What Is KriyAsana Yoga?

When speaking of the basics of Yoga, one is likely talking about Hatha yoga, the most commonly practised school of the discipline. However, another ancient Yoga style is becoming increasingly popular today: 

Kriya Yoga is a Somatic Yoga.

Regular practice of Kriya Yoga can help individuals achieve inner peace and attain oneness with the cosmos.

Kriya Yoga is the Yoga of 'action' or 'awareness'.

This style of Yoga uses meditation techniques like pranayama, mantras, and mudras or spiritual hand gestures to stimulate mental and emotional growth.

The ultimate goal of this ancient practice is spiritual awakening.

The practice of Kriya Yoga includes the following:

• Meditation

• Mantra chanting

• Pranayama, or breathing exercises

• Asanas, or postures

• Mudras, or hand gestures

The Effects of Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga is more closely associated with the mind and the spirit than other forms of Yoga.

A great deal of research shows the positive effects of Kriya Yoga on the brain. Kriya Yoga is also said to help transform brain waves into more alert and calm states, enhancing awareness and relaxation. 

Studies have shown that the practice of Kriya Yoga helps the brain transition from alpha waves, responsible for alertness, into theta waves, which provide deep relaxation and allow us to access our subconscious mind.

Once individuals access their subconscious, they become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, behavioural patterns, etc.

The various techniques of Kriya Yoga help unify the mind, body, and spirit.

Regular practice of this discipline also furthers mastery over one’s thoughts.

Benefits of Kriya Yoga

Regular practice of Kriya Yoga has many benefits for the mind, body and soul of an individual, and these include:



1. Spiritual growth

Kriya Yoga energises the entire body – all its organs, tissues and cells. In a way, the body gets magnetised and energised to keep itself healthy. A healthy body is home to a healthy soul. By improving the home, Kriya Yoga also enhances the individual’s spiritual growth.

2. by improving the home controlling the mind

The body must first be calmed and quietened to control one’s mind. Kriya Yoga can help with this. Regular practice of Kriya Yoga calms the mind and makes it more efficient by increasing blood flow and oxygen supply.

3. Intellectual development

Kriya Yoga boosts circulation in the head and stimulates brain cells to work at their maximum potential, which helps in the intellectual development of an individual, improving memory recall and retention. 

4. Personality development

Practising Kriya Yoga also helps improve one’s personality. It makes the individual more aware of their negative traits and habits, allowing one to address them without being troubled.

5. Cleanses and unblocks the chakras

Kriya Yoga is known to cleanse and unblock the different chakras. This Yoga style can relieve routine problems like feeling tired and weary, lack of focus, etc.

Regularly practising Kriya Yoga can help one physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Kriya Yoga also helps unify one’s mind, body and soul, creating a profound sense of inner peace and tranquillity. When performed correctly and under the guidance of an experienced teacher, Kriya Yoga is a safe practice that anyone can do. 


What Is Kundalini Yoga & Is It Safe For Beginners?

“The process of growth through Kundalini Yoga is a natural unfolding of your own nature,” Yogi Bhajan has said. “Like a snake, you will need to shed old skins to be more of who you are.”

The ultimate goal of Kundalini is to increase your self-awareness by silencing the mind & clearing the chakras so that your vital energy can flow freely.

"The practice of kundalini is filled with really challenging breath exercises coupled with asanas and meditation," 

"These are often practiced in repetition for a pretty lengthy period of time and move a lot of energy around in your body."

There's a reason why the practice has gained popularity only recently: The ancient teachings of Kundalini Yoga were kept secret for a very long time, only taught to royalty and nobility for thousands of years until Bhajan brought it to the West in the late 60's & began to teach it publicly.

What are the health benefits?

There are a lot of reasons why people choose to practice Kundalini—like its effect on both your physical and psychological well-being. Below are some of the most popular health benefits of Kundalini, including a faster metabolism, better mood, and lowered stress levels.


Builds strength

Because you hold each posture for an extended period of time (sometimes up to five minutes!), Kundalini Yoga is a great way to strengthen and tone your muscles. Some of the more intense breathing techniques—like Breath of Fire—can also build core strength, as you have to engage your abdominal muscles with each exhale

Enhances your memory and focus

According to research, Kundalini Yoga can impact cognitive functioning, boosting both your concentration and memory. Even the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation recommends a Kundalini kriya for improving memory retention. 


How to practice.

A typical Kundalini Yoga class is comprised of three parts: an opening chant (known as “tuning in”) followed by a brief warm-up for your spine, a Kriya (which is a sequence of postures paired with breathing techniques), and a closing meditation or song.

Each Kriya—which is Sanskrit for “action”—pairs a physical pose with a breath or meditation. These poses can be anything you choose based on the part of your body that you want to focus on, like Bujangasana (cobra pose) for your spine or Virabadrasana (warrior pose) for your legs & glutes.

While different Kriyas use different breaths, one of the most popular breathing techniques is Breath of Fire, which consists of short, quick breaths (almost like a dog panting). To do Breath of Fire, seal your lips and breathe in and out of your nose at a rate of about two to three breaths per second. As you breathe, expel the air in powerful spurts to engage your core.

Chant & song are also key components of Kundalini Yoga. There are endless mantras and songs that you can recite during your practice but most classes start with the Adi Mantra, which means “I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the divine teacher within.” Another common chant you’ll hear in a Kundalini class is Sat Nam, which means “I am truth or truth is my identity.”

You can also expect a meditation-heavy class. Each set during Kundalini Yoga has different postures that involve movement, breathing techniques, mindfulness, and a mantra. Between postures, you’ll have a minute or two to relax and focus inward. After the entire set, there’s a relaxation followed by a meditation, then a mantra before class closes.

While anyone can practice Kundalini (unless you have a pre-existing medical condition, of course), this particular style of Yoga is especially good for people who are looking for a spiritual practice as much as they’re looking for a physical workout.

Kundalini Yoga is an intense practice, but both its physical and mental benefits make it a great option for beginners and advanced yogis alike.