At AlohaHP, we believe in WholePerson development, nurturing not only professional skills but also mental, emotional, and energetic well-being. This week, we want to introduce you to a powerful practice that can boost your vitality and enhance your mind—Kirtan Kriya.
Kirtan Kriya is a simple yet profound meditation that involves mantra chanting, tapping the thumb to each fingertip (similar to acupressure), and visualizing white light entering your crown. Practicing for just 11 minutes a day over 40 days can lead to remarkable benefits.
As Dr. Helen Lavretsky, a renowned researcher, explains: “Before I started doing these studies, the usual perception of yoga was that it’s good for stress reduction. Nobody thought of yoga as being a brain-fitness exercise that could lead to better plasticity.” Recent research from the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior confirms that consistent yoga and meditation practice, like Kirtan Kriya, boosts brainpower, enhances neuroplasticity, and improves memory function.
How Kirtan Kriya Works
Kirtan Kriya combines sound, breath, and touch to stimulate the brain and nervous system. During the practice, you chant the sounds “Sa, Ta, Na, Ma” while tapping the thumb to each of your fingers in sequence:
- Sa (birth): Thumb to index finger
- Ta (life): Thumb to middle finger
- Na (death): Thumb to ring finger
- Ma (rebirth): Thumb to little finger
In addition to the chanting and hand movements, Kirtan Kriya encourages you to visualize white light entering your crown chakra (the top of your head) and exiting through the center of your forehead. This visualization, combined with the mantra and mudras, helps to cleanse and re-energize your mind and body.
The Benefits of Daily Practice
- Improves Cognitive Function: Regular practice has been shown to improve memory, focus, and overall brain function. This is largely due to its ability to enhance neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to form new connections and improve learning.
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Kirtan Kriya’s rhythmic chanting and acupressure-like hand movements help calm the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety levels. Many practitioners report feeling a greater sense of peace and emotional balance after completing the 40-day practice.
- Increases Emotional Well-being: By focusing on positive visualization and creating a daily routine, Kirtan Kriya helps elevate your mood and create a sense of emotional resilience. This practice encourages self-reflection and self-compassion, which contributes to overall well-being.
- Spiritual Connection and Clarity: The visualization of white light through the crown chakra connects you to a higher sense of consciousness, offering clarity and insight into your life. Many experience heightened intuition and a deep sense of purpose during this practice.
At AlohaHP, we place exceptional humans with exceptional companies. Becoming an exceptional human starts with recognizing the WholePerson. What we ingest mentally, emotionally, and physically shapes who we are moment by moment.
Try It for Yourself
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of Kirtan Kriya, try practicing it for 11 minutes a day for 40 days. You can find beautiful guided versions of the Kirtan Kriya meditation, such as Nirinjan Kaur’s version on Spotify, to support your practice.
Track your progress over the next 40 days, and observe the positive shifts in your mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall sense of well-being. Kirtan Kriya offers a simple yet profound way to enhance brain function, reduce stress, and connect deeply with yourself.
Here’s to your growth in mind, body, and energy!
