The Power of Prayer Beads

In this day of constant stimulation - TV, Smartphones, Laptops, Netflix, Email, Media - finding inner quiet through meditation is harder than ever. I know I certainly have a hard time just sitting alone with my own thoughts sometimes.. but it wasn't until I deepened my yoga practice that I started to become aware of the power of meditation.

Nearly every major religion - monotheistic or not - utilizes prayer beads to aid in meditation and worship. Raised in the Catholic church, I had prayed using the Rosary many times before, but I had never really thought of the use of prayer beads in other religions (like the Hindu mala and the Islamic Misbaha). But after coming across this informative post on Lululemon's blog, I started researching malas and their healing and spiritual properties... and I was immediately struck by their similarity to the Christian Rosary of my upbringing. They have this much in common:

1. Both are strings of "prayer beads", used to aid in prayer and meditation
2. Each bead represents a repetition of certain words; the mala can be used with any mantra, whereas the Rosary focuses on a specific prayer (the Hail Mary)
3. The anatomy of the mala and the Rosary are nearly identical, in that they contain a circle of beads with a "parent" bead representing a different part of the meditation / prayer.

While there are clear differences between the two types of prayer beads, the central concept is the same - both are used to facilitate a spiritual practice.

Some may argue that meditation on your own is sufficient, and that you shouldn't need "props" to meditate, but sometimes we need a motivator or a nudge to get us there. For anyone looking for inner peace - or even a quiet moment of spirituality - I would highly recommend trying out mala beads. You don't need a specific prayer or special mantra. All you need is an intention - just like your yoga practice - and your own mantra to repeat as you meditate with the mala, repeating it at every bead. The mantra can be something as simple as "Everything is going to be okay", or "I am where I need to be", or even just a simple "Om".

Unfortunately, malas can get kind of expensive (depending where you buy them and what materials they use), but I found a great store on Etsy that offers many options for very reasonable prices. Here are my top ten picks:

The Sunshine Yogi's 

Top Ten Favorite Malas

from Malas and More on Etsy

1. Rainbow Moonstone Mala

2. Amazonite Rudraksha Mala

3. White Jade Sandalwood Mala

4. Royal Blue Banded Agate Rudraksha Mala 

5. Chalcedony Sandalwood Mala

6. Rose Quartz Rudraksha Mala

7. White Jade Sandalwood Serenity Mala

8. Labradorite Rudraksha Mala

9.  Green Goldstone Sandalwood Mala

11. Lapis Lazuli Sandalwood Mala

What's more, you can get these amazing malas with 20% off, now through December 31st! Check out Malas and More on Etsy to see my Top Ten picks and more! 

How To: Beat the Winter Blues

Have you ever noticed that you feel more tired in the winter months? Is it harder for you to get out of bed in the morning, or stay awake at night? Or maybe do you feel hungrier, craving rich, heavy foods? Welcome to vata season, as defined by the Ayurveda - characterized by cold, windy days and less sunlight.

An earlier sunset means less time for outdoor activities.

The Aryurveda

The Ayurveda is a traditional Hindu system of natural healing, and is as widely practiced in India as western medicine, having been incorporated into their healthcare system and medical infrastructure. As written in the Ayurvedic texts, there are three "states" of health that must be balanced, called doshas. They are defined as:

1. Vata (Space & Air) - this energy controls the bodily functions associated with movement, including blood circulation and breath.
2. Pitta (Fire & Water) - this energy controls the body's metabolic systems, including digestion and body temperature.
3. Kapha (Water & Earth) - this energy controls growth in the body, and includes the transportation of water to all body parts, and the immune system.

In the late fall and early winter, the vata energies are dominant. This means that our environment is cold and windy, and our bodies are prompted towards slowness, fatigue, and indulgence in heavy foods. However, we can counteract vata through what we eat and what we do.

Source: HuffPost

Balancing Vata Energy

1. Listen to your body. The body's Circadian Rhythm (the force that tells us when to go to sleep and when to wake up) functions in harmony with the natural rising and setting of the sun. When the sun goes down, it cues our body to prepare for sleep. In addition, the brain will produce less melatonin when there is less sunlight (further disrupting our Circadian Rhythms). Because there is less sunlight in winter, you will naturally want to sleep later and go to bed earlier. Honor your body by listening to these signals. You may not have as much time in the day as you're used to, but your energy will be in better alignment with your environment.

2. Wake up with Hot Lemon Water. Drinking hot lemon water in the morning will cleanse your system and and kickstart your metabolism. Try my Winter Wake-Up Tonic recipe here!

3. Start the Morning by Stretching. Unless you sleep standing up, your body is not in its natural alignment while you're asleep. When you stay in one position over a long period of time (as you do when you're sleeping), the blood "settles" into different areas of the body than it's used to. By stretching, you help recirculate your blood flow back to its normal state.

4. Eat a Protein-Dense Breakfast. Because protein digests slowly, it will keep you fuller for a longer period of time, quelling the desire to overindulge in food. Try hard-boiled eggs with turkey bacon, or this protein granola from Nature Valley.

5. Spice Things Up. By adding spice to your foods, you will add fiery pitta energy to your day, helping to balance the wintery vata. The best route here is to use peppers or spice mixes containing capsaicin (the compound that makes hot peppers hot). Capsaicin can be found in chili peppers, cayenne peppers, and tabasco peppers, and has been shown to contain antioxidants and aid in weight loss. What's more, the burning sensation in your mouth might help you forget about the cold outside!
In addition, spicy and energizing scents such as lemon, grapefruit, orange, and cinnamon will help revitalize you in the morning. Try The Body Shop's Total Energy Essential Oil or Golden Earth's Miracle Energy 2nd Chakra to energize yourself in the morning.

6. Create Warmth. In the winter when our biggest urge is to go back to bed and hibernate, it is crucial that we create warmth in our bodies by moving, whether it be through a quick run or a bikram yoga class.

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Keep in mind that like all seasons, winter is a transient phase. Spring always comes again!