The 2016-17 competitive skating season has come to its end with the completion of the World Figure Skating Championships in Finland. As always, I was dazzled by numerous incredible performances! These world-class athletes go to great lengths preparing for the biggest competition of the year. Every choice they make, from the foods they eat during the day to the amount of sleep they get at night is carefully evaluated in order maintain the healthiest possible mind and body, allowing them to push and develop themselves and rise to the occasion at each competition throughout the year.
For the current issue of Figure Skater Fitness Magazine I had the pleasure of interviewing Finnish figure skating champion, Kiira Korpi. My favourite thing about Kiira is that she maintains a holistic perspective on performance. When a skater has a strong self-concept, body-awareness, mental fitness and a great support system that’s when they become an incredible athlete no matter what level they are competing.
*Find my interview with Kiira Korpi in the Spring 2017 issue of Figure Skater Fitness Magazine here!
My latest obsession in the holistic health and wellness world is essential oils. For over 5,000 years, many different cultures have used these healing plant oils for a variety of health conditions. They are often used for relaxation, beauty care, home cleaning and most often used as natural medicine. These plant oils are a completely natural, safe, and effective instrument for immune support, performance boosts, and achy muscles, making them a remarkable tool for all athletes.
Here are a few of my favourite essential oils to enhance athletic performance!
Peppermint:
Rub one drop of peppermint on your chest pre-workout to open your airways.
Give yourself an energy boost by rubbing a drop of peppermint between your hands and cupping them over you nose and mouth to inhale. For further enhancement, press your thumb onto the roof of your mouth with a dab of peppermint oil.
Sooth tired muscles by rubbing peppermint over your shoulders and back; feel the cooling sensation!
Peppermint is also a great digestive aid, just rub one drop clockwise over your abdomen.
Lemon:
Drink a glass of water with a drop of lemon essential oil for a great morning and/or post-workout detox.
Inhale lemon oil to uplift your mood and help deal with anxiety or stress.
Lemon is also great in helping to fight cold and flu symptoms.
Lavender:
Add a drop of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and insert inside your pillowcase to help you fall asleep at night.
Rub a drop of lavender over your abdomen to sooth nervous feelings before an event or competition.
Lavender is also a great for healing cuts and scrapes, and helps prevent scarring (looking at you fellow pairs skaters—I know how easy it is to get a blade scuff to the skin when working so closely with a partner!)
There are so many more essential oils and oil blends that can support and enhance athletic performance as well as your overall health and wellbeing. To learn more about the benefits and uses of essential oils, send me a message at kristen@skatetosoar.com for a free 1 hour goals + performance consultation.
You can also purchase essential oils from me here: http://mydoterra.com/kristenpiche
Have you tried essential oils? Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences below!