How do you use a mala?

So many are romanticized by the beauty of mala beads.  We absolutely love making mala beads because we feel so connected to them in many ways.  We make them knowing they will be sent off to a new home to bring joy and peace.  We have begun saying a very special prayer when a mala is complete as a way of blessing them so they may bring their new home peace, love and good energy.  A traditional mala consists of 108 beads and a larger guru bead at the base.

So many people new to meditation ask "how do you meditate with mala beads"?  Here's a quick tutorial:

Mala Beads for Meditation: 

Ideally, you will find a quiet, calming place where you can sit comfortably with proper posture (sit straight &  tall). Take a few slow, deep breaths with your eyes closed.  Some people choose to have some calm music playing in the background. 

  1. You may use a mantra to meditate.  We like to chant our mantra silently but you may chant it out loud if you're comfortable doing so.  
    1. A mantra is a word, saying or prayer that you repeat
  2. You should hold your mala with your right hand, between your middle finger and index finger. You start at the guru bead (the bigger bead at the base of your mala).  Simply use your thumb to count each bead, pulling it toward you as you recite your mantra. You may do this 108 times, traveling around the mala, until you once again reach the guru bead.
  3. If you want to continue the meditation, simply reverse direction and start again for another 108 times.
  4. If you're new to meditation, you may have trouble getting to 108 repetitions.  It's ok, we've all been there.  Go as far as you can, stop, take a deep breath and start again.  It's your time so feel comfortable using it as you wish.

It's Spring! Jumpstart your practice and get back in the groove!

Spring is the perfect time to restart and rejuvenate!  Whether it's cleaning out your closet or taking your yoga practice to the next level, all new beginnings should be welcomed with open arms!  So, start today, it's never too late!

In other news, we are super excited to have launched some new men's yoga shorts!  We really took the time to find some great prints in soft and comfortable fabrics.  We've gotten really great feedback from our yogis.  They are widely used for Bikram yoga, hot yoga, sweaty vinyasa... heck, some guys are even wearing our Kangaroo Short on the beach!  We say why not!  Wear them wherever it is you're comfortable.

Valentine's Day, Hot Chakras Yoga Style

We believe that every day is Valentine's Day, however, we love the idea of celebrating it a little bit extra on that one special day.  We've put together some really great pieces in the spirit of love & giving.  From our simple "Your Are Beautiful" bracelet to our Rose Quartz Love Mala beads, we know you'll find something sweet and unique for that special person in your life {including you}.


Yoga Travel Tree Holiday Gift Guide

We are thrilled to be included in the Yoga Travel Tree Gift Guide!  We love what Yoga Travel Tree stands for, yoga & travel, our two favorite things!

We're so proud to be able to offer you some beautiful gift items this holiday season.  From healing gemstone bracelets & hand-knotted malas to fun, unique scarves and tees that every yogi is sure to love!  

Take a peek and we promise you'll find something you love!

Cheers to the holiday season!


Mala Beads…A Labor of Love

As many of you may know, I love mala beads.  It's an absolute passion of mine to design and create them from start to finish.  Depending on the design, they can take anywhere from 2-5 hours to make.  From carefully hand-knotting between each bead to hand-cutting the tassels, it's truly a labor of love.  And, because I'm a bit of a perfectionist, they have to be perfect (in my eyes).  Mala beads are made up of 108 beads.  They are used for meditation almost like a rosary is used for praying.  Malas have become very fashionable,  but it's important not to lose sight of what they stand for and the spiritual power that they represent.

I've been fortunate enough to make several custom malas for some very special people.  I've also made malas where a client walks up and immediately falls in love with them, as if they had an instant, deep connection with them.  It's very powerful and I feel fortunate that I'm able to be a part of that.


Getting Back Into the Yoga Groove

Let's admit it, sometimes our bodies don't do what we want them to.  Maybe it's because I'm one year older, maybe it's because I didn't do much yoga in the last year.  Whatever it is, it sucks!

After traveling for almost two months, I returned to my practice and boy has it been tough.  My feet hurt, my legs can't hold me up, I run out of breath, I have a little extra meat on me … I could go on and on.  It's such a humbling experience, however, it's an important reminder of how strong our bodies CAN be.  I reflect on how strong my body once was and I try to remind myself that it did not get there overnight.  Patience, I say, patience. 

The beauty about yoga is that it will always welcome us back with open arms.  It forgives us for going to happy hour {or just being lazy} instead of practicing.  I remember a teacher once said "We do yoga to live, we do not live to do yoga".  What true words. 

