Talisman: An object with magic powers, protective qualities, that brings good luck. I feel like I have so many of these sacred objects, items invested with special energy by their makers or by my teachers, or given their power by way of what they represent, what they mean to me. The one I picked to share for this prompt is my sandalwood mala. I got it specifically to use during yoga teacher training, a simple solid string of beads. We would start each day chanting a Ganesh mantra together, Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha, 108 times counted using my mala. Now I wear it whenever I need an extra dose of confidence, something to help me feel grounded and strong. It gives me a sense of having a whole tribe, an entire lineage behind me. Usually I wrap it around my wrist, and when I’m not wearing it the Buddha on my meditation shrine wears it for me.