Mālā is a sanskrit word translating to garland and is a strand of 108 beads, knotted together and then brought together by the grounding energy of an additional bead - the guru bead. A traditional japa mālā is a tool for japa meditation - the counting or reciting of a mantra or sacred sound, such as Ōṃ, during meditation. Japa is considered to be part of sādhanā, a daily personal practice.
A mālā typically consists of 108 beads, representing 108 sacred (accupressure-like) points, knows as marmas + the connecting guru bead. Marma points are said to converge consciousness and matter and the guru bead represents wisdom; a shift from darkness to light.
Mālās are made in a variety of materials such as seeds, wood, and gemstones. The mālās I create are made with natural and carefully selected gemstones. Each gemstone holds a different energetic property intended to support you and your current season of life.
I choose to create mālās with a traditional tassel. Wisdom passed down to me, states the tassel signifies a fresh start and bringing new energy in towards the meditation practitioner.
Your mālā may be added to your daily sādhanā practice with japa (mantra) meditation or worn with purpose as a reminder of your unique intentions.
How I got started creating malas…
It all started after the back to back category 5 hurricane’s Irma and Maria. Several of us were evacuated via boat from the island of St. John to Puerto Rico, just two weeks after Hurricane Irma destroyed the island and moments before Maria arrived on land.
Back in the states - heartbroken, feeling helpless and unsure of what to do. My soul ached for the islands, for our friends who were still there and for everyone displaced.
Unable to connect with the community and support necessary healing through the weekly yoga and meditation classes I had been offering for years, I felt like I had to do something. This is when the Love City Mala was born. [ seen on the left. ]
I decided to make this very special mala and named it “Love City”, after St. John’s nickname. The intention of the design was for survivors of the 2017 hurricanes to feel the strength and beauty of the island with each wear. This specific design mimicked the colors of the pristine beaches and tranquil waters surrounding St John. The earth stones selected were chosen to provide calming energies to bring peace, serenity and healing to the wearer.
The design was created for island friends but also requested by visitors and those who cherish their time visiting the island. Only a handful of this specific design was created and a portion of the sales supported efforts in hurricane recovery.
All malas I create are handmade from the knots connecting each bead to the finishing touch of the tassel. These handmade malas are inspired by the healing aspects of yoga and meditation as well as the strength and beauty of those wearing them and using them as a tool for meditation.
