You might have seen the beautiful beads on students and instructors, but what are malas and their significance to your yoga practice.

Mala is Sanskrit for Garland ~ A mala is a garland of 108 beads or seeds used for prayer and meditation. The number, 108, is considered an auspicious number for many reasons, one being:

1 stands for higher truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.

The 108 beads or seeds that create the mala provide 108 opportunities to recite a prayer, chant, or intention. By following the garland with fingertips, one is able to complete the 108 prayers without the need to open the eyes or count aloud. In addition to the 108 beads/seeds, there is a guru bead that indicates that you’ve completed your 108 chants and reminds you to offer up gratitude to the inner teacher that resides inside of you.

Yin Yoga is a gentle, quiet, and meditative practice that teaches us to slow down, relax, really listen and accept ourselves just as we are. All poses are done on the floor so that the muscles can relax and allow the deep connective tissues surrounding the hips, thighs, and lower back to be gently stretched.

With more passive postures, yin is unique in that you are asked to relax in the posture, soften the muscle and move closer to the bone. Yin offers a much deeper access to the body. It is not uncommon to see postures held for three to five minutes. Many find immediate benefits like more open hips, elongation of the spine, a more relaxed body and a centered mind.

Combining the two is a gentle yet very powerful practice

Yin Yoga & Malas a way to naturally quiet your mind.

I have Mala Beads to use or of course you can bring your own.

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Class is $12 and on Tuesday evenings at 7pm

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