More than just beautiful adornment, guateMALA beads are powerful and symbolic necessities to be used in the tools for meditation. Yogis love to wear yoga, from tees to tattoos to diffuser bracelets that express the devotion to the practice and now guateMALA beads are the newest trend to be integrated into wearable yoga. In the past, a MALA was just a strand of 108 beads plus a “guru” bead traditionally used for meditation and prayer. Building from the aforementioned foundation, we at VOS® have established our stamp on ethically sourcing guateMALA beads from Guatemalan volcanic rock and we have initially introduced The guateMALA Collection of diffuser bracelets as our own version of the 108 bead strand.
Traditional MALA beads have been used by yogis and spiritual seekers for thousands of years to help keep their minds focused during meditation. MALAS were first created in India 3,000+ years ago (with roots in Hinduism & Buddhism) and were used for a special style of meditation called Japa, which means, “to recite”. The older term ‘MALA’ is a Sanskrit word for “meditation garland” and our updated guateMALA term is a Spanish word which represents the sourcing country of Guatemala where each piece is handcrafted and blessed with positive Mayan energy.
Imbued with potent energies and sacred meaning to infuse an individual’s yoga practice, the diffuser bracelets offer people a wearable reflection of something in their own journey. So in that way the guateMALA bracelets really become whatever the wearer intends for it by engaging the positive energy of the volcanic lava rock beads with ones prayers, hopes and dreams. Volcanic lava rock beads are a great symbol for the grace one creates and the decision to love even though it is sure to break ones heart; to meet challenge with compassion is the yoga practice of life and makes it worth living.
Here’s how a beginner can start using a guateMALA bracelet for meditation:
- Choose a spot and sit comfortably with your spine straight and your eyes closed. Take a few deep breaths to center and align yourself with your intention.
- If you have one, use a mantra for this practice, chanting aloud or silently.
- Hold your guateMALA bracelet in your right hand, draped between your middle and index fingers. Starting at the guru pull string braid, use your thumb to count each smaller bead, pulling it toward you as you recite your mantra. Do this for every guateMALA bead, traveling around the guateMALA bracelet, until you once again reach the guru string braid.
- If you want to continue the meditation, instead of passing over the guru string braid, simply reverse direction and begin again.
When you pick up some of our brand new guateMALA bead bracelets, you might wonder if there are any rules associated with them. The traditional view of MALA beads says that your guateMALA bracelets should be worn on your right wrist. So, whether you’re wrapping a MALA necklace into a bracelet or have purchased some of our new guateMALA bracelets, the right hand is usually the right way. However, that’s not to say that you won’t receive the benefits and style of wearing guateMALA beads on your left hand. Whatever you decide to do, your guateMALA beads will pick up on your energies. So, it comes down to whether you want to use the volcanic lava rock beads traditionally or not.
It’s important to remember that you are the biggest influencer on how guateMALA beads work for you. If you’re wearing guateMALA bracelets on your right hand because you were told to, but it throws your chakra off and makes you feel uncomfortable, you’re better off moving it to the left. Ultimately, whether you love to accessorize with guateMALA beads or look to the style and deeper healing properties, there’s a look that’s right for you. The relationship between you and your guateMALA bracelet is special, and they’re your guateMALA beads — as long as the pieces resonate with you, you can wear them however you want!
