The oil-blending pro shares her expert nose — and advice — on mixing scents and self-care.
– KEYS SOULCARE
After over a decade of studying and practicing global healing modalities, Angela Shore, founder of Brooklyn-born, energy-lifting Jiva-Apoha oils mixes more than just natural essences and scent notes. She blends centuries worth of Indigenious and Ayurvedic knowledge into her personal and client work — as well as her own experiences and empathetic approach to creative expression
Shore’s intention — to promote love, clarity, self-trust, and more through her wildly popular oil-based line of scents — has proven itself even through these harrowing times with blends like Vitality No. 7 , which you can read on for the story behind that one. Not only has her line survived a global pandemic, but it has also empowered others to thrive in the process. We chatted with the expert healer, traveler, and blender to learn more about the soul behind the brand and the healing power of scents in our sacred rituals.
Can you tell us about your education, training, and journey that also connect to your work?
My passion is all that is Indigenous and of earth. Their wisdom and cultures have shown me — personally, in the past 20 years of training [through] various studies, teachers, and workshops, [including] herbology, aromatherapy, and working closely with a master tutelage medicine woman — that it’s a true path of healing.
It’s a journey that also led me into Ayurveda, [in which I’ve taken] an intense program with the Kerala Ayurveda Academy and received my wellness coach certification. [I then took] a sabbatical to travel [around] India and study at the School of Ayurveda and Panchakarma in Kerala.
How do scents connect us to who we are?
A scent can define you. Scents resonate with old memories — or better yet, make new ones. They have top, heart, and base notes that give a “release” of feeling when we experience them. Over time, working with therapeutic-grade essential [oils and essences] does wonders for rewiring the mind with the body. Aroma properties aid in healing and allowing our spirit to open.
You express your work as a journey of self-healing as much as a service to others. How has working with scents helped you heal and grow?
Every day is new while working with our body’s constitution. I treat it as an opportunity to learn something different about myself… and to stay open. It allows me to connect as the giver, but also [as] the receiver.
Your work revolves around themes of self-trust, love, and clarity. What are some of the key elements in your blends that feed these feelings?
Light. Purity. Benefits. Connection.
You’ve found ways to offer custom scent-blending — even online and during the pandemic! Can you tell us more about that?
It’s a private session in a bottle! It starts with a questionnaire, all by website-to-email. From there, I built the foundation to create something unique and personal. It gives the client and I a chance to engage with their likes, dislikes, health history, [as well as] overall day-to-day diet and feelings.
What are some of your favorite ways to fold scent into your everyday rituals?
I love to marry my scents — there are no rules. In the beginning, when I met my oil broker in India, he introduced the first twenty essentials by applying them on my scarf around my neck. I carried that power of aroma for two months. From that day, blending was a gift and an ongoing ritual.
What does soulcare mean to you?
Putting SELF as number one. And, to be kind.
Mind sharing some of your soulcare rituals?
Mornings are my favorite time of the day to be quiet, write, process emotions, and organize. Lately, walking or swimming is my meditation; a perfect way to release all that is unnecessary.
What elements do you love for embracing cooler weather?
Warm rainbow foods and soups — those ranging in color from light and dark greens to carrots, beets, red and sweet potatoes, and fermented veggies. The smell of a burning fireplace. A rustle of a dry cool breeze. Here, I lean into our warm and spicier blends: Atman (Spirit) 1967 Body oils and Vitality No. 7 Body [blends] are go-tos. All can be worn by both men and women. This last one was released in the height of COVID-19’s April 2020 outbreak. It’s an antiviral body blend that holds seven key essentials for immune-boosting through skincare.
What’s your highest vision for the work that you do?
To trust my intuition. To give thanks to the creator everyday.
Finding rituals to foster your own mind-body connection can make all the difference. Share what you’re doing — and interested in exploring with us or on your own — in the comments.
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