Barrie Davenport

Also known as japamala, jaap mala, prayer beads, and Buddha pearls, mala beads are to Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism as rosaries are to Catholicism.

Mala is the Sanskrit word for garland, and people use these specially strung beads as a meditation and prayer tool.

Mala meditation is exceptionally effective for people who want to improve their focus and strengthen their spiritual resolve.

So today, we’re unpacking everything you need to know to get started with meditation beads.

Looking for ways to make your meditation sessions more meaningful?

Or maybe you’re in the market for a stylish necklace?

Either way, mala beads may be just the thing.

A staple in Eastern religions, mala beads are used for counting mantras and recitations.

A full set boasts 108 beads, but strands of 54, 27, and 18 are also common.

Mala beads also have a larger “guru bead” not used for counting.

Below, we’re breaking down how to choose mala meditation beadsfor yourself**.**

Are you run down?

Beset with chronic pain?

Are aches causing you strife?

Or perhaps you’re interested in getting to know your body a bit better.

Whichever the case, doing body scan meditations may help.

Stress affects us in many ways, physically and mentally, and we often don’t realize the discomfort it causes, which frequently results in a negative feedback loop.

But body scans can interrupt the cycle.

So how are they done?

We’ve written a body scan meditation scriptto get you started.

Rise and shine, gorgeous: It’s Monday — the least-celebrated day of the week!

But Mondays needn’t be bummers.

People who’ve adopted a “mindful Mondays” mindset look forward to the first day of the work week as a fresh start.

For them, every Monday is a New Year’s mulligan — a tabula rasa ripe with potential.

Instead of seeing Mondays as the day you jump back into the pit, shift your perspective and approach Mondays as a regenerative launch pad for your hopes, goals, and dreams.

Welcome to our thoughtfully curated list of 37 take a deep breath quotes.

Because, like us, you could probably use some daily reminders.

For the most part, breathing is involuntary.

But taking a few moments throughout the day to practice mindful breathing can change your health, your perspective, and even the choices you make.

These quotes on breathing illustrate the power behind this practice.

We think you’ll find some new favorites.

Do you feel like you’re always focusing on the past or worried about the future?

If so, it’s time to start living in the present.

A mindfulness practice asks us to drop into the moment and engage with it fully.

It can help us become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and experiences and connect more closely with the world around us.

One of the best ways to reinforce mindfulness is by using mantras.

Mantras are words or phrases that help us focus on the present moment.

They can help you transcend your active mind during meditation or serve as tools throughout your day to remain attentive and aware.

How is the holiday season for you – enjoyable or stressful?

Or perhaps a bit of both.

We want the season to be a sacred time to connect and celebrate with family and friends.

But for many of us, it is also a time when we feel anxious and even sad.

The pressure to have the perfect holiday can be overwhelming.

How can you minimize these feelings to enjoy the season and be more present with loved ones?

Mindfulness is the key.

Being mindful can help you savor moments of celebration more, as well as reduce stress.

The practice helps you become more present and aware, bringing calm and joy to your special celebration.

And who couldn’t use a bit more of that?

Yoga and meditation are like salt and pepper, rhythm and blues, Ben and Jerry.

Pairing the two immaculate halves makes a divine whole and fosters better connections between our bodies, minds, and souls.

To celebrate the relationship between healing movement and mindfulness, we’ve curated a list of guided meditation scripts for yoga teachersand practitioners.

Feel free to use these savasana scriptsas is, or tweak them to fit your exact needs, situations, and goals.

Unflappable inner peace.

That is such a wonderfully descriptive phrase.

We have all known people who have found internal peace.

They exude an inner calm even in the most trying circumstances.

They are fully present with everyone — gentle and accepting of themselves and others.

They are slow to anger.

Even their faces look serene, open, and content.

When the world is storming around them, they maintain equilibrium and calm with a strong center to support them.

However, most of us have lives so over-scheduled that we are always frantic and preoccupied.

It’s hard to relax or fully enjoy life with all of the distractions and upsets.

So many of us exist in a cloud of internal and external chaos.

You probably know people who are prone to creating problems and crises.

They even get off on the drama in a weird, unhealthy way.

But inside they feel anxious, unsettled, and rarely content.

In a culture that venerates busyness and constant stimulation, you have to make peace a priority if you want to reap the benefits.

They include mental and physical health and well-being, self-confidence, better relationships, and a more intense and joyful experience of life.

You’ve heard or read about the value of finding inner peace, but understanding what it means and how you access it for yourself is challenging.

If it were easy, the world would be a safer, happier place.

Are you a self-development enthusiast?

Then you’ve undoubtedly heard it a trillion times by now: Journaling is phenomenal for your well-being.

It’s a common refrain because it’s true.

Peer-reviewed, double-blind study after peer-reviewed, double-blind study concludes that pouring our emotions and thoughts onto a page balances our emotions, improves our moods, and helps us reach our goals.

With that in mind, today, we’re talking about how to journal for self-improvement**.**