Essential oils for supple, toned muscles:

Black pepper, Juniper, Ginger, Thyme, Rosemary, Peppermint, Lavender, Grapefruit, Cypress, Orange, Basil, Lime, Pettigraine, Birch

Massage Oils for Over-exercised Muscles

* Eucalyptus 5 drops
* Peppermint 5 drops
* Ginger 5 drops
* Diluted in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For all dancers, and most sports people, it is the feet that take the pounding, and caring for them is of paramount importance. Feet that are well cared for can withstand the pressure placed on the twenty-six bones in each foot as well as avoiding the very real pain of blisters, corns and bunions.

Blisters can become infected, especially those on the toes, and they need to be seen to immediately. Lavender may sting, but 1 drop on an open blister will stop it from becoming infected. Corns develop over a period of time and become painful. Tagetes is the oil to use on these – massage 1 drop on the affected toe when the corn hurts. Dancers who use tagetes as a preventative are less likely to develop corns.

Massage the feet as often as you can to keep them supple and flexible and prevent injury.

Dancers have different needs from those of athletes and their feet take more punishment:

classical ballet dancers have to cram fragile toes into blocked ballet shoes, and modem dancers are expected to be agile on heels so high that most of us could only just walk on them. Here then are two formulas designed for specific foot needs: they are synergistic blends so make up a bottle of essential oil using these proportions:

Foot Oil

* Tagetes 5 drops
* Rosemary 3 drops
* Benzoin 4 drops
* Geranium 3 drops
* 5 drops – 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (for each foot)

Synergistic blend for Dancers and Athletes

* Lavender 5 drops
* Thyme 3 drops
* Rosemary 4 drops
* 5 drops drops 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (for each foot)

Essential Oils for Increased Physical Performance:

Grapefruit, Black pepper, Thyme, Ginger, Basil Pimento, Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint

Use the above oils on their own or in combination, to a total of 2 drops only in baths and 10 drops to 30ml base oil for a massage oil. The smaller quantities have their beneficial effect over a period of time. and as these measures are likely to be used over a long period the small doses are better.