THE
ANATOMY OF A YOGA MALA 108 COUNTING BEADS
A mala should contain exactly 108 beads (or if a wrist mala a division of 108) that are touched and counted when chanting a mantra for meditation.
A TASSEL
A mala should have a tassel—a wrapped bundle of strings—at the bottom of the mala necklace. The tassel should be constructed to bind the mala together by hiding the mala string’s knot.
A GURU OR MERU BEAD
The guru bead is the 109th bead in a mala and connects the counting beads together with the tassel. This bead symbolizes the wisdom of the guru or teacher and the lofty goal of reaching enlightenment, the top of the mountain or meru of the practice.
SPACER AND MARKER BEADS
Thin metal beads are sometimes used to add decoration and to add additional length to a mala. Larger marker beads are sometimes added to mark off sections of the mala but are not to be counted.
A STRING
The mala can be strung with many different materials (silk, cotton, nylon or steel cord) and will wear down with use and eventually break.
MANTRA TIPS • Count your beads before using to make sure there is a • • • •
108 mantra beads. Make sure your mala’s tassel is integrated in the construction of the mala and not separately attached. Never touch the guru/meru bead or use it for counting. Do not use the spacer and marker beads for counting. You can purchase mala beads beads and read more about mantras at www.JapaMalaBeads.com