Mala History and Use

Odds are if you have been practicing asana or meditation in the last 10 years, you’ve seen these beautiful intricate beaded necklaces or bracelets, called Malas, adorning your teachers and students in the practice room. I remember the first few times I saw these on my teachers and was immediately caught up in the beauty and intricacy I witnessed in this wearable art. It wasn’t until my first 200-hour Teacher Training in 2011 that I had one of our leads explain the purpose of Malas as a meditation tool, not just a piece of jewelry. This allowed me to explore my first journey in Japa Meditation and actually found a mediation practice that could distract my mind and ground me into the moment. With a desire to dig in deeper, I began to explore the art of making Malas with Sarita, the owner of Tibet Imports in Denver, who has guided many Denverites into this intentional practice of intentional creativity. 

In the yoga community, we recognize the importance of cultural honoring, and I’m hoping to help provide some clarity and insight on this grounding practice. This practice can often be misconstrued, when we limit the Mala to being an everyday ‘yoga accessory’. It’s so much more than that.

What is a Mala?

Originating around the 8th century BCE in South Asia, Malas, or ‘Japamalas’, are beaded necklaces or bracelets used in prayer, or Japa Meditation. In this practice, one repeats a Mantra (sacred utterance), breath, or gratitude, for every bead on the Mala, until you’ve reached 108 (the amount of beads on the Mala). The word Mala translates to ‘garland’ and pre-dates the Catholic Rosary. Did you know over 2/3 of the world uses some type of counting beads for prayer or meditation?

Why 108?

All Malas have 108 beads or a derivative of 108 (54 for mini-Malas, or 12 for bracelets), +1 Guru bead, which does not get counted, but marks the start and end of your meditation/prayer. There are many thoughts on the significance of this number, as there is no direct confirmation in any sacred text. However most scholars believe the root of this significance can be connected to a few sources: the amount of letters in the Sanskrit alphabet, sacred texts of the Upanishads, Marma points (Ayurvedic acupressure points), sacred sites in India, and the list goes on. This could be a blog post in itself!

How to Use

The beads are used to count repetitions of breath, a Mantra (for example Om), or a prayer, each bead brings you closer towards your intention. You’ll start at the first bead next to the Guru bead and bring the beads towards you, using your thumb and middle finger only, as the index finger is thought to be the ‘ego’ finger, or the accusing finger. Once you’ve completed the 108 rounds (or 54) you may complete your meditation practice, or flip your Mala over, and count another 108 repetitions, being mindful to not cross the Guru bead.

What are They Made of?

Most frequently you’ll see Malas that are made with semiprecious stones and more traditional Malas were made with Rudraksha, Rattan, or Tulsi seeds. Beads themselves have had powerful significance and influence in human history, from talismans for protection, amulets for good luck, to status symbols worn on clothing. The most intentional Malas have a knot between every bead, to lock in the Mala’s intention, and prayer.

How to Care for Your Mala

Your Mala is not just an accessory, it is a sacred tool for ritual, and should be treated as such. When not in use (depending on the tradition) you can wear these on your body, store on an Altar (or any sacred space in your home/office), or in a Japa Bead Bag. As many Malas are made with sacred and intentional gemstones, I recommend cleansing your Mala after receiving it with sage or palo santo. Bonus points if you place it outside during a full moon!

Where to Purchase

All of CorePower Yoga’s Malas are supplied by Sarita at Tibet Imports in Denver. Check them out next time you’re in the studio! 

She offers Vedic chart readings, in addition to customized Mala kits to learn how to make one yourself, and other tools for rituals. Her shop is located in Denver, CO, but she ships across the U.S. Contact Sarita via Instagram for shipping information.