A mala is a meditation necklace that has been worn by Yogis, Hindus and Buddhists for thousands of years. It supports you on your spiritual journey and helps you manifest your goals. We want to give you a brief overview what a mala necklaces is and what its benefits are.    Origin and meaning of mala beads The term "mala (माला, pronounced mālā)" is Sanskrit and means "meditation beads". In ancient times, the mala was given to yoga students by their master during a special ritual to help them on the path to enlightenment. Mala beads are traditionally made of special materials and are used to support japa meditation. In this form of meditation, a specific mantra or affirmation is spoken aloud and repeated over and over again. To concentrate fully on the mantra - and not be distracted by counting the repetitions - the meditator uses the mala as a counting aid. This allows a deeper meditation and the resulting energy is "stored" directly in the necklace. This kind of meditation is already mentioned in the Mahabharata about 400 BC. However, since knowledge in India was traditionally passed on orally from master to student, the actual origin of the mala necklace is probably much older.   Structure of a mala necklace A mala necklace traditionally consists of 108 beads and a guru bead (also called "bindu"). The number 108 is a special number in Buddhism and Hinduism. For example, it is said that the body has 108 energy pathways and that a mantra can only develop its full effect after 108 repetitions. The guru bead is attached as an extra bead slightly offset. Often it is made of a special material or has a decoration, for example a tassel. It is not used during meditation and serves to calm the flow of energy through the rest of the beads. This prevents the energy from flowing cyclically through the mala. It also marks the start and end points of the meditation. Sometimes beads of a different size/texture are inserted at positions 27, 54 , 55 and 81. These serve as a kind of compass during meditation. This is because they allow you to feel how many repetitions you have done and how long the meditation will continue.   Who can wear a mala? Anyone can wear a mala necklace - whether they meditate or not. While malas have traditionally been used as prayer beads and are deeply rooted in Indian culture, don't let that deter you: A mala can benefit every human being regardless of religion or lifestyle and act as a reminder of your positive intentions. Just wearing a mala has a calming and positive effect on many people around the world. A mala is both a beautiful piece of jewelry and a companion on your path to greater peace, a calm mind and a positive life.   How to wear a mala necklace in everyday life? You can wear a mala simply as a necklace around your neck or wrap it around your wrist several times. Many people also wear it under their clothes, directly on their skin and close to their heart. You can wear the mala all day long. However, you should take it off for washing or showering. This is because the thread becomes less durable when wet, and soap/perfume will make the beads brittle over time. Theoretically, you can even wear your mala at night - but most people prefer to keep it on the nightstand next to them or in a small wooden box. And of course, you can take your mala with you to your yoga practice - to focus and to charge your necklace with your positive yogi energy. To do this, place the necklace on the floor next to the head of your mat. This way you always have it in sight and it doesn't interfere with your asanas.   What makes a mala special? No matter which way you personally prefer to wear it, you will notice after a few days that a very special relationship develops between you and your mala. Many people report that they are reluctant to take off their mala, that they unconsciously touch it with their fingers all the time, or that they feel a special warmth when wearing it. This is due to the special energetic properties of the beads, which interact with your body's energy. The beads absorb and store your bodys energy, while at the same time releasing a bit of their own energy onto you. For this reason, a mala is also a very personal object. You should not just give it to friends or other people to wear - nor should you just wear other people's malas for a few days.

A mala supports you on your personal journey. It reminds you to take some time out for yourself and simply feel peaceful. By carrying it with you, it helps you pause, arrive in the present, and engage in the moment. And when you combine it with positive intentions, you make it your tool for a mindful everyday life. However, if you want to fully connect with your mala or need a little more power during intense phases of life, we recommend that you meditate with your mala on a regular basis. This meditation is called "Japa Meditation" and we explain it to you step by step in this article.   The Japa Meditation If you want to fully activate the energy of your necklace, you can "charge" it using the Japa Meditation. This is a form of meditation that has been used for thousands of years. It was traditionally only passed down from masters to their students and is still a popular form of meditating with malas today.   Step 1: Determine a Mantra Mantras are specific sound forms that were identified thousands of years ago as being particularly beneficial to humans. They are words or phrases with a very specific sound. The meaning doesn't matter at all, but much more what happens while you say the words. This is because vibrations are created that stimulate different regions in your body. So make sure that you pronounce your mantra correctly - otherwise it cannot have its desired effect. A universal mantra that is good for everyone is, for example, "Om" or "Om namah shivāya". If you prefer to use English words that support you to manifest your intentions, you can use affirmations. These are phrases that describe a desired state. For example, "I feel Love" or "I am calm like the sea". And if you prefer a minimalist approach to your meditation, you can of course just focus on your breath. Use one bead for inhalation and the next for exhalation. Step 2: The Meditation Sit with your legs crossed on the floor (cross-legged, lotus, ...) or on a meditation cushion. Take your mala necklace in your right hand. Grasp the first bead to the right of the guru bead with your thumb and middle finger. The index finger does not touch the beads at any time. This is because the index finger is traditionally associated with the ego - and that has no place in meditation. Now close your eyes and begin to speak your mantra/power phrase, focusing completely on the sound and feeling of it. While doing this, gently rotate the bead back and forth between both fingers. Then move clockwise one bead at a time and repeat until you reach the guru bead again. Take a few moments to listen to yourself and feel the energy. Then slowly open your eyes.   Step 3: Be patient with yourself To fully charge your necklace, we recommend that you do a full japa meditation every day for 14 days. After that, you can meditate with the necklace at irregular intervals - whenever you feel that it would do you good or you feel that your mala could use a little extra energy. And remember: When you meditate with your mala necklace, be patient with yourself. It is perfectly normal for your mind to wander in the beginning. Keeping your thoughts gently focused on the mantra is part of the practice and the key to more mindfulness and harmony. After a short time you will find it much easier to calm your thoughts and simply let go.

A mala is more than a piece of jewelry. It is a wonderful companion in your everyday life, a reminder of the intentions in your life or simply a helper in daily meditation. With the wide range of different materials, colors and effects associated with these necklaces, it is sometimes difficult to decide on a particular model. Therefore, in this article we want to help you find exactly the right mala for you. Deciding which mala du buy is a very personal process that will connect you piece by piece with yourself. And this is exactly what distinguishes a mala from an ordinary necklace: the confrontation with yourself and the intention the necklace is supposed to support you with.   Trust your intuition Most of the time, your gut feeling knows on its own what you need right now and in which phase of life you are. Have felt drawn to a certain mala from the first second you saw it? Do you feel an immediate connection to a certain stone? Then this necklace is probably the right one. Trust your intuition, even if you might have had something else in mind. In our experience with ourselves and our friends, the first impulse is usually the right one for your current life situation. If your intuition has decided which stone and which color will be supportive for you right now, then take this necklace. So take a few breaths. Connect with yourself and feel inside if there is not already a right Mala for you right now.   Finding the Meaning of Your Mala Malas can help you focus on a specific intention and integrate it into your daily life. To find an intention, it is important that you take time for yourself. Feel into yourself what issues are currently on your mind and write down every little thing - your thoughts will guide you. Now get to the bottom of it and think about what intention, what quality you need in your life right now to deal with these very issues. Self-confidence, perhaps? Courage? Some peace of mind? Each of our malas embodies a specific intention. So when you have found out which quality you want to give more space to in your life, you can orientate yourself by the names and descriptions of our malas. For each chain we have also described in detail which effects are attributed to the stones and what they are meant for.   Enjoy the process Everyone needs time to make decisions. Most of the time your head is a bit clearer after you have slept on it for a night. No matter if your intuition has spontaneously decided on a mala or if you are looking for an intention first: enjoy the process, because this is the beginning of you coming to terms with yourself intensively. And with every meditation the relationship to your mala will become more personal all by itself - so that after a few weeks it will be exactly your mala anyway.