Kriya Yoga is described by its practitioners as the ancient Yoga system revived in modern times by Mahavatar Babaji through his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, c. 1861. To Westerners, it was brought into popular awareness through Paramahansa Yogananda's book Autobiography of a Yogi[1] and through Yogananda's introductions of the practice since 1920. The system consists of a number of levels of Pranayama based on techniques that are intended to rapidly accelerate spiritual development[1] and engender a profound state of tranquility and God-communion.[2]
In the ancient text on yoga called the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Patanjali gives a description of Kriya Yoga in the second chapter.[3] Yogananda wrote that Patanjali refers to the Kriya technique when he wrote in the Yoga Sutras II:49: Liberation can be attained by that pranayama which is accomplished by disjoining the course of inspiration and expiration.[4]
In modern times what has been described as Kriya Yoga was brought into popular awareness through Paramahansa Yogananda's book Autobiography of a Yogi[1] and through Yogananda's introductions of the practice since 1920. The system consists of a number of levels of Pranayama based on techniques that are intended to rapidly accelerate spiritual development[1] and engender a profound state of tranquility and God-communion.[5] This modern description differs from the original description of Patanjali. Yogananda attributes his description of Kriya Yoga to his lineage of gurus, deriving it via Yukteswar Giri and his master Lahiri Mahasaya, from Mahavatar Babaji (fl. 1860s). The latter is reported to have introduced the concept as essentially identical to the Raja Yoga of Patanjali and the concept of Yoga as described in the Bhagavad Gita.[6]
Kriya Yoga is a science that uses the flow of breaths to oxygenate the body and make it fit for meditation. Signifying action, kriya yoga is a meditation technique of energy control, also called Pranayama. This ancient technique was revived in India in 1861.It was passed on by the great yogi Mahavatar Babaji to his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya, in the Himalayas.
Swami Yogananda became the leader of modern kriya yoga that is a concentrated approach to self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment. It is a time-tested method to realize the innate spiritual nature, develop rational thinking, achieve emotional balance, promote physical health and live a life of purpose.
Influences on the mind -body- soul
The all pervading power of the life-force or prana flowing through the body and the influence of kriya yoga in balancing this energy is lucidly explained in The Bhagawad Gita by Lord Krishna. He says, "offering inhaling breath into the outgoing breath, and offering the outgoing breath into the inhaling breath, the yogi neutralizes both the breaths. When he does so, the yogi releases the life force from the heart and brings it under his control."
Sage Patanjali drawing on the goodness of this form of yoga says, "Kriya yoga consists of body discipline, mental control and meditation. Liberation can be accomplished by that pranayama which is attained by disjoining the course of inspiration and expiration".
The practice of Kriya yoga ensures growth on a physical, mental and spiritual level, bringing about a transformation. The brain cells are energized and rejuvenated, enhancing memory power. Control over the emotions is a crucial outcome of kriya yoga, achieved by the regulation of the neurons in the nerves. A sincere practice of kriya yoga clears the pathway leading to the divine power within.
1.Energization Exercises: A series of psychophysical exercises developed by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1916 to prepare the body for meditation. Regular practice promotes mental and physical relaxation and develops dynamic will power. Making use of the breath, life force, and concentrated attention, the technique enables one to draw abundant energy consciously into the body, purifying and strengthening all the body parts systematically in turn. The Energization Exercises, which take about fifteen minutes to perform, are one of the most effective means of eliminating stress and nervous tension. Practicing them prior to meditation is a great help in entering a calm, interiorized state of awareness.
2. Hong-Sau Technique of Concentration helps to develop one's latent powers of concentration. Through practice of this technique one learns to withdraw thought and energy from outward distractions so that they may be focused on any goal to be achieved or problem to be solved. Or one may direct that concentrated attention toward realizing the Divine Consciousness within.
3. Aum Technique of Meditation shows one how to use the power of concentration in the highest way to discover and develop the divine qualities of one's own true Self. This ancient method teaches how to experience the all-pervading Divine Presence as Aum, the Word or Holy Ghost that underlies and sustains all creation. The technique expands the awareness beyond limitations of body and mind to the joyous realization of one's infinite potential.
4. Kriya Yoga Technique Kriya is an advanced Raja Yoga technique of pranayama (life-energy control). Kriya reinforces and revitalizes subtle currents of life energy (prana) in the spine and brain. The ancient seers of India (rishis) perceived the brain and spine as the tree of life. Out of the subtle cerebrospinal centers of life and consciousness (chakras) flow the energies that enliven all the nerves and every organ and tissue of the body. The yogis discovered that by revolving the life current continuously up and down the spine by the special technique of Kriya Yoga, it is possible to greatly accelerate one's spiritual evolution and awareness.
The chakras in Kriya Yogi meditationCorrect practice of Kriya Yoga enables the normal activities of the heart and lungs and nervous system to slow down naturally, producing deep inner stillness of body and mind and freeing the attention from the usual turbulence of thoughts, emotions, and sensory perceptions. In the clarity of that inner stillness, one comes to experience a deepening interior peace and attunement with one's soul and with God.
Effects on Life
Prana shakti (life force) flows from the top to the bottom, then inversely from the bottom to the top, of the spine. In this way all the chakras (centres) are touched by life force and by vacuum. The first and second techniques are called pranam and correspond to Yama in Patanjala’s Yoga Sutra. Yama means to obtain inner control or sâmyam. Nothing can be controlled from without because the root is found in our spine. This is why we during the practice of Kriya Yoga bend the spine forward allowing the magnetic life force to flow in the spinal cord. The vacuum is always at the top of our body, this is why we retain equilibrium. So when we bend our spine, the vacuum magnetizes the spine.
Shûnya dhaur bhavet prâna: The vacuum element is our life force. When the vacuum leaves the body, life also leaves.
By practicing Kriya Yoga, we create an inner fire called tapa agni. In the same way that the outer fire, drabya agni, burns whatever we put into it, the inner fire, tapa agni, allows the practitioner to burn his karmas, the results of his past actions, his thoughts as well as all his mental or psychological problems.
Kriyas can be broadly categorized as: Yogic Kriya, Pranic movements Kriya, Mystical Consciousness Kriya, Physiological Kriya, Extra-sensory Kriya and Psychic Kriya. More details about these are available on the page of: Symptoms of Kundalini Awakening
Disclaimer For Yoga Exercise:
The yoga exercises depicted above in the line diagrams are only a graphic representation for the understanding of the asanas or exercise. Please do not attempt to practise these without proper guidance from a trained Yoga instructor as these exercises can cause physical disability when done incorrectly.
Understanding Kriya Yoga
Disclaimer For Yoga Exercise:
The yoga exercises depicted above in the line diagrams are only a graphic representation for the understanding of the asanas or exercise. Please do not attempt to practise these without proper guidance from a trained Yoga instructor as these exercises can cause physical disability when done incorrectly.
