About the Global Mala Project

The Global Mala Project represents a worldwide event that occurs each year during the month of September at numerous locations. It is an effort by the yoga community to promote world peace by forming a symbolic mala, or beads, around the world. It unites yogis in a common bond to bring the power of meditation into action.

  1. Mala

    • The mala consists of 108 beads and represents "peace, hope and charity," according to the District of Columbia Global Mala Project. Each local yoga community uses the mala to become part of the worldwide community. The mala represents the connection of each yoga organization with 108 being a sacred number.

    108

    • The number 108, as in the number of beads in a mala, is a sacred number in the yoga community. According to the Yoga Journal, the number comes from Hinduism and is considered the number of wholeness of existence. It also is the number of sacred sites in India. It is used in many ways as part of the Global Mala Project including 108 sun salutations.

    Activities

    • Typical activities that occur at a one day local project include workshops, collective chanting and a prayer for peace. Each local event varies in its program. The San Diego event offered kids yoga demonstrations along with live music. Exhibitors offer ecological products and healthy and organic foods to sample. Meditation is part of the event along with sessions for personal development. The recurring theme of all local events is the connection to all other events and the activities focus on that theme.

    Fund Raising

    • Part of the Global Mala Project involves raising money and each local organization selects a recipient of the funds. For example, the District of Columbia Global Mala Project raises money for the Future and Earth Conservation Corps. From 2006 to 2011 it has raised nearly $35,000. In San Diego, money was raised for health education and women and children in Uganda.