If you meditate regularly or practice yoga, you've probably come across mala beads before.

Mala beads are a type of prayer beads. Prayer beads have been used for centuries by a range of religions, from Hinduism to Catholicism.

Today, there sometimes used as a mindfulness aid without any religious affiliation. They traditionally include 108 beads in addition to a guru bead, which is larger than the rest of the beads and often has a tassel.

Mala beads have the purpose of keeping you focused during meditation.  The repetitive movement of your fingers across the beads helps ground you.

Touching each bead as you say a mantra helps you keep track of how many times you have repeated the mantra.