Showing posts with label Pranayama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pranayama. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Kriya Yoga




"Kriya, controlling the mind directly through the life force, is the
easiest, most effective, and most scientific avenue of approach to the Infinite.
In contrast to the slow, uncertain “bullock cart” theological path to God, Kriya
may justly be called the “airplane” route."
—Paramhansa Yogananda


Kriya Yoga is a meditation technique that quickly accelerates one's spiritual growth. Kriya is the most effective technique for reaching the goal of Yoga: union with the Divine.


Kriya Yoga is an ancient technique that was hidden in secrecy for many centuries. It was in 1861, when the great yogi Mahavatar Babaji taught the technique to his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya in the Himalayas.


Kriya Yoga is an advanced technique for spiritual evolution that has been taught by enlightened sages for thousands of years. Part of the ancient science of Raja Yoga, it is mentioned by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras and by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita.

Kriya works by giving the practitioner Pranayama--the breathing exercise, or control of the life force. Through life force control, the yogi is able to overcome all the obstacles preventing union with the divine.


The Kriya technique is generally given through direct initiation from a qualified Kriya Yoga teacher, or acharya.


Kriya Yoga is effective because it works directly with the source of spiritual growth — the life force deep in our spines.


All yoga techniques work with this energy, often indirectly. Yoga postures, for example, can help open up the spinal channels, and balance the energy in the spine. Yoga breathing exercises can help to awaken that energy.


The Kriya technique is much more direct. It helps the practitioner to control the life force by mentally drawing it up and down the spine, with awareness and will. According to Paramhansa Yogananda, one Kriya, which takes about a half-minute, is equivalent to one year of natural spiritual growth.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Introduction to Yoga

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice introduced more than 3 centuries ago by saints in India for the well being of human mind, body and spirit. It keeps all the parts including mind healthy, provided you practice it regularly with full devotion.

The Yoga was introduced by Patanjali, with clear principles called Yogasutra. These Yogasutras are eternal and the proof is that it is still being recognized and practiced by millions of people across the globe.

Yoga does not mean doing physical exercise or replacing the physical exercises that one normally does. It also does not mean meditation. Of course, it does have physical exercises to help our body to be free from toxic elements, but it is not only that!

Yogic practice involves

  1. Asanas, nothing but postures, to balance the body and mind through the physical body;
  2. Pranayama, nothing but breathing exercises, to work on the energy body; and
  3. Meditation to clam and focus on the mind.

So, working on the attitude and aspects of Yoga is very important. They are:

  1. Gnana Yoga - the path of knowledge;
  2. Bhakthi Yoga - the path of heart and emotion;
  3. Karma Yoga - the path of service; and
  4. Other Yoga - the spiritual path

We will see these in detail in this site. But, please remember the following:

I have included descriptions of some common yogas in this website, however, the list is by no means complete and exhaustive and it is recommended to receive these and other advanced teachings from a competent master. Doing it alone without proper guidance may or may not help you or it can hurt you, so please be careful!

Thank you, All the Best!