Known as aromatherapy, the art of burning incense sticks or diffusing essential oils dates back thousands of years. Used in ritualistic practices and religious traditions, today, it’s not uncommon to find your Pilates teacher adding a few drops of oils before class or lighting an incense as you practice savasana.
Women’s Health spoke to Bernadette Sukkar, founder of Bondi Pilates, meditation and breathwork Studio Body By Berner on the ritualistic experience of burning incense, and the energy it can bring to your mind and space. Plus, we use our nose to round up our favourite incense sticks and essentials oil to use during your at-home meditation.
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Essential oils vs incense sticks
While both focus on smells, they have one fundamental difference. Incense sticks must be ignited and gently burned to release their aromas, while essential oils are commonly dropped into a diffuser to disperse the smell into the air. Essential oils generally have a more subtle smell and don’t involve any fire or smoke
What does burning incense do from a holistic point of view?
For Bernie, burning incense is a ritual that grounds and centers her. “I burn it prior to teaching to create a calming environment that helps me focus, set my intentions, and connect,” she shares.
“Someone might choose to burn incense in settings like meditation spaces, fitness studios, or during personal rituals to enhance relaxation, focus, and mindfulness. It can also be used in homes to create a peaceful atmosphere, or while engaging in self-care routines to promote emotional well-being and mental clarity.”
Can you describe the energy burning incense can bring to a space?
“Burning incense can infuse a space with a calming, grounding energy, creating a peaceful atmosphere that promotes relaxation and focus,” Bernie says.
She goes on to share that the aromas of an incense can uplift the mood, clear stagnant energy, and encourage a sense of clarity and balance. All things ideal for movement and meditation.
Is it okay to burn incense during a workout?
“Absolutely!”
Burning incense before a workout can be a great way to signal to your sensory system that you’re about to engage in physical activity. “The calming or energising scents can help set the tone, creating a focused and positive atmosphere for your workout, and enhancing your overall mind-body connection during the session,” she adds.
Of course, no one wants to be huffing and puffing away in a smoke-filled studio, so bear duration in mind if you’re setting the scene.
What scents are good for meditation?
Choose calming scents to help your mind focus and relax. Popular scents include sandalwood, lavender, frankincense, ylang-ylang, patchouli and chamomile. Scents have a way of triggering emotions, bringing back old memories and promoting relaxation. Burning an incense stick or smelling essential oils can help affect your mood and create a calming atmosphere.
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The best incense sticks
The Pilates powerhouse has teamed up with Heartwood to create a new bespoke incense, perfect for your workout. The Indian sandalwood is sustainably farmed in north Australia and bound by bark from the Namu tree. The aroma is woody, calming and slightly sweet.
This Japanese fragrance brand has created the most luxurious bamboo stick that has been individually hand-dipped. Fig offers a refreshing and light scent thanks to the blend of fig leaf and blackcurrant
Scented with hydrangea tea and calming sandalwood, these incense from the people that make your favourite tableware is like sunshine in a box. Translating to “the sun” in French, it has a lovely bright scent reminiscent of morning sun.
A master of scents, Aesop’s sticks ooze instant luxury and calm. The spices of cinnamon and clove combine with Japanese hinoki to create a deep and rich wood-like smell. It even comes with a little pumice holder so you can start burning as soon as you open the box.
Notes of sweet orange and cedar wood are prominent in this Aussie-made incense. The sticks are hand-dipped in Victoria to create a lovely long-lasting smell to help you unwind after a long day.
The best essential oils
Created in collaboration with TV series The White Lotus, Dusk have released a range of essential oils to give you those holiday vibes from the comfort of your own home. Scents of jasmine, ylang-ylang and lemongrass will transport you to that dreamy spa you had on your last getaway.
This classic lavender aroma is the perfect scent to slowly drift you into a state of calm and relaxation. Dispense a few drops in your diffuser of choice at the start or end of your meditation for pure body and mind bliss.
As the name suggests, we love this one as a way to really set the mood for your workout. The blend of sweet and bitter orange, patchouli and sandalwood combine to create a gorgeous scent to ease the mind and calm the body.
The flowers, leaves and stems of the Manuka tree are specially harvested to create this little bottle of goodness. Used by the Maori people of New Zealand for thousands of years, dispense a few drops for instant relaxation or you can incorporate into your skincare for a smoother complexion as an added bonus.
The combination of bergamot, mandarin, basil, lemongrass and nutmeg is set to rejuvenate and inspire a tired mind. Fill the room with good vibes and good energy to help re-energise your body and soul during your next workout.
What should you not do when burning incense?
Never leaving an incense stick burning unattended. At the end of the day, you’re dealing with fire and embers. So like how you wouldn’t leave a pot on the stove to bubble away while you’re in another room, keep an eye on your incense as it burns. Snuff it out as soon as you leave the area and be sure to watch for little hands and pets, too.
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