Kriya Yoga is a popular form of Indian yogic practice. It is a type of meditation that helps to generate the spiritual feeling within a performer. A book by Paramhansa Yogananda, popular as ‘autobiography of a Yogi’ reveals the purpose of kriya yoga as being the union with the supreme Lord. To put it simply, kriya yoga is a form of pranayama or meditation. Therefore, you may also consider kriya yoga being a path towards self-control.
Kriya yoga is a comparatively new type of yoga as it has been explored in the mid-nineteenth century only. Although many expert yog gurus refer to kriya yoga in ancient Indian scriptures, it was revived by Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj and later through his disciple Shyamacharan Lahiri Mahasaya in India. The book by Yogananda also accelerated the popularity of this yoga all around the country and the world.
Practicing Kriya Yoga:
- Connect your mind with your guru or God
- Harmonize your breath with your chants
- Chant with devotion
- Start with chanting aloud and trail off into whispers
- Continue with silent chanting
- Next think and chant in between your eyebrows
You are simply bringing an union of your mind and the body now.
Similar to other yoga postures, kriya yoga is also a comprehensive set of practices that purify the body and mind. Everyone can perform this yoga without any restriction. Kriya yoga has manifold benefits. Practicing this yoga on a regular basis strengthens lungs and the heart. Kriya yoga is a good remedy for indigestion. Besides, this yoga is good for the whole abdominal system including liver, kidney and pancreas. Performing kriya yoga strengthens immune system and enhances the glow of your skin. Kriya yoga is perfect especially for women to regulate the hormones like progesterone and estrogen. Kriya yoga also rejuvenates life and prevents premature ageing.
Along with the physical benefits of kriya yoga, some spiritual as well as mental benefits are also prominent. For example, kriya yoga is believed to be a wonderful practice to develop self-control. Practicing this yoga makes a person calm and enduring. Kriya yoga is good for memory and brain overall. Therefore, students can be well benefitted by performing this yoga regularly.
Some popular preachers of kriya yoga are Shri Paramhansa Premananda, Yogachraya Tapan Bose and Paramhansa Hariharananda. Paramahamsa Prajnanananda is also popular being one of the leaders of KYIO or Kriya Yoga International Organizations.
Read about different other forms of Yoga popular in India >>
