A message from our sweet friend Kris Carr

Some people tie a string around their finger as a reminder. I wear a mala. It’s my spiritual forget-me-not. A tap on the shoulder throughout the day, encouraging me to pause, breathe and come back to my deepest intentions. They motivate me to invest in moments of self-care and compassion. So when Tiny Devotions’ emailed to ask if I wanted to design two special malas, I jumped at the chance!

If you’d like to check out these malas directly, find the ‘I am love’ mala here and the ‘I am resilient’ mala here.

Before I get to our creations, their unique meanings, I wanted to share some background on malas with you. And since Diana is my resident mala expert, I connected with her to get the scoop on what makes malas so special and how you can use them in your everyday life.

Kris: What are mala beads?

Diana: For those of you who don’t know, mala beads (also known as prayer beads) are meditation garlands that have been worn for thousands of years in traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga and meditation. Whether or not they’re tied to your religion is totally up to you. Mala beads are usually used for japa meditation. During japa meditation you would recite a positive affirmation or mantra along each bead. This practice can help you achieve a more calming, connected and spiritual state.

Typical garlands contain 108 beads made from gemstones, wood or Rudruksha seeds that match your intention or affirmation. Malas love attention, so placing them around your neck, on your altar or running them through your fingertips daily, keeps them (and you!) vibrationally tuned. They’re a constant reminder that you are not alone, that you are powerful, complete and that everything is possible.

Kris: How do I set an intention?

Diana: Setting an intention is important to align your beads with purpose and ground you for success. One common blockage people struggle with when choosing mala beads is figuring out what their dream or intention should be.

When in doubt, ask yourself :

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

Once you’ve narrowed it down, infusing your beads is as simple as focusing on your intention with beads in hand. Whenever you stray or waiver, simply pick up your mala and take a moment or two to realign with your desire.

What’s the story behind the Crazy Sexy Malas?

In order to design my one-of-a-kind mala beads for you, I spent a lot of time thinking about the intentions that guide me each day. The combination of stones I picked aligned with the principles that have supported me most during my Crazy Sexy journey.

I am resilient (turquoise)

The intention behind this mala is to nurture your innate ability to heal and thrive. It was designed to be a reminder that you are your own best friend and have strength beyond measure. We get bumped, bruised and tossed around a lot as life navigators. This mala is meant to be a touchstone during those times—it’s available to cheer you on and to remind you that you have a vast well of inner resources!

Stone meanings:

• Turquoise represents healing & protection
• Black Onyx represents strength
• Rose Quartz represent love

I am love (fuschia)

The intention behind this mala is to reinforce the sacred practice of loving and caring for yourself so that you can be the person you’re meant to be in the world. This mala was designed to center and calm you when you’re feeling unbalanced or overwhelmed. And it was crafted to ground you in the infinite power of the love that comes from within.

Stone meanings:

• Freshwater Pearl enables one to accept love & assists in self-love
• Fuchsia Jade represents health, wealth, longevity, harmony & balance
• Turquoise represents healing & protection