✨ THE SOMATIC PYRAMID ✨

Modern science is only beginning to affirm what the Sikh Gurus revealed over five centuries ago — that the body carries memory, that healing is a deeply relational process, and that the nervous system is the gateway to peace, clarity, and liberation.
Through the lenses of Polyvagal Theory, Neuroscience, Somatic Psychology, Chronobiology, and Psychophysiology, the sacred practices of Sikhi — from Simran to Seva, from Sangat to Raag — emerge not only as acts of devotion, but as biologically intelligent tools for trauma resolution, stress regulation, and profound inner coherence. This is where science meets spirituality, and where Sikh wisdom leads the way forward. This is where science finally catches up with Sikhi.

Dr. Karen Singh’s pioneering integration of Sikh spiritual practice and modern scientific insight represents the first framework of its kind in the world. This innovative model offers a transformative pathway to:

• Equip health and wellness practitioners with nervous system–informed tools rooted in Sikh wisdom
• Support families in healing intergenerational patterns through embodied connection
• Restore balance and resilience to the nervous system using time-honoured practices validated by science
• Inspire a new generation of Sikhs to heal trauma, regulate health, and live in alignment with the principle of Chardi Kala — ever-rising spirit and optimism

WHY THIS PYRAMID MATTERS
In every healing journey; whether you’re healing trauma, navigating anxiety, or returning home to yourself — you must ascend through Somatic Safety → Emotional Regulation → Soul Unity.
The Sikh Gurus built this path into our daily practice.
Modern neuroscience now proves why it works.
This pyramid becomes the core of all nervous-system-informed education, women’s circles, trauma recovery, and mind-body medicine.

1. SOMATIC SAFETY
​Foundational regulation for the body. Where all healing begins.
Practices: Matha Tek, Sukhasan, Breathwork, Seva, Floor Sitting
This layer is about creating a sense of physical safety in the body through posture, breath, repetition, and grounding. In trauma healing, the body must first be reassured that it is not in danger before higher functions like learning, empathy, or joy can be accessed.

🌱 Science Behind the Practices:

• Matha Tek (bowing) flexes the spine and stimulates the ventral vagus nerve, the part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for calm and rest.
• Sukhasan (cross-legged floor sitting) activates the pelvic floor, engages the core stabilisers, and signals grounding.
• Conscious breathwork regulates the heart rate, cortisol, and interoception, allowing the body to shift from fight/flight into safety.
• These are bottom-up regulation techniques, meaning they start in the body and send signals of safety to the brain.

​“We cannot think our way into safety. We must feel it in our bodies first.” — Dr. Karen Singh

2. EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Creating inner coherence through rhythm, sound, and sacred story.
Practices: Simran, Kirtan, Ardaas, Daily Paath, Chardi Kala Reflection
Once the body feels safe, the nervous system becomes ready to process emotions — such as fear, grief, anger, longing, and joy. This tier supports limbic system regulation through sound, language, rhythm, and prayer.

🧠 Science Behind the Practices:

• Simran (Waheguru mantra) creates neural resonance and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system through the rhythmic exhalation.
• Kirtan (sacred music) engages the limbic brain, allowing for safe emotional release and integration. Music is known to reduce amygdala activity (fear center).
• Ardaas (spoken prayer) creates a shift from hyperarousal to surrender, moving the person from helplessness to meaning.
• These practices build affective regulation, allowing one to tolerate big emotions without becoming dysregulated.

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“We cannot regulate emotion without rhythm. Kirtan and Simran are not just sacred acts — they’re nervous system medicine.” — Dr. Karen Singh

3. TRANSCENDENCE & SOUL UNITY
The crown of healing — beyond self, into oneness and belonging.
Practices: Sangat, Raag (musical raags), Ik Onkar, Sewa for others
This layer moves us beyond the self, beyond individual healing, into the realm of collective safety, ancestral resonance, and spiritual integration. It’s where identity transforms into unity, where one feels deeply connected to Waheguru and to humanity.

✨ Science Behind the Practices:

• Sangat (spiritual community) activates the social engagement system, enabling deep co-regulation — the cornerstone of healing from relational trauma.
• Raag (musical scale) therapy has shown powerful effects on EEG brainwave patterns, leading to spiritual transcendence, even reducing depression and PTSD symptoms.
• Ik Onkar (Oneness meditation) deactivates the default mode network (DMN), reducing ego identification and increasing compassion and spiritual awareness.
• These are top-down regulation strategies — meaning they begin in the realm of meaning and spiritual truth, then cascade down to regulate the nervous system.​

“Healing becomes liberation when we remember we are never alone. Oneness is the deepest safety.” — Dr. Karen Singh

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