A mala is a simple, sacred and effective meditative tool for prayer and reflection. In fact, it was during my kundalini yoga teacher training where I became inspired to create my own mala, which would eventually lead me to create my first jewelry collection. Traditionally consisting of 108 beads, malas are a great tool to amplify intention, reduce stress and enhance wisdom, patience and health.

 So why the number 108? The number 108 is an auspicious and spiritually significant number. Here are some reasons why:

 1. Chakras are the intersections of energy lines in the body, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines that converge to form the heart chakra. One of these lines, the sushumna, leads to the crown chakra, which is said to be the path to self-realization and enlightenment.

 2. In the Hindu faith, there are 108 Upanishads, or texts of wisdom from the ancient sages.

 3. There are said to be 108 feelings, 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present and 36 related to the future

 4. From the numerological standpoint: 1 stands for God or Higher Truth, 0 stands for completeness in spiritual practice and 8 stands for infinity.

 5. In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.

 6. The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance from the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun.