Chances are you are going to make a New Year’s resolution that involves things such as hitting the gym, losing some weight and eating more healthy food. It’s also likely that you’ve been down this road before, with varying degrees of success. Which is okay, you’re definitely not alone! Witness the post-New Year’s crush at your local fitness center or workout studio — filled with newbies who are full of ambitious goals but short on stamina, technique and stick-to-itiveness. In a few short weeks, half of them are likely to fail at the goals they’ve set and will be gone. Don’t let yourself be one of them.
The problem isn’t a lack of motivation or zeal for self-improvement — otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people waiting in line for the workout equipment or jostling one another for a spot on the exercise floor to begin with. The problem is a lack of the patience and fortitude necessary to get through the initial crowded days and become a long-term “survivor.” Then you begin to see results. It’s called a resolution and you need to be resolute through the difficult days. You do this by fostering patience, not ambition.
If you want a little aromatherapy help to inspire a path to patience, choose balancing essential oils that aren’t overly invigorating or stimulating but also aren’t overly relaxing and calming. These oils include: geranium, lavandin, clary sage, sweet marjoram, balsam fir needle and sweet orange. Sometimes all it takes is a simple whiff from the bottle, but these recipes are even more helpful.
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Patience & Resolve Workout Room & Body Spray
Ingredients:
4 ounces water
8 drops lavandin oil
8 drops balsam fir needle oil
8 drops sweet orange oil
Directions: Place water and oils in a spray mister bottle and shake vigorously. Use as a balancing room freshener or personal peace-inspiring body mist.
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Patience & Fortitude After-Workout Body Oil
Ingredients:
3 drops sweet marjoram oil
3 drops balsam fir needle oil
3 drops sweet orange oil
1/4 cup sweet almond or apricot kernel oil
Directions: Blend oils and apply as a soothing massage oil after a workout — or as a moisture-preserving application on damp skin after your post-workout shower.
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Aura Cacia is a Silver sponsor for the Yoga Journal Yoga Conference in San Francisco January 18th- 20th. Charlynn Avery, Aura Cacia aromatherapist and educator, will be teaching a FREE class, Connecting Mind-Body-Spirit with Essential Oils, on Sunday from 2:00 - 3:00. For more information visit 
