you used scents in a previous class, be sure there’s enough time before your next class to let it air out.
Allergy and Asthma Awareness: Be mindful of the needs and sensitivities of your yoga students or Yoga Therapy clients. Always get to know your students and clients first. Ask if anyone has allergies or Asthma and adjust the use of scents accordingly.

In any case, creating an entirely fragrance-free space may be the best choice to accommodate everyone.

While we love the ambiance that scents bring to our yoga practice, being aware of their potential health risks is crucial. By choosing safer options and accommodating everyone’s needs, we can ensure our yoga spaces remain welcoming and beneficial for all. Remember, the well-being of our students and clients is our top priority.

Join our Short Course on “Yoga Therapy for Dysfunctional Breathing” to learn how to adapt your sessions to the needs of individuals experiencing Asthma.