Pittra Kriya is a deeply restorative and emotionally cleansing practice from the Kundalini Yoga tradition. It is especially powerful for relieving stress, balancing the nervous system, and restoring vitality after grief, trauma, or emotional stagnation.

“If you can spare 33 minutes in your life to do this kriya, you can eat up your own stress.”

This kriya unfolds in three distinct yet interconnected parts:

1. The first exercise focuses on stimulating the glandular system, particularly affecting the liver, a vital organ for detoxification and emotional processing. It calms the internal system and lays the foundation for emotional release.

2. The second exercise is designed to balance the chakras, harmonizing the energy centers and creating emotional and energetic alignment.

3. The third exercise brings equilibrium to the autonomic nervous system, integrating the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches—the systems responsible for our fight-or-flight and rest-and-digest responses.

This kriya has ancient roots in India, particularly in rituals surrounding grief and emotional release. Traditionally, when someone lost a loved one or endured deep sorrow, they would stand in a sacred river, performing the first movement—scooping and tossing water over the shoulder. Rivers symbolized life’s flow, purification, and renewal. The act wasn’t just symbolic—it was neurologically sound. The yogis understood that stress can “freeze” the brain, trapping us in a loop of pain or trauma. This kriya was a method to reset the brain, allowing the individual to begin moving forward again.

Many people miss the full benefit because they stop too soon. It is recommended to commit to a 40-day sadhana to let the kriya fully unfold its transformative potential.

Traditionally, the kriya was linked to Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) and the worship of the Sun, a symbol of the inner light, spirit, and source of life. For many, this gave the practice deeper meaning beyond technique. Even if you perform this kriya without a river, without rituals, and without external belief, only with trust in your own Infinite Self, it still works. It awakens something real, powerful, and healing.

Whether you’re grieving, overwhelmed, or simply in need of a reset, Pittra Kriya is a powerful tool to reconnect with your resilience, cleanse emotional burdens, and emerge lighter, clearer, and more alive.