What Happens When You Study Aromatherapy

What Happens When You Study Aromatherapy

by | Jun 6, 2019 | Yarden Notes

Even back in the day, I could see that she was pointing to something bigger.

It was 2005, and I was a few months into being a Licensed Massage Therapist. I had the chance to take my mom’s class as a professional. She was teaching her Basic Aromatherapy weekend workshop and I sat in as a student.

Her teaching style was lively, dynamic, and focused on what makes sense in the larger picture.

At the end of the weekend, each student made their own personal blend, or their “Individual Prescription.” Before blending oils and making these creations, we each talked about what was going on with us and what we wanted to shift mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Naturally, either because that’s the nature of these things or that’s the nature of my mom (or both), the conversations became personal, heart-opening, and deeply healing.

It wasn’t the oils. Of course, the oils helped, but I could see that it was so much more than that.

Aromatherapy allows us to look deep within ourselves and shows us the next steps in our growth.


This month in the Atlantic Aromatic Library, Mom brought this idea up in our Healing Guide. We were discussing the circulatory system, and we couldn’t help but include a lesson on healing the heart.

It’s hard for us at the Atlantic Institute to see our educational journeys as different and distinct from our personal journeys. They are increasingly one and the same—both informing the other in this beautiful dance of growth.

How has your educational journey affected you personally? Where do you see these two elements of your life intermingling?

Let us know in the comments. We love hearing about how aromatherapy is helping you.

Another Turn of the Year

Another Turn of the Year

by | Oct 31, 2018 | History, News

Many are celebrating Halloween this week, but we like to remember the more ancient meanings of this holiday. At the Atlantic Institute, we honor those who came before us with knowledge of the cycles of the year.

November 1 marks the halfway point between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It is when we descend into the darkest time of the year. Plants start to slow their growth and shed their leaves, preparing their seeds to lie fallow for the winter. What that means is that it is time for quiet reflection and going inward. One may start to look back on the activities of the past year and decide how to best move forward once the light starts to return in a few months.

In this modern world, we don’t necessarily have to follow these patterns like our ancestors. But for most of us, the holiday season keeps us so busy that we have to hold off on many of our projects.

Just like you, we are taking the next few months to make plans for the springtime. We’re thrilled to see the growth of our staff-family, helping to create even better ways to teach you the intuitive science of healing with essential oils.

As Sylla moves closer to retirement and Nyssa continues to build this incredible program her mother created, we are looking for serious students that may one day like to become aromatherapy educators, too.

Read about what it takes to teach aromatherapy and why we need more of you!

We encourage you to reflect on what your heart needs to blossom … Remember that the greatest gift you can give the world is your own self-healing. Let us know how we can help.

How to Be An Aromatherapy Educator

How to Be An Aromatherapy Educator

by | Oct 28, 2018 | Business, Sylla Says

why dilute essential oils

I’ve been an aromatherapy educator since the early 1970s. Since then, the field has undergone many changes. With the introduction of the Internet and multi-level-marketing companies, I’ve seen both good and bad information circulate rapidly.

There’s a lot of potential for misunderstanding when it comes to the power of natural essential oils. This makes quality aromatherapy education more important than ever.

If you’re interested in teaching aromatherapy, here are some tips from a vintage educator.

5 Tips for Becoming an Aromatherapy Educator

1. Know your subject. Study with as many teachers as you can. Absorb different styles, viewpoints, and experiences. Always examine information with a critical eye. Consider the sources and never hesitate to do your own research. As an aromatherapy educator, I work to provide useful, factual, and cited information. But I never mind if a student has questions or does research on their own. In fact, knowing which questions to ask during a live class can provide you with a better education.

2. Apprentice with established institutes. Instead of trying to start from scratch, look for apprenticeships or positions with established teachers. For instance, we sometimes calls on our own students to teach in their areas to increase our educational reach. As these student-teachers improve, they feel more comfortable teaching larger classes and mentoring home-study students. Begin as an apprentice or teaching assistant and work your way up. This can be a great way to establish yourself as an aromatherapy educator.

3. Get comfortable with teaching. Students can often teach you just as much as other educators. Knowing the subject is one thing, but thinking on your feet when students ask unexpected questions is another. Being comfortable in front of a group of people is a skill that needs honing. Teaching can help you discover your own unique educational style.

4. Know how to relax. Being an educator, especially in an unregulated and relatively new field, can be as stressful as it is rewarding. I rely on morning walks, meditation, gardening, or being in nature to relax, center, and energize me. I keep my office and therapy rooms scented with my standby Rosemary and Geranium. I’ve used this aromatherapy blend for 30 years, and it still feels like home to me. Know how to establish a relaxing space and find activities that will help relieve the pressure. Trust me—you’ll need these skills!

5: And remember: teaching is learning. Have a wonderful journey, and enjoy it!

Enhance Your Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils

Enhance Your Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils

by | Feb 4, 2018 | Yarden Notes

Just a few days ago, Carolina Jasmine flowers appeared in my yarden. They are always the first to remind me that spring is coming.

Enhance Your Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils

(And just for the record, “yarden” is not a typo. Since my yard is really mostly a garden, that’s what I like to call it.)

Not only are these flowers a reminder to get on my springtime honey medicine-making, but they’re also a signal that it’s time to let go of the old stuff left over from winter. I mean metaphorical “old stuff,” like emotions that no longer serve us, but also some literal stuff, too. I’ve cleaned out so much that I’ve been turning to essential oils to deal with all the dust! Adding essential oils to my spring cleaning helps deepen my connection to the earth as well as my own personal growth.

For me, this has included clearing out and decluttering my office to make room for new projects coming up. Nyssa and I recently sat down in the newly cleaned office to share more about what inspires us this time of year.

Learn how to enhance your spring cleaning with essential oils.

In this video, find out:

  • The symbolic meaning of this time of year, called Imbolc
  • My current sinus and allergy blend (and how I use it to make aromatic honey!)
  • Our favorite aromatics to stay grounded, while also preparing to grow

 

It’s time to bloom from the ground up…we’re celebrating Imbolc at the Atlantic Institute LIVE from the Inner Sanctum. #imbolc #innersanctum #carolinajasmine #timetobloom #syllinyss

Posted by Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy on Friday, February 2, 2018

 

We did this spur of the moment on Facebook Live and had the best time! Thank you to all those who tuned in. Be sure to follow us, so you can catch us the next time we decide to hit Go Live.

After watching this video, let us know:

  • Did you plant seeds last year that are just starting to stir?
  • What can you clean up or clean out to get ready for new growth?
  • What essential oils are you using to enhance your spring cleaning?

Leave us a comment here, or join the conversation on our Facebook page to see what our other viewers had to share.

Of course, anytime is a great time to take a look at your life, learn from where you’ve been, and gather the right tools to move forward. Thank you for letting us be a part of your next transformation!

Aromatically Yours,

Sylla