Kriya Yoga practice is based on breath, the spinal chord and the brain. 'Kriya' is an advanced technique of pranayama. Our ancient Rishis perceived the brain and spine as the tree of life. They discovered that by moving the prana (life energy) up and down the spine by the special technique of Kriya Yoga, it is possible to greatly enhance the awareness and make progress on the spiritual path. Proper practice of Kriya Yoga enables the heart, lung and nervous system to slow down naturally, producing deep inner stillness of body and mind. The usual agitation of thoughts, emotions, and sensory perceptions is calmed down and an inner stillness is experienced. There are no short cuts to learning and practicing Kriya. Kriya Yoga is learnt via the Guru-Sishya relationship. It is a long haul but a joyful journey. In this spiritual journey, the serious endeavor of the disciple is supported directly by the step by step guidance of the Guru to ensure that right methods and practices are followed. The aspirant has to be in contact with the Guru for this to happen.

Benefits of Kriya Yoga

By the practice of Kriya Yoga, the entire human system is energized. All the internal organs like liver, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, pituitary, pineal glands are activated. Number of breaths per minute begins to come down. More oxygen is inhaled and more carbon-di-oxide is exhaled. Thus, every cell in the body will have more oxygen and less carbon-di-oxide. More oxygen helps to relax the body. The load on the lungs gets reduced. Blood gets purified and toxic materials get slowly released from the body. The body starts repairing itself due to reduced load.

As one makes progress in the practice of this sublime Yoga, the effectiveness of the technique can be felt and some of the following benefits can be experienced:

• Slower breathing rate
• Lower heart rate
• Relaxed feeling in the body
• Enhanced body's repairing ability
• Reduced thoughts
• Calmness of mind
• Increased awareness in action

An important point to be noted is that during the entire process of Kriya Yoga, one should not hold the breath. Holding the breath, known as 'Kumbhaka', is harmful. Swamiji is of the opinion that forceful holding of breath is dangerous. Anyone holding the breath for a few minutes can feel pain, suffocation and heart strain. This damages the brain in the long run. This adverse bodily effect should be avoided. Forceful holding of breath is not practiced in this lineage. Only 'Kevala Kumbhaka', which happens automatically with continual and advanced practice of internally oriented pranayama of Kriya Yoga, is acceptable.

"Without rechaka or puraka, if the breath stops effortlessly, it is called Kevala Kumbhaka." Hatha-Yoga Pradipika, II, 73.

Khechari Mudra

Khechari Mudra forms an important part of Kriya Yoga and can be learnt only through an experienced expert who has already mastered it. This mudra involves placing the tongue above the soft palate and into the nasal cavity. In the initial stage, applicable for most practitioners, the tip of the tongue touches the soft palate without much of a strain. The tongue needs to be elongated to go up to uvula and enter into the nasal cavity behind the uvula. One way to achieve this is to cut the frenum (lower tendon of the tongue). This is a forceful method and is strictly prohibited by Swamiji. Swamiji recommends achieving Kechari in a normal way by a preliminary practice of 'Talavya', a technique for elongating the tongue.

Kechari Mudra stimulates certain points inside the nasal cavity resulting in some extraordinary spiritual benefits. Due to its wonderful benefits it has been practiced by yogis and meditators, for perhaps thousands of years.

Levels of Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga consists of a number of levels. Swamiji initiates each disciple separately in a private ceremony. He gives the first Kriya after assessing the disciple's ability and determines the duration of practice. The second Kriya is given to disciples only after Kechari Mudra is achieved successfully. The goal of second Kriya is to pierce the 'hrdaya granthi' (heart knot). Initiation into the third Kriya depends on the progress of the disciple. Third Kriya is given to stabilize the 'Pranava' (OM sound). After this, there is no initiation into the higher level Kriya. Higher Level of Kriya happens by itself to those who make steadfast efforts on the spiritual path.