Kriya Yoga: Benefits of Kriya, Kriya ke Bhed, Kriya Kitne Prakar Ke Hote Hain, Kriya Kaise Krte H
Have you ever felt stuck in your yoga practice, a dull mental haze, or a craving for something deeper? In the complex web of modern life. We develop not only physical tension but also huge quantities of energetic and mental clutter. What if I told you there was an ancient and powerful way to clear that crap out. And spiritualize your life, leading to ultimate calmness and clarity? Welcome to Kriya Yoga.
As you may know, here in Rishikesh—the spiritual epicenter of yoga. We often point you, the seeker, in the direction of practices that expand beyond physical postures. It is one such practice—a complete system of yogic purification that doesn’t just purge the body. But the mind and the whole channel of energy. It is not just another exercise. Kriya Yoga is a critical step on your path toward complete health and complete self-realization.
What is Kriya Yoga?
The Essence of Yogic Purification
At the core of Kriya Yoga are a series of energized actions, called ‘Kriyas,’ which are designed to help activate and purify our internal systems. Though modern-day yoga is primarily about asanas (postures), Kriya Yoga is much deeper in not only the physical practice. But also the practice of healing energetic blockages towards our own benefits on or off the mat; think of it as a spring cleaning of the inside world.
These traditions, found in the classical Hatha Yoga texts the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita, focus on more than just physical cleanliness; rather, they focus on physical cleanliness as a way to ensure the optimized flow of prana, or the life force in the body. When we allow for proper flow of prana, we improve our physical health, enhance mental clarity, and allow for emotional stability. This is a vital first step in preparing the mind for deeper meditation and spiritual insight.
Kriya Ke Bhed: Exploring the Classical Cleanses
When we refer to Kriya ke bhed, we are talking about the six classical yogic cleansing actions, which we call “Shadkarma” (which means 6 actions). These are not actions to take lightly, as they are, each, an action performed to precise guidelines with targeted benefits:
- Dhauti: the cleansing of the digestive tract (which often has stomach washes lightly implied) by relaxing the tract.
- Basti: Yoga (yogic) enemas for cleansing the colon.
- Neti: Nasal cleansing using saline water (Jala Neti) or a thread (Sutra Neti)—practiced to maintain the health of the respiratory system.
- Trataka: Concentrated gazing on one point, such as staring at a candle’s flame, with the purpose of improving eyesight and concentration.
- Nauli: A strong abdominal churning action is supposed to generate a ‘massage’ of abdominal organs while stimulating digestion.
- Kapalbhati: a fierce ‘exhalation action,’ which is often considered to be a pranayama but is a powerful kriya cleansing for the frontal brain area and the respiratory system.
Each of these Kriya ke bhed has targeted areas of focus, but they are all working together very well to create internality that promotes healthiness and wellness.
Kriya Kitne Prakar Ke Hote Hain? A Broader Perspective
The inquiry, “Kriya kitne prakar ke hote hain?” often arises, and a very good inquiry it is, as the word “Kriya” can have a much larger applicability. For example, we have these:
- Preparatory Cleanses: Many basic cleanses, such as Agnisar Kriya (belly churning, a milder version) or Vaman Dhauti (i.e., vomiting, a method of cleansing the upper digestive tract), are actually Kriyas that are taught as preparatory cleanses before performing many of the more advanced Kriyas.
- Specific Lineage Kriya: Also, there are indeed a few modern lineages that use the word ‘Kriya’ to denote specific sets of accelerated meditation techniques and guided practices that promote spiritual evolution, such as Kriya Yoga and Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings. These kriyas also have the goal of purification and accelerated growth internally, but these sorts of practices are beyond the classical Hatha Yoga focus on Shadkarma.
So, while Shadkarma provides the precise answer to “Kriya kitne prakar ke hote hain?”. And Sutra helps answer this question in the context of Hatha Yoga. Kriya can refer to other highly transformative actions in other yogic pathways.
Benefits of Kriya: Unlocking Your Potential
The Kriya benefits are very deep and cover every layer of our being:
– Physical Health: Kriyas detox the body, enhance digestion, promote and improve respiratory function, and accelerate the immune response. Imagine the clearer sinus pathways from Neti or the improved digestive system from Nauli!
– Mental Clarity: Kriyas can clear the physical and energetic channels to mistakenly emphasize mental clarity over physical clarity. The depth of mental clarity is clarified as they can eliminate mental fog and hesitation. Increase focused thought, and relieve stress and anxiety. For soothing the mind, Trataka is one of many excellent practices.
– Mental Expansion: While all of the above can lead to expanded consciousness, a clearer energy system is often also synonymous with greater stability in emotional functioning and resilience.
– Spiritual Awakenings: And maybe the most important benefit is Kriya prepares you for an enhanced meditative experience. With a pure vessel, a peaceful mind develops, and subtle energies, in this case, prana, can flow. Allowing for significant spiritual experiences in reaching the essence of your being.
Kriya Kaise Krte H: The Path of Authentic Learning
Next, we come to a central question, “Kriya kaise krte h?”. So while we have provided a description of what kriyas are, the most important answer to the easier question “Kriya kaise krte h?”. Is this: Kriya practices, especially advanced kriyas. Should always be learned and practiced with qualified and experienced yoga teachers or gurus with direct and watchful guidance.
Practicing any of these techniques without proper guidance could harm performance or even be dangerous. An experienced teacher will evaluate your own progress, give specific and personalized instruction, correct your technique. Ensure you are not performing unaware of the consequences or even aware of the consequences. And probably help you prepare in advance with basic asanas and pranayama practices.
Kriya in Hindi: Connecting with the Roots
The term “Kriya in Hindi” means a lot to us here in India. “Kriya” is a Sanskrit word that is the basis of many Hindi words that roughly translate as “action,” “effort,” or “completed act.” This term, “Kriya in Hindi,” usually means, at the time of its writing. It carries the ancient knowledge source and the unambiguous nature of this origin.
Which reminds us, yoga is not only about passive acceptance but also about active engagement. And active efforts towards purification and liberation. To learn these forms in their original cultural/linguistic source, like here in Rishikesh. Provides an additional dimension to your understanding and experience.
Kicking Off Your Kriya Journey At Our School In Rishikesh
At our school in Rishikesh, you will benefit from our sincere commitment to share the true practices of Kriya Yoga. We have experienced teachers that leverage the knowledge of tradition. Assigned with the role of supporting your journey within a safe and supportive environment. While you explore the transformative aspect of Kriya. We provide courses and workshops dedicated to introducing our students to the world of Kriya. As well as being supported in your guidance and a holistic understanding.
If you are ready to purify, energize, and deepen your path of yoga. We welcome you to see the variety of our programs. Come and experience the powerful benefits of Kriya Yoga in the special energy of the sacred and spiritual site: Rishikesh.
Are you ready to purify your path? Explore our upcoming Kriya Yoga courses or contact us about learning more about how Kriya Yoga and the other ancient practices can change your life.
Join Us Our Short Retreat: 3 and 5 day’s Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh at Yogant Foundation
