Are You Making These 5 Jewelry Faux Pas in Your Yoga Class? (And what to try instead)
If you’re like me, each new part of your day requires the proper clothes and accessorizing! I have my ensembles for trade shows, meetings, work from home days, coffee shop days, and going to my favorite bar. These are easily put together, have few restrictions, and are usually based on my mood at the time.
But what about the part of my day when I head to the yoga studio for a flow class? Of course you know about wearing the appropriate tops and leggings (no see-through pairs that you’ve been eating popcorn in since college!), keeping your feet clean, no strong scents, etc… but have you thought about your yoga jewelry lately? I know I love to accessorize even at yoga... isn't that why we buy pants with the cutest prints, and tops that show the intricate straps of our bralettes? However, avoid these five yoga jewelry faux pax, and try this instead!
- No mala beads
I know, I know. These are specifically for yogis, right?! But if you actually look into the true purpose of mala beads, they are for meditation and spiritual guidance. According to Yoga Journal, the beads “help the practitioner keep track of their place as they move through a meditation practice”. The necklace can also been worn throughout the day to help you tap into the energy of the stones. It is NOT meant to be worn during active flow practice when it could slip off of your head in an inversion, or knock around on the floor.
Try this instead: Place the mala at the top of your mat, to remind and encourage you towards the intention you set at the beginning of your practice.
- No dangly or heavy earrings
I’ve totally made this mistake before. Maybe I accidentally left in a pair I had been wearing throughout the day, or I misjudged the length and weight of new earrings. Either way, there is nothing more distracting than the constant jangling RIGHT AT YOUR EAR when you’re moving into a forward fold. The weight can also be distracting if they are swinging wildly around as move into a twist. On top of that, you can actually cause yourself injury if your earring gets caught on your clothing during a flow. Ouch!
Try this instead: Wear a pair of studs! This way there is no movement, the weight is light, and there is little to no risk of them getting caught on your clothing. Try this pair that we at Vannucci ltd offer!
- No bangle bracelets
There is a girl that comes to my vinyasa class I often attend and she is almost always wearing bangle bracelets. They are SO NOISY between jangling against each other and knocking the floor as she puts her hands down, it is very distracting to me. Without fail, she ends up taking them off about 15 minutes into class, so I know they are annoying her, too, as they slide up and down her arm. Yea, she looks very “yogi-esque” with her billowing pants, crocheted top, and bangles… but those things aren’t conducive to an actual active yoga practice.
Try this instead: Wear them to the studio but leave them in the cubby with your socks. This way you can still flaunt your style on your way in and out of class, but no need to be distracting during active practice time.
- Looooong necklaces
When I say loooooong, I don’t mean just looooooong but also looong. Even a 16”-18” necklace can really impede your practice. When I first started practicing, I would wear a thin 16” chain with a tiny stone pendant. Well, that tiny stone hit my forehead so many times during my practice…pretty much anytime my head dipped down, from down dog to folds. You just don’t need these distractions when you’re trying to calm your mind
Try this instead: Now I almost exclusively wear this necklace. It’s 14”, so even when I’m upside down, it won’t come out from under my chin. The moon pendant also adds a nice theme fit.
- Larger rings
Rings would be ok if we were perfect yogis who always stayed on our mats. But I know that the flow often moves us around and suddenly our hands are sticking off the sides or halfway off the front. Then comes the clickity-clack of your rings on the wooden floor.
Try this instead: Small stacking rings with very thin bands. This way, the pads of your hands and fingers will hit floor before the metal of the ring, muffling any sounds.
No you're on your way to less distracted, yet just as in vogue, yoga practice!