What Is Kriya Yoga?
Kriya Yoga is an ancient meditation technique of energy and breath control, or pranayama. Kriya Yoga is given through “Diksha” or initiation process either in-person or through Online. It is part of a comprehensive spiritual path, which includes additional meditation practices along with right living.
The Kriya technique was hidden in secrecy for many centuries. It was revived in 1861, when the great yogi Mahavatar Babaji taught the technique to his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya. Lahiri then taught the technique to his disciple Sri Yukteswar, who taught it to his disciples, including Paramhansa Yogananda.
Yogananda then popularized Kriya Yoga through his book Autobiography of a Yogi and through his public teaching in the West. Kriya has been taught in an unbroken link of spiritual succession to this day.
How Does Kriya Work?
According to Yogananda, Kriya Yoga is the most effective technique available to mankind today for reaching the goal of Yoga: union with the Divine. Kriya Yoga is so effective because it works directly with the source of growth — the spiritual energy deep in our spines.
All yoga techniques work with this energy, usually indirectly. Yoga postures, for example, can help open up the spinal channels, and balance the energy in the spine. Yoga breathing exercises or pranayama, can help to awaken that energy.
However, Kriya Yoga is more direct. It helps the practitioner to control the life force by mentally drawing that life force up and down the spine, with awareness and will. According to Yogananda, one Kriya, which takes about half a minute, is equivalent to one year of natural spiritual growth.
Kriya is also very practical in its effectiveness. Kriya Yogis find that it enhances their ability to concentrate, to become more effective in business and in family life, and to become better people in every way.
“One thousand Kriyas practiced in eight hours gives the yogi, in one day, the equivalent of one thousand years of natural evolution: 365,000 years of evolution in one year.”
Where and How Do I Learn It?
Receiving Kriya Diksha or Initiation Through Ananda
The Kriya technique is taught through initiation by one of our Kriyacharyas or Kriya Yoga teachers who are authorized by Swami Kriyananda, who himself was authorized by Paramhansa Yogananda, to pass on the Kriya technique. Many of our teachers have been initiating people into Kriya Yoga for more than 30 years, and teaching meditation for over 50 years.
Kriya Initiation is given in-person or Online
Preparation for Kriya Initiation
Before you can be initiated into Kriya Yoga, there is a process of preparation which includes study of Paramhansa Yogananda’s teachings and practice of other meditation techniques.
Over the years, Ananda has helped thousands of truth seekers all over the world to prepare for initiation into Kriya Yoga. We’ve seen that the practice of Kriya is infinitely more effective after the proper preparation and study of the Kriya teachings.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Kriya?
This process takes about nine months to a year, but this also depends on each individual. It is natural to think of any training we receive in terms of outer goals, yet with the Path of Kriya, much more is involved. The Path of Kriya Yoga involves learning and practicing spiritual techniques that promote inner transformation. Each of these techniques needs to be integrated into one’s life before moving forward. How quickly one can move forward with the material depends on personal karma and inner realities. The instructors work with each individual, according to their needs and realities.
This period of nine months is divided into 4 steps or modules for easy learning and absorption of the teachings.
4 Step Path of Kriya Yoga
This online course offers techniques that are part of the path of Kriya Yoga, including the Hong Sau technique of concentration and Energization Exercises developed by Paramhansa Yogananda. There are also many simple, “do-able” suggestions, such as how to sit comfortably for meditation, how to still the restless mind, and how to take your experiences of peace and joy into daily life. Included with the course are audio and digital video, guiding you through the meditation practices.
This is a 9 Week long online course. During the course you will receive caring support from experienced teachers.
This online course shares, in a practical way, the Fundamentals of Raja Yoga: the comprehensive yogic path that shows us how to spiritualize our entire life, with meditation as its central practice.
The yoga teachings explain that this world is a school, where we are sent to develop our “spiritual muscles” by learning the many lessons life teaches us. When all lessons have been learned, and our consciousness spiritualized; we are able to graduate the School of Life and earn the true “Certificate of Completion”: Self-Realization.
This is a 9 Week long online course with 7 Live Webinars. During the course you will receive caring support from experienced teachers.
Based on A Handbook on Discipleship, written by Swami Kriyananda – shares insights into the importance and practice of the Guru/Disciple relationship. Stories of his personal experiences with Paramhansa Yogananda help to prepare the student for either an at-home or in-person initiation into discipleship to Yogananda and to the line of Masters of Self-Realization, if he or she feels ready for this level of commitment.
This is a 9 Week long online course with 9 Live Webinars. During the course you will receive caring support from experienced teachers.
The Preparation for Kriya course includes instructions in the AUM technique of meditation and further prepares the student for Kriya Yoga initiation. This course is available by permission from the Ananda Kriya Sangha after completion of the first three steps of the Path of Kriya, and completion of the ceremony of discipleship.
This is a 9 Week long online course with 10 Live Webinars. During the course you will receive caring support from experienced teachers.
After completion of all the 4 steps of Path of Kriya Yoga, Kriya Initiation is given through initiation either in-person or online.
How Do You Learn Kriya?
The Path of Kriya can be studied through our online courses. After completion of all the 4 steps of Path of Kriya Yoga, Kriya Initiation is given through initiation either in-person or online.