"Mala Collective's pieces and tools are meant to support you in starting, deepening, or returning when you fall away from your practice," said Wray. "In all honesty, you don't need any products to have a meditation practice. All you need is your breath. But if you find that a mala helps to hold your focus, or the crystals help you set an intention, and the cushions help inspire you to take a seat — then that's what we are there for."
Start an evening ritual to prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep. First, place an amethyst crystal by your bed to deflect troublesome dreams, then put some lavender in your pillowcase to create a calming aroma. Finally, turn off all your electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime. A good night’s sleep will recharge your body and give you plenty of energy throughout the following day.
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MALA COLLECTIVE Amethyst Crystal Set
We all know the book nook, but your kids’ room might be missing another important spot: a meditation corner. Given the right tools, busy young minds can find their zen—and that’s where Little Buddhi by Mala Collective comes in. “We’re approaching mindfulness with kids as something that’s meant to be fun and inspiring,” says the company’s founder and CEO, Ashley Wray.
The assortment of ultrasoft cotton-filled cushions and blankets is intended to encourage little ones, ages 2 to 9, to stay grounded and connect to their emotions. “Too often a time-out or time alone is associated with punishment. This is the opposite, helping kids find themselves through joy and color,” says Wray. Having a dedicated place to sit and breathe will help guide kids toward a practice. Here’s how to get them in the om zone.
Not only are they gorgeous to wear, but these beaded necklaces have a higher function when strung with 108 beads, a sacred number. While your fingers roll over each bead, it helps you keep count of the 108 times you silently recite a mantra such as “Sat Nam” (I am truth) or an uplifting phrase, like “I am whole and complete.” The combination of doing both together keeps the mind and body occupied, while you fall into a quiet space beyond habitual thinking patterns. I have a beautiful one from Mala Collective with howlite stones, which have inherent calming properties.
Holiday Gifts that you can give all of those powerful and inspiring women in your life!
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MALA COLLECTIVE Natural Chindi Meditation Sit Set
Remind yourself it’s temporary and count blessings where you can. Once you know what you’re feeling and why, remind yourself the situation isn’t forever. It’s common when you have overwhelming feelings to catastrophize and engage in all-or-nothing thinking.
“I feel like the holidays have been canceled…. My kids might be too old for this next year.”
Question this thinking when it pops up and know that you’re not abandoning your holiday traditions forever; you’re just setting some rituals aside for 2020.
There has never been a better time to start a gratitude journal, says meditation teacher Ashley Wray, founder of the Mala Collective. Starting your morning by listing at least three things you’re grateful for is a science-backed way to shift your mindset for the day.
- Ashley Wray, founder of Mala Collective
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“The Mala Collective necklaces are truly spectacular. The malas—strings of beads traditionally used for meditation—are hand-knotted with gemstones like labradorite or amazonite, and they’re all handmade in Bali by female artisans. The brand’s mission is to inspire ‘mindful evolution,’ and they offer free guided meditations on their site, which has also taught me a lot about the true purpose of malas in meditation.” —Molly Kalinsky, manager, brand partnerships & marketing
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MALA COLLECTIVE I Am Whole Mala
When you first start meditating it can feel really uncomfortable to sit in silence without distractions, like your phone, around. One minute can feel like hours.
For this reason, Wray suggests using a tool to help you focus on your meditation, especially when your mind wanders. She suggests mala beads -- prayer beads that some people use to meditate -- for beginners because it gives you something tactile to focus on.
"The Mala beads have helped me to not look at my phone as much [and ignore other distractions.] It's just an easy focal point that is good for beginners to help with both the energy and attention and the timing," Ashley Wray - Founder of Mala Collective.
Making more time for yourself means creating actual space in your home to do so. Hand-crafted in India with 100 percent recycled cotton, these meditations cushions will be a physical (and best aesthetically pleasing) reminder to take a second, get comfortable, and your sit with your thoughts.
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Is there really any greater gift than the gift of peace? Mala Collective’s meditation cushions are handmade in India and are the perfect height to support your hips and knees while sitting in silence.
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MALA COLLECTIVE Macramé Meditation Sit Set
