Yoga classes in the West typically consists of a strong asana practice (physical postures). However, the impact of Yoga comes from the combination of asana, pranayama (breathwork), mantra/chanting, and meditation.
To get started with these other practices in Yoga, a tool called a Mala can be utilized.
What Are Malas?
Malas are similar to prayer beads found in Catholicism and Islam. Using a string of 108 beads, a mala is used to keep count of the number of repetitions of your chosen mantra during meditation.
Mantras
Mantras are sound vibrations using the voice in order to produce a specific effect. “Man-” means mind, and “-tra” means to tune. In other words, Mantra means “to tune the mind”. As we chant, the sound vibrates throughout our body and influences the energy of the environment around us.
For example, the universal sound of Om is regularly used in chanting circles with the intention to purify the area approximately 2 km from the centre of the circle.
Meditation to Become Immune to Uncertainty
Malas can be used with any chosen mantra in order to produce a specific effect. The following meditation uses the mantra “Sat Nam” from the Kundalini Yoga lineage.
Sat Nam means Truth is My Name. This relates to the Yoga Sutra “Satya” which means to communicate truth.
Being connected to our truth, wisdom, and purpose gives us certainty. We are able to act from a place of faith if we are connected to our inner knowing. So that no matter what comes our way -- we see the bigger picture. We can shift away from negative vibrations of fear and uncertainty and come back to focus.
-
Sit in a comfortable seated position
-
Practice long deep breathing for 3 minutes
-
Tune In:
-
Place your palms together at the centre of your chest
-
Chant “Om” three times
-
Begin Meditation
-
Place the left hand on the knee with the palm face up. Bring index finger and thumb to touch for gyan mudra.
-
Hold the mala in your right hand. Use your thumb to count each bead as you chant “Sat Nam”
-
Close
-
Place palms together at centre of your chest
-
Close with a long Sat, short Nam. Then, ground your palms and your forehead to the ground to seal off the sacred energy.
Your mala holds the vibration of your intention and mantra work. So as your wear your mala, you surround and grid yourself with that vibration. So remember, a mala is much more than a fashion accessory. As Yogis, when we wear our malas out in public, it becomes a symbol (and reminder) of our practice, discipline, and devotion. With Love,Noribelle Ordono
About Noribell @noribelle.ordono
Noribelle Ordono is a Kundalini Yoga teacher on a mission to reconnect people back to spirit. Nori helps to spread the power of Yoga and Meditation as a Digital Marketing Manager with YogaVision Centre, a Yoga studio based in Mississauga. You can find her on instagram at @noribelle.ordono or her youtube channel.
