Having and maintaining a good memory is an important ingredient that all of us need and want. Right? Many of us get concerned when forgetfulness happens to us or to those close to us. This is particularly troublesome as we age and especially if we have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Try the 12-minute meditation called Kirtan Kriya.
Here is an inspiring video with research to prove that there are easy things we can do for memory improvement with meditation.
Along with the conventional wisdom of good nutrition, supplements and mental and physical exercise, Dharma Singh Khalsa, MD says that meditation is key. A research study is reviewed that shows increases in brain development for memory, concentration and focus using a simple 12-minute meditation, including a yoga mudra.
The Kirtan Kriya – the Sa Ta Na Ma 12 minute meditation for memory is from the Kundalini yoga tradition. To get measurable results, it is done daily for only 8 weeks. But, who would want to stop there. Not me!
The Sa Ta Na Ma meditation technique also stops the mental chatter to bring about a clear mind. It’s calming too.
This NY Times article Yoga May Be Good for the Brain was published June 1, 2016 . It discusses a study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in April 2016.
A combination of 1 hour of weekly yoga exercise and a daily 15-minute Kirtan Kriya Meditation is recommended to help with memory improvement, concentration and mood improvement (depression). Improvements were also made in “visuospatial memory, a type of remembering that is important for balance, depth perception and the ability to recognize objects and navigate the world”. It was compared to another highly regarded brain training program practiced that was practiced for 1 hour weekly with 15 minutes of daily memory exercises.
The yoga + meditation group “topped the benefits of the brain training group” showing statistically significant results.
More Resources…
- Excellent info & video on the 12 minute meditation to improve memory – Sa Ta Na Ma meditation – Kirtan Kriya.
- Written instructions on exactly how to do the Sa Ta Na Ma (Kirtan Kriya) meditation for improving memory.
- Link to relevant research from UCLA and University of Pennsylvania on the Sa Ta Na Ma meditation for improving memory as reported in 2010 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
- Get an audio recording that will help you practice the Sa Ta Na Ma meditation with the correct timing.
Sa Ta Na Ma
Kirtan Kriya MeditationClick HERE to buy this downloadable digital album
(MP3, AAC, M4A)$7.99
“union” or “joining”. Although there are several branches of yoga (Raja, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and others) Hatha yoga refers to achieving the union of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves through the practice of physical postures and special breathing techniques. For those interested, yoga can go beyond the physical exercises to incorporate dietary recommendations, meditation, service to others, philosophy, and moral and ethical guidelines for living. Yoga is neither a sport nor religion.