Kriya yoga
Kriya yoga
The practices of kriya yoga were propagated by Swami Satyananda Saraswati from secret teachings described in the yoga and tantra texts (shastras). The kriyas, as taught by Satyananda Yoga®, are one of only two systems of kriya yoga recognised the world over, the other being that of Paramahamsa Yogananda.
The word ‘kriya’ means 'activity' or 'movement' referring to the activity or movement of consciousness. Kriya also refers to a type of practical or preliminary practice leading to total union, the final result of all yogic paths. Unlike more classical forms of yoga and meditation, kriya yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness. In this way all faculties are harmonised and flower into their fullest potential.
Kriya yoga originated in antiquity and evolved over time through practice and experience. The full form of kriya yoga consists of over 70 kriyas out of which only 20 or so are commonly known. These techniques should be learnt under the guidance of a qualified yoga teacher.
Further reading: The kriya practices are inscribed in numerous tantric texts written in Sanskrit. To date only a few of these have been translated into other languages. The most authoritative text on the subject of kriya yoga today is the magnum opus: [A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga & Kriya](; its companion volume is Kundalini Tantra.
