How To Use A Mala

A mala is a long strand of 108 beads traditionally used to aid your meditation practice. Often, malas are combined with a mantra that you repeat during your meditation – both mantra and mala are meant as tools to help your mind stay focused. Instead of focusing on the number of times you repeat your mantra, you can use your mala to keep count so that you can focus your mantra’s meaning. Malas – in the form of bracelet and necklace – have become super popular. You see yogis wearing them on and off the mat. There are a million different types of malas to choose from – from type of mala beads to the style (length, color, energetic properties, etc) of necklace or bracelet. If you’re new to the mala game, keep reading for insight into the meaning behind particular malas and how to choose the type of mala for your specific needs.

How To Choose The Right Mala For You

You can find malas made of seeds, wood, bones and gemstones. The possibilities are nearly endless. To choose your mala, try using your intuition and thinking about what you would like to achieve. Then find a mala that helps you reach those intentions. A good rule of thumb for choosing a gemstone mala is to match your intentions with your body’s chakras as follows: Root Chakra The first chakra is your sense of grounding, security, intuition and survival. You can choose stones in the red and black family such as hematite, black obsidian, bloodstone, onyx, red zincite, smoky quartz, tiger’s eye, garnet and red jasper. Balancing your Root Chakra can bring about peace and energy and relieve stress and anxiety. Sacral Chakra The second chakra focuses on your creativity, desires and sexuality. Stones for this chakra are in the orange family, and include carnelian, orange zincite, orange jasper and fire opal. Balancing your Sacral Chakra can bring about health and desire, help overcome anger and develop self control. Solar Plexus The third chakra is your body’s power and protection. This chakra’s stones are yellow, including citrine, yellow jasper, yellow sapphire, amber, topaz and calcite. Balancing your Solar Plexus can enhance your focus, decision-making abilities, spiritual growth, happiness and stability. Heart Chakra The fourth chakra is associated with love, compassion and emotional balance. Stones to open up your heart chakra are typically pink or green, and include rose quartz, green aventurine, tourmaline, malachite, emerald, moonstone and jade. Balancing your Heart Chakra can enhance your compassion and ability to love yourself and others more freely. Throat Chakra The fifth chakra is your communication center. This chakra is associated with the color blue, and stones to balance this chakra include turquoise, kyanite, blue calcite, blue lace agate and aquamarine. Balancing your Throat Chakra can instill confidence, and encourage peaceful self-expression and open communication. Third Eye Chakra The sixth chakra is your intuition and spiritual awareness. Associated with the color indigo or dark blue, stones for this chakra include lapis luzi, sugilite, lapis luzi and sodalite. Balancing your Third Eye can enhance your visual consciousness, clarity and insight. Crown Chakra The seventh and highest chakra is your consciousness, enlightenment, patience and highest self-awareness. This chakra is associated with the color violet or golden white and includes amethyst, white topaz, howlite, clear quartz and white calcite. Balancing your Crown Chakra can encourage free thought, transcendence and physical and emotional balance.

How To Use A Mala

Hindu traditions say to hold the mala in your right hand with the thumb flicking one bead to the next while the mala is draped across your middle finger. Traditions in northeast India dictate that the best practice is to drape the mala on the ring finger of the right hand, and move the beads with the middle finger and thumb. Either way you choose, begin your practice by sitting in a quiet, comfortable space. It is best to sit with your legs crossed to keep your mind and body engaged, but you can lie down if sitting up is not possible or uncomfortable. Breathe in deeply and focus your attention on your chosen mantra or affirmation. Once you are calm and focused, start with that bead to the left of the larger center bead – the guru bead – and turn your finger clockwise around each bead and then push that bead away and move onto the next bead. Once you arrive at the guru bead, you can stop your practice, or you can turn the mala around and repeat the process in the omantrather direction.

Mala Mantras For Stress

Now, it’s time to find the right mantra. There are many stress relief mantras to choose from, so it’s important to find one that aligns with your energy and intention. If a stress relief mantra doesn’t feel right or natural for you, don’t use it. The key is to find a mantra that makes you feel like it was designed for you. If none of these give you those good vibes, come up with your own. You don’t have to use Sanskrit mantras or popular modern mantras; it can be whatever you want.

Find the mantras and mala beads for stress that speak to you, and start reciting these powerful statements as you meditate. Here are some mantras for stress relief.

Modern Mantras For Stress

Worrying today is borrowing from tomorrow. Just keep swimming. I am stronger than my circumstances. This too shall pass. Fear is nothing more than a feeling of uncertainty. I change my thoughts, I change the world. Don’t go in your mind where your body is not.

Traditional Mantras For Stress

Elohim (to whom one has recourse in distress or when one is in need of guidance). Om Amideva Hrih (overcome all obstacles). Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (to become or achieve peace of mind, body, speech). Great Noble Tara (overcome anxiety and fear; to eliminate suffering of all kinds). Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha (remove obstacles).