Kriya Yoga Overview

Basic kriya is gently breathing in and out with some added and very easy features. You find it described carefully on-site. It is not hard to do kriya either. You can try it out for free or let it be. [Simple and gentle Core Kriya]

However, there are some Kriya schools and lines around. They rather typically have elaborations and differences among one another.

Dumb boasting - note it. Some do not refrain from clownish and unverified kriya hype, such unbecoming chatter. Try to preserve your freedom and democratic hold. (Satyananda 1981, 2001). [A comparison]

Tibetan Kriya. In Tibetan Buddhism there is kriya too. It refers to a practice in Nyingma, which is traced back to Padma-Sambhava. Nyingma transmits tantric teachings called Vajrayana. The relaxed sort of vase breathing involved in the tantric tummo method also has some features in common with kriya yoga parts. (WP, "Vase breathing")

Hatha-yoga describes various pranayama (breathing) methods, postures and "holdings" that are included in the elaborate kriya system in Satyanananda Yoga. The "limbs" are found in hatha-yoga of body postures, the gentle pranayama method of ujjayi, yoga mudras, "holdings", and the like. Thus, both simple and elaborate kriya-yoga is deeply into hatha-yoga. (Hewitt 1991).

Contents

Feuerstein, Georg. Encyclopedic Dictionary of Yoga. New York: Paragon House, 1990. ⍽▢⍽ The "kriya-yoga" entry explains the ancient Sanskrit word 'kriya' and informs among other things that the Bhagavata-Purana (XI.27.49) text has that kriya-yoga can be either Vedic or Tantric practice. Both approaches are said to lead to the Divine. Moreover, Yogananda's changed kriya includes concepts and exercises that derive from or at least are similar to kundalini-yoga, Dr. Feuerstein understands. [WP, sv. "Kundalini yoga"]

Hewitt, James. The Complete Yoga Book: The Yoga of Breathing, Meditation and Posture. London: Rider, 1991. ⍽▢⍽ Gentle ujjayi pranayama, and very much else is here.

Satyananda Saraswati, Swami. Kundalini Tantra. 8th ed. Munger: Yoga Publications Trust, 2001. ⍽▢⍽ A sequel to Satyananda's Systematic Course (below)

⸻. A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya. Munger: Yoga Publications Trust, 1981. ⍽▢⍽ A comprehensive book on yoga, meditation, postures and more, divided into 36 lessons on practices of integral yoga. Branches of hatha yoga, raja yoga, mantra yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and kriya yoga are introduced, and many kriya yoga techniques are explained.

Section

Set