This childhood punishment actually energises the brain

This scene from the 2006 local documentary Kopi O Khau Sikit Kurang Manis shows young detainees being forced to do ear squats by the police. Little do they know they are also stimulating their thinking skills with this exercise. — Handout

Any naughty kid who attended a local primary school would be familiar with ketuk ketampi, also known as ear squats, or as the Indians call it, thoppukaranam.

It’s one of the punishments meted out to children who misbehave, score poorly in exams, or simply do not conform to rules set by parents and teachers.

Last year (2024), a video on a social media platform captured two young women in Kelantan performing ear squats at the side of the road, supposedly after they were caught riding their motorcycle through a police barricade without wearing their helmets.

The police officers were praised for handing out this punishment to youth who flouted traffic regulations, instead of giving them a summons.

Similarly, on Jan 1 (2025), another video of 20-odd teenagers doing ketuk ketampi in Kuala Lumpur went viral.

These teens were caught playing with basikal lajak (modified bicycles that typically do not have brakes or lights, to add to the dangerous thrill for its rider) by traffic policemen during an operation.

From prayer to punishment

Considered an ancient Indian practice, ear squats are traditionally carried out while offering prayers, especially in South Indian temples.

How this practice became a form of punishment for schoolchildren in Asia is unclear, but unbeknownst to many, this exercise can apparently recharge and energise brain cells.

First popularised by Master Choa Kok Sui in his book SuperBrain Yoga, the technique works on the functioning of the brain and boosts cognitive clarity.

It combines breathing patterns and acupressure to restore the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

Applying pressure on the earlobes apparently stimulates nerves in the brain, head and face.

Choa is credited with the development of an energy healing system using prana or qi – the life force that keeps the body alive – more effectively and efficiently.

Born in Cebu, the Philippines, and raised in a multi-faith environment, he trained as a chemical engineer and was a successful businessman.

However, he has been inclined to paranormal and spiritual matters since the tender age of 12.

He spent more than 30 years researching and studying literature and books on esoteric sciences, examining and sorting through their various healing techniques.

This resulted in the eventual development of the concepts, principles, techniques and practical applications of his system, now widely known as Pranic Healing.

In his 2005 book, Choa provides scientific studies on the exercise he referred to as superbrain yoga.

These studies show dramatic improvements in children and adults diagnosed with learning difficulties, poor memory, autism, attention deficit disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.

Realising the benefits of this simple activity, many countries have embraced and adopted it as an exercise.

Maximising brain power

A May 2024 study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine found that the attention span of adolescent males improved significantly on a test after doing 14 ear squats daily, six days a week, for a month.

The teenagers, aged between 14 and 16, were given a test item consisting of the letters “d” and “p” with one to four dashes, arranged either individually or in pairs above and below the letter.

The subjects had to scan across each line to identify and cross out each “d” with two dashes.

A month later, they were reassessed and results showed they scored much higher after doing superbrain yoga.

In another study on medical students, superbrain yoga had a positive impact on attention control and working memory when compared to controls doing simple squat exercises.

One neurosurgeon from India even claimed he does ear squats 20 times before going into the operation theatre to stay alert and maximise his brain power while performing surgery.

However, the benefits of this exercise are temporary if you do not perform it regularly.

Guess I wasn’t subjected to this punishment enough during my childhood, which explains the occasional memory lapses and diminished intellectual capacity!

Still, it’s never too late to supercharge my brain (and yours) at any age.

So, let’s subject ourselves to this “punishment” and relive our childhood for the benefit of our thinking abilities.

Revathi Murugappan is a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.