| Kriya yoga is an ancient system to harmonize the | | | | senses) |
| existing energies within the individual. Kriya yoga is all | | | | 2. Dharana (Spontaneous One-pointed ness) |
| about spontaneity and the process does not involve | | | | 3. Dhyana (Establishing into the state of spontaneity) |
| unnecessary force and struggle in the practice. As a | | | | Tools of Kriya yoga |
| process Kriya yoga brings one-pointedness very | | | | 1. Asana (Hatha yogic poses) |
| naturally by harmonizing the mental and the emotional | | | | 2. Pranayama (Hatha yogic breathing) |
| energies. It helps in converging all the energies in | | | | 3. Mudra ( Psychic gestures) |
| individual into a bindu. This is the gateway of shoonya | | | | 4. Bandha (psychic locks) |
| and higher states of dhyana. State of bindu is beyond | | | | 5. Mantra (psychic sound vibration) |
| the state of vikshepa i.e. dissipation. | | | | 6. Psychic passage awareness |
| Kriya yoga implies techniques of various mudras | | | | There are twenty main kriyas which are to be |
| (psycho-physical gestures), bandhas (Psychic locks) | | | | followed in a prescribed sequence for a prescribed |
| and asanas (postures). Consciousness of the sadhaka | | | | number of rounds and duration to experience the |
| rotates through the fixed psychic paths. The system | | | | desired effects. |
| of Kriya yoga has similarities with tai chi chuan; the | | | | Groundwork |
| dynamic meditation system of Chinese. Both utilize | | | | Besides the above techniques and the underlying |
| perfect harmony and channelization of physical, pranic | | | | principles there are certain points which should be |
| (vital energy) and mental energies with heightened | | | | observed consistently. For example food ideally should |
| awareness. | | | | be nourishing and full of life. It should be light and |
| Kriya yoga is designed to transform tamas into | | | | refreshing which awakens the mind, body and the soul. |
| sattva. It brings dynamic relaxation. Swami | | | | Ideally vegetarian diet is most welcome for this |
| Satyananda says in his book that it is a system of | | | | discipline. It should be taken at right time in right quantity. |
| yogic alchemy. It is all about aligning the internal | | | | In case of any imbalance in the body and mind like |
| energies which results in creating an individual a | | | | some illnesses or any serious mental upheavals, one |
| ‘vibrant whole’. The entire system of Kriya | | | | should not attempt Kriya yoga. To begin the journey of |
| yoga is against any suppression but providing a | | | | Kriya yoga it is of utmost importance that one should |
| positive direction to already exiting individual energies. | | | | have the understanding of yogic process and |
| This process brings the awareness of the practitioner | | | | techniques which are included in the six tools of Kriya |
| to the proximity of subtle perception; to the realm | | | | yoga. |
| which is vibrant substratum of our being. Therefore the | | | | Before starting the kriyas it is advisable to perform a |
| whole system is like a philosopher’s stone which | | | | few rounds of sun salutation and shavasana. |
| can transmute the being. The loss of vitality in nature is | | | | For centuries the system of Kriya yoga kept evolving |
| because of dissipation of energy. Kriya yoga opens up | | | | through the tradition of direct teaching of guru to |
| one self to the immensely creative and vibrant world | | | | disciples and is very relevant in the modern age for the |
| of energies. | | | | modern mind is exhausted and fatigued because of |
| The techniques of Kriya yoga follow the steps of: | | | | dissipation and improper utilization of mental and |
| 1. Pratyahara (withdrawal of awareness from | | | | emotional energies. |