Known throughout India and the world as a form of meditation technique, the Kriya Yoga was one of the ancient types of yoga that were kept hidden in secrecy for several years. It was only made open to the public as one of the yoga practices when it was revealed its importance and revived the practice in 1861 by one of its practitioners, Mahavatar Babaji. This man taught the practice to one of his disciples, Lahiri Mahasaya who in turn made the Kriya Yoga widely known.
The Kriya Yoga appeared in public as a yoga technique when another disciple of Babaji named Paramhansa Yogananda published his book entitled “Autobiography of a Yogi”. It was also this man who first claimed that Kriya Yoga is the most effective type of the meditation practices that were made available to mankind. According to him, the practice was developed to attain the main purpose of yoga, which is but union with the divine.
The Kriya Technique
On the most basic, the practice of Kriya Yoga embraces the technique that specifically highlights the bond between mind and breath. This principle is maintained until now believing that breath influences the mind and vice versa. Thus, Kriya Yoga considered breath control as a self control, and the mastery of breath is the mastery of self. Well, it is for this belief that breathing is considered in this practice as an important element that people should consider.
The Kriya Yoga techniques, aside from breathing, are centered significantly on promoting energy. Postures are developed to open the spinal networks in the body for the spine to be energized. And, to help make these possible certain exercises that involve proper breathing are highly considered.
It is further interesting to know that the techniques involved in Kriya Yoga are practiced through a form of initiation. The techniques are taught to beginners by an expert as a simply practice, but during the initiation, it is expected that the practitioner’s body will be purified then opening a chance for deep meditation.
How to Become a Kriya Yogi
Unlike the other types of yoga, the Kriya Yoga has established its own paths for its followers to heed to obtain a sense of oneness. First, they must undergo the technique maintained by Paramhansa Yogananda which simply involves a spiritual practice of Kriya. Then, they must learn how to open their minds and hearts to certain possibilities. After which, they should follow the Ananda technique which involves energization poses, the Aum meditation technique, the concentration technique, and finally the Kriya technique.
It is worth noting though that the ultimate effects of Kriya Yoga can’t be obtained in just a matter of days or weeks. The truth is, the process involved in the practice may take about a year or more, depending on the level of interest paid by the student.
