Crystal Visions
A short guide to affirmations, manifestations, intentions, and more.
A walk through our office reveals a lot of things that make ALO ALO. There’s matcha and cold brew on tap, brewed coffee, and an espresso machine (we run on caffeine), cozy blankets, comfy couches, sweatsuit-clad employees, a gym, a yoga studio, small dogs, large dogs, in-between dogs… and crystals. Lots, and lots, of crystals.
Rose Quartz glitters on our tables, Citrine stands proud on our shelves, chunks of Amethyst adorn our corners, and when we launched the Bag Collection in Fall 2025, each bag came with an ALO Intention Crystal. And for us, crystals are more than just pretty decorations. Instead, we see them as physical representation of our belief in setting intentions, and a way to take this traditional, yogic practice off the mat and into your day. They’re a tangible reminder of the power of thought, and that the first step in becoming your best self is envisioning who you want to be and how you want to live. In short, crystals can take what you want for yourself and make it into something physical that you can see, touch, and hold in your hand.
Full disclosure: Getting into how crystals work, and if they work at all, is murky territory, but for a lot of successful people, crystals are (or are reported to be) an important piece of their manifestation toolkit. Still, if you’re just beginning to be interested in crystals, the practice can feel kind of confusing. Where do you start?
Well, we got you. I consider myself a crystal girlie. A quick inventory of what’s in my bag includes no less than 10 lip products and five crystals (honestly, kind of a low number for me). I’ve read more books that I can count about crystals (and even an oracle deck or two), so I’d like to think I know my stuff, but I also consulted a Los Angeles-based sound and breathwork practitioner Allison Bagg, who frequently works with crystals, to answer these FAQs.
How do you choose a crystal?
There’s no right or wrong way to choose a crystal. It really all just comes down to intuition and—our favorite word again—intention. Different crystals are associated with different energies, characteristics, and meaning (Judy Hall’s The Crystal Bible series is a great resource for getting acquainted with the endless varieties and their associations). You can choose your crystal based on these energies, and what you want to bring more of into your life. You can also choose your crystals simply by going off of which ones are most visually and physically appealing to you. Do you like the way it looks, or the way it feels when you hold it in your hand? Then that might be the one for you. “In general, be careful where you source from and do your research!” Bagg says. “Most importantly, trust your intuition! In a crystal shop, I like to feel for heat and follow my curiosity. It's a great exercise in surrender and trust.”
How do you use crystals?
Pretty much however you want! Tuck them in (or hang them from) your purse or pocket, and tuck them in places you frequent around your home and workplace. I have Smoky Quartz on my desk (writers need grounding, or else we’ll spend the whole day coming up with ideas and never write a word), I tuck Obsidian into my pocket every time I fly, and I’ve weathered many a break-up or disappointment falling asleep with a Rose Quartz in my palm or tucked under my pillow.
When I have them around, they serve as little reminders to quiet my mind (where worries, fears, and negative thoughts have been known to congregate and party all night) and focus on what I want, instead of getting distracted by what I don’t.
Crystals can bring an added element of beauty to yoga and meditation practices as well. “Crystals can act as gentle anchors for intention and awareness. In yoga or meditation, they give the mind something tangible to rest on, which can help soften mental chatter and support a deeper sense of embodiment,” Bagg explains. “From a nervous system perspective, having a physical object, especially something cool, weighted, and natural, can enhance a sense of safety and grounding. Whether placed on the body, held in the hand, or simply nearby, crystals can subtly support focus, ritual, and continuity in a practice. They don’t replace breath, presence, or discipline, but they can help create an environment that makes those states more accessible.”
How do you care for crystals?
When you first get a crystal, you’ll want to clear away the old energy it's picked up and program it with your own. Once again, cleansing crystals is an intuitive practice, and you can do what feels right to you. Running water, smoke, moonlight, and sunlight are also common cleansing mechanisms. “I keep my crystal care simple and intuitive,” Bagg says. “Sometimes I cleanse them with smoke (sage or palo santo), sometimes with sound (tuning forks or chimes), sometimes by letting them rest in moonlight or sunlight, depending on the stone.”
Then, “program” the crystal with the intention, thought, vibration, or manifestation you want it to represent to you. This is often an extension of the meaning that is associated with the crystal, but it doesn’t have to be. You can create a small ritual for this, or simply hold the crystal while visualizing what you want it to help you achieve.
From there, you can recleanse and reprogram the crystal as often as you need or want to. “The most important part of care is intention and attention,” Bagg explains. “Checking in, noticing when a crystal feels “heavy” or when it’s time to reset the relationship. I like this idea that crystals are never really ours. We get to shepherd them along the path, and then when the information has been received or its work is done, they disappear! Sometimes this means feeling whether it's time to gift a crystal to someone else. I love how they gently invite us into non-attachment and letting go.”
What are good crystals to start with?
For an ideal crystal starter pack, Bagg recommends the following stones—many of which are also offered as ALO Intention Crystals.
Clear Quartz: “A foundational stone for clarity and amplification. It’s adaptable and helps people tune into their own intentions rather than relying on external sources.”
Black Tourmaline or Smoky Quartz: “For grounding and energetic boundaries, especially helpful for sensitive people or anyone navigating a lot of external stimulation. Dark stones are said to absorb negative energy.”
Rose Quartz: “My fav! Known for self-love, compassion, softness, and heart-centered awareness. A gentle and sweet energy.”
Amethyst: “For calming the mind and supporting rest, intuition, and meditation, especially in the evening or before sleep.”
Citrine: “A stone for abundance. I used to keep one in my wallet :) Be careful, though, a lot of cheap crystal stones will sell burnt Amethyst as Citrine, so make sure to find an honest seller.”
Bonus points for Labradorite: “These stones sometimes have a shimmery green, blue or purple flash. I’ve heard that they hold the energy of the Northern Lights. They are known for enhancing intuition, protection, and transformation.”
