As aromatherapy gains popularity among complementary medicine, western medical and laypeople alike, more and more bodywork professionals now integrate essential oils into their practice and their lives.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the lifeblood and essence of the plant which are extracted from leaves, flowers, roots, buds, twigs, rhizomes, heartwood, bark, resin, seeds and fruits. They are chemically similar in structure to human blood. The most common methods of extraction are water and steam distillation, and mechanical processing as is done with citrus rinds.
Essential oils are exponentially more concentrated than their herbal counterparts. For example, the potency in one drop of peppermint oil is equal to approximately 26 cups of peppermint tea.
Why are essential oils important?
Essential oils are crucial to the health, function and protection of plants and affect our bodies in much the same fashion. Because of these similarities in human and plant biochemical structures, essential oils are very efficient delivery agents. To put it simply, essential oils are biologically activating and can transmit messages on the cellular level. They have the capability to initialize the transmission of important information to brain and body functions, while connecting us to our feelings and psyche through direct access to the emotional center of our brain.
Many years ago, our friend Julie who was a massage therapist at the time was looking at our polarity therapy school catalog and saw the class title ‘Spinal Balancing’ and emphatically told us we HAD to offer the Raindrop Technique class to our students.
We were intrigued and said yes. Little did I know this technique would set my whole career in the healing arts down a new path into the world of aromatherapy.
The Raindrop Technique is a series of therapeutic grade essential oils, such as oregano, thyme, basil, cypress, wintergreen, marjoram, peppermint and some specialty blends that are dropped about 6-8 inched from the bottle, like raindrops along the spine and massaged in a very particular way on to the bottoms of the feet.
This method utilizes a sequence of essential oils that are immune- enhancing that support the body’s natural defenses, as well as the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and other body systems.
This highly effective detoxifying treatment, and one must prepare to receive this session by drinking at least 16 ounces of water, before the session and continue drinking more water after the session.
Why these particular essential oils?
The set of essential oils used in this technique, even when diluted with thick fatty vegetable oils, are life giving by nature.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare): While the oil has an intriguing aromatic profile, Oregano oil benefits also include creating a relaxing experience.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris: May be beneficial for overcoming fatigue and exhaustion.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Basil essential oil has a fresh, herbaceous aroma that can be calming and refreshing.
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens): Cypress has a fresh, herbaceous aroma that can promote a sense of security and grounding.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens): Wintergreen’s refreshing minty aroma is stimulating and invigorating.
Majoram (Origanum majorana): is an aromatic herb known for its aroma therapeutic and culinary uses. Its botanical name means “joy of the mountain” in Greek, and was actually first used to make wreaths for use as wedding flowers.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Fresh, nostalgic, and instantly recognizable, Peppermint essential oil’s scent invigorates the mind and senses, while inspiring a sense of peace. Used topically, Peppermint oil creates a cool, tingling sensation on the skin.
Valor®: essential oil blend is a woodsy, positive scent comes from a blend of Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, and Frankincense.
After each particular oil is dropped along the spine they are massaged into the skin into a very particular fashion. The bodywork techniques of this session are not like any others I had experienced or had been taught. These techniques originate from Tibetan medicine and Native American practices. This is truly an eclectic integration of modalities.
That’s probably why I fell with Raindrop. Like Dr. Stone integrated the healing arts that he studied, Gary Young, the originator of the Raindrop Technique did the same when he created the Raindrop Technique.
Once all of the oils have been applied to the feet and the spine, then a warm moist towel is places on the receiver’s spine for about 10 minutes, or the receiver can sit up and turn over and lay on top of a warm moist towel. From there the client can receive cranial sacral techniques or balancing holds to bring the session to completion.
My clients who specifically come for Raindrop sessions are usually looking to support a health ‘project ‘that they are ready to release but mostly they come for the Raindrop session to rejuvenate and build themselves physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The essential oils that I use bring my clients to a deeper place within. It’s kind of like giving my clients a ‘truth serum’ for their entire being, and they can have a purer experience of themselves in this session.
When I teach the Raindrop class, I will have the students measure their heights before and after the session, and inevitably their height increases anywhere from a ¼ inch to even one and ½ inches!
There are many opinions as to why that happens, too many to hypothesize for this article.
If you are looking for a new modality to add to your practice and open to the use of therapeutic grade essential oils, check out Gary Young’s Raindrop Technique. I have personally experienced incredible results for my own health, and facilitated these experiences for hundreds of others!
Instructor Tracy Griffiths, Board Certified Polarity Therapist, Global TRE® practitioner and yoga instructor mentors people all over the world to have healthier and more dynamically fulfilling lives by utilizing essential oils in tandem with yoga, energetic bodywork and TRE, (Trauma Release Exercise). In 2008 Tracy created Aroma Yoga®, a multi-faceted program designed for yoga students, yoga teachers, healthcare professionals and anyone who wishes to use and share essential oils with integrity and safety in mind.
Tracy is the co-owner and co-director of IPSB at Life Energy Institute in Southern California and is also the principal essential oil therapy instructor for the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program™, an organization created by Donna Karan, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, that brings yoga, Reiki and Young Living Essential Oils to hospital patients and their care partners.
Her mission is to transform the healthcare industry with essential oils, while helping others become empowered to having true wellness naturally. For over 18 years she has been leading workshops, certified trainings and retreats all over the world, feeding her passion for travel and exploration.
www.tracyg.vibrantscents.com and www.aromayogaguide.com