Setting Intentions on the mat with Tiny Devotions

If you are new to yoga or have been practicing for some time, you have probably figured out that yoga is beyond the physical, very much mental, and ultimately a spiritual practice.  Because of the spiritual component of the practice, yoga is a means by which to allow you to connect to your life’s purpose, set intentions, and realize dreams.  Mala beads are a tool used for these purposes.

Mala beads are meditation garlands  worn for thousands of years in the traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga and meditation.  Elemental OM is very happy to now be carrying a wide assortment of mala beads from a beautiful company called Tiny Devotions.  Tiny Devotions is unique in that it combines the healing energy of crystals, intentions, and malas.  Below is a discussion of malas and meaning.  I also include a Kundalini meditation to download to use with your malas.  I hope this is helpful!  OM, Pamela

Kundalini Mala Meditation

FROM TINY DEVOTIONS….

From the moment we first laid our eyes on mala beads we were extraordinarily drawn to their uniqueness and energy. It was an unexplainable attraction. They gripped us. They grabbed us. We’ve been wearing them ever since and have made it our mission to bring the beautiful power of mala beads to as many people as possible. Talk about spreading the love!

Mala beads are traditionally used for japa meditation – reciting a positive affirmation or mantra along each bead to come into a more calming, connected and spiritual state. When we started making mala beads we wanted to take the tradition of these esoteric beads and make them accessible and “sexy.”

We wanted to link mala beads to setting an intention.

At Tiny Devotions we’re very interested in the healing qualities of crystals so we fused mala beads with healing crystals that each have their own energy and intention. There are crystals for love,strength,prosperity, healing,break-ups,focusing,letting go,spirituality,grounding,protection and so on.

Choosing an intention is only half of the process. It is just as important to choose a mala that you are visually and aesthetically drawn to. The things we find beautiful are just as important in our healing as what they are meant for – whether it is art, a beautiful beach or a set of mala beads.

One common blockage we have seen people struggle with when choosing mala beads or in general is figuring out what their dream or intention should be.

Ask yourself:

What do I want?

If you cannot answer this, ask yourself: What do I not want?

This is a good starting point. There are so many ways to get clear on this: yoga, meditation, goal setting and vision boarding.

Or perhaps your intention is to start making clear decisions – that is a good place to start as well.

There is something powerful about wearing your intention. It makes your goal tangible at every moment of the day. Every time you look at your mala or feel it, you are reminded to stay on your chosen path. Distractions that are coming at you from all directions are averted when you have a physical object to touch and gently be taken back. We often hold my mala beads during a conversation or gaze at them in front of my mat during yoga and they remind me why I am here.

Along with being prayer beads, malas are worry beads. People who wear them often touch, rub or hold them. They are a constant reminder that you are not alone, that you are powerful, complete and that everything is possible.

Here are several factors that you should be mindful of when choosing mala beads:

Beauty:

Things that you are attracted to are integral in your healing whether it is a beautiful landscape, a cute animal or a gorgeous mala. Surrounding yourself with beautiful and uplifting things is powerful.

Color:

What is your favourite colour? What colour of clothing do you wear often. You want to choose a mala that you will use and wear often so choose something that you can see being a staple.

Shape:

Find a mala with a shape that you connect with. Ever heard of sacred geometry? Choose something that you are drawn to.

Intention:

What do you want to create in your life? What are you working on? What do you want? What are you struggling with. Ask yourself these questions and see if they guide to what you want to create as your intention.

Energy

Every crystal we use in our mala beads has its own individual energy. Make sure that this energy aligns with your intention! A lot of malas will assist everyone on some level – see if you can find something that you connect with individually.

Intuition:

What was the first mala you were originally drawn to? – This is most likely the perfect mala for you!

Choosing a mala is a combination of all of these factors – most importantly follow your intuition and follow your heart.

Bio:

At Tiny Devotions, we’re Boho gypsies, yogi fashionistas who spread awareness about mala beads that inspire their wearers to live more peaceful intention based lives.

Inspired? Take a peek at our shop: http://shop.lovetinydevotions.com/ or check out our blog http://www.bohodaily.com/

 

*The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. Check with your doctor before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or nursing.