Believe in and be positive about your body.  Stay with it, don't give up.  At least that's what I'm telling myself these days.  After all, we should practice what we preach, right?  

May the yogi force be with you.

~Namaste~

Jessica

 

Yoga Chic? Why not!

So many of us might not admit it, but we LOVE to wear yoga pants even when we're not doing yoga.  But I say "Why not"?  They're cute, comfortable and look #ADORBS with a cute jean jacket and boots, a cute tank and tennies… the possibilities are endless!

I realized that it would be so fun to start putting together outfits to show you how our leggings can be worn outside of the studio.  I'll start posting these pics on instagram with the hashtag #yogaootd

I hope you like what we've got in store for you and I hope it inspires you to think of different ways to use your leggings!

~With much love and namaste

Jessica

BhaktiFest 2015

Namaste!  Wow, what a year!  Having just returned from BhaktiFest, I reflect on the past week that was spent singing Kirtan, camping, doing yoga and meeting friends old and new.  It was an amazing event, albeit  exhausting!  

This year we had so many new products and we were so happy and excited to see how much people loved them. We really put a lot of thought into our booth and were so excited with the results, especially our fun new dressing room cabana (which was a hit with customers). From t-shirts, tanks, dresses and malas to scarves and hand-crocheted bags, we had some really beautiful, colorful things!  In fact, I wish I could keep one of each but that might be a bit excessive, LOL!

My favorite part of the festival was having customers seek us out and say "Oh my gosh, I have been looking for you all weekend"!  They loved their purchases from last year so much, they came back to find us for more.  What a great feeling to see them again and catch up.  

It's always a blessing to be fortunate enough to attend Bhakti and meet such beautiful people and spend  5 days surrounded by positive energy, yoga and bliss.  Although it is a sad moment when the booth is packed up and we say our goodbyes, we know that we have the next one to look forward to.

And with that, we begin planning for BhaktiFest 2016!


Sri Lanka, India and Inspiration

Throughout my life, I've only ever been able to take 2 weeks off at a time.  Finally, I was able to go on a 6 week adventure with the love of my life.  Six weeks seemed like such a long time and we weren't sure how we'd do.  Would we miss home?  Would we tire of each other?  Would we get sick of being on the road?  There was only one way to find out.

We started our journey in Sri Lanka.  We didn't know what to expect.  After only being there for about a day, we realized we had fallen in love.  The people, the food, the beaches, the landscape. It was all so magical and so unexpected.  We visited numerous historical sites and the most gorgeous Buddhist temples we'd ever seen.  They were so powerful that I was overwhelmed in their presence.  The grand statues of Buddha took my breath away.  The elephant safaris were spectacular and the gratitude from the locals was overwhelming.  I was grateful that I had 21 days to soak in the magic of Sri Lanka.

After 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, we moved on to Southern India.  We had heard how different it was than Northern India but had no idea what to expect.  After basking in the lush, quaint villages of Sri Lanka, South India was colorful, crazy and exciting!  It reminded me exactly what it was that I loved about India.  Everywhere you look there are colors and sounds and smells!  You are on constant sensory overload.  I found so much inspiration in India as I had several years back when we visited the north.  India always reminds of several things:  what I'm grateful for, that living a simple life is living a happy life, that curry is amazing 3 meals a day and life is too short to wear boring black, white or grey… The children are beautiful with their stunning dark eyes.  The women are gorgeous in their colorful saris.  Even when tending the garden or farming, the women of India are the most glorious vision.  I am forever grateful for all of the lovely people I met and for all of the experiences I had.  I always come back a changed person, for the better.  After 17 days of temples, beaches, and all wonderful things India, I still look forward to another trip back.

Needless to say, 6 weeks came and went and every moment & memory was a blessing and I'm so grateful for having the opportunity to live the journey.  

India9.jpg

~Namaste

Shiva Rea- Physical fluidity and Uh!

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to participate in a special class led by Shiva Rea.  I'd never taken a class of hers in the past but always wanted to.  Wow!  All of the great things I had heard were all true.  She is an amazing teacher who led the class with love and compassion while making me sweat! I learned a lot about body fluidity and realized how stiff my body is.  I worked so hard to let go but no matter how hard I tried, I could not look at elegant as Shiva!  It gives me something to work towards.

I attended with a friend who has recently begun dealing with some very serious health issues.  Shiva knew his situation and made every effort to come over, check on him and make sure he was ok.  She is the absolutely definition of grace.  

After 3 hours of yoga, meditation and music, I left feeling like a new person.  Thank you Shiva Rea for a beautiful experience.  I look forward to practicing with you again… Om…Namaste