What Are Kundalini Kriyas

A kriya is a set of postures, breath, and sound in Kundalini Yoga that work together to achieve a specific goal. When you practice a kriya, you start a chain reaction of physical and mental changes that influence your body, mind, and soul all at once. There are kriyas to assist the liver, balance the glandular system, make you radiant, stimulate the pituitary, promote spine flexibility, and so on. Each kriya works on a separate level of your being, but they all operate together.

What are the kriyas of Kundalini Yoga?

The most significant Kundalini Yoga Kriyas to perform are Sat Kriya, Sodarshan Chrka Kriya, Kirtan Kriya, Gurmukh's Kriyas, Moon, Shabad, Surya, and Hast Kriya. Kirtan Kriya is one of Kundalini Yoga's most significant meditations.

What's the difference between kriya and Kundalini?

In the philosophical philosophy of Yoga, the phrases Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga are utilized. In terms of intent, they are not the same. The legendary Paramahamsa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, invented the phrase Kriya Yoga. In his book, he uses the phrase. Kriya Yoga is, in reality, the Yoga method espoused by Paramahamsa Yogananda.

Kriya Yoga strives to achieve spiritual progress in the practitioner's life by regulating the breathing system through intense Pranayama sessions.

In a nutshell, Kriya Yoga denotes the many stages of Pranayama.

Kundalini Yoga, on the other hand, is a physical and mental Yoga practice that attempts to strengthen the purity of the mind and body, setting the way for a state of spiritual absorption.

Meditation techniques can be used to practice Kundalini Yoga.

It's worth noting that Kundalini Yoga is also known as the Yoga of Awareness because it helps to improve human consciousness, intuition, and self-knowledge.

It awakens the limitless human potential that exists within each and every one of us.

Kundalini Yoga strives to awaken the Kundalini Shakti in every human being, allowing them to develop spiritual abilities and the quality of serving others, bringing them closer to God.

It's worth noting that the creator of the Yoga philosophy, sage Patanjali, didn't say much about the Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga parts of practice.

To achieve the ultimate degree of joy, he emphasized the practice of Raja Yoga.

Kundalini Yoga strives to achieve the highest degree of joy as well.

These are some of the distinctions between Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.

1. What is the difference between Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga?

2. Yoga and Exercise: What's the Difference?

What are the 6 kriyas?

A magnificent day was declared in England on July 4th, 2020: the pubs re-opened after nearly three months! All kidding aside, today is a big day for hospitality businesses that have been allowed to reopen as long as they follow the government's Covid-19 standards.

The general populace was mostly well-behaved, despite widespread drunkenness and disorderliness being forecast, but were you?

In reality, alcohol sales have increased during the lockdown, implying that individuals have simply relocated their drinking habits from the pub to the back garden.

Have we become more reliant on sweets and alcohol than we previously were throughout this time? Perhaps it's time to rebalance our bodies with yoga and Ayurveda, yoga's sister science.

The Six Kriyas

The six kriyas, or cleaning practices, are listed in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a 15th-century practical instruction to yoga. The goal of these exercises is to lighten the body and remove accumulated residual matter (also known as ‘amma' in Ayurvedic treatment).

As described in an interview with Deepti Sastry, YogaLondon's Philosophy specialist, these practices are profoundly entwined with yoga in India.

These immune-boosting cleaning activities were the emphasis of her childhood yoga practice at boarding school.

These are related to Ayurveda and the three doshas, or body qualities: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Dis-ease (disharmony) of the body will result if these traits are out of balance.

What are the Six Kriyas?

If you're overweight and have a lot of phlegm, you should do the six acts first (before doing pranayama) (cleansing techniques or kriyas). Others should avoid them since they balance the three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha).

Dhauti, vasti, neti, trataka, nauli, and kapalabhati are the six acts (cleaning techniques or kriyas).

These six actions, which detoxify the body and provide particular advantages, have been kept a secret for hundreds of years and are only performed by ancient yogis.

• Dhauti is an extraordinary (to us) method of cleaning the alimentary canal by slowly swallowing an 8-foot-long wet cloth soaked in salty water. This is left in for around 20 minutes before being taken out, bringing any contaminants with it.
• Vasti is essentially colonic irrigation, in which water is introduced through a tube implanted into the anus to cleanse the lower gut. A hollow piece of bamboo is recommended in the HYP.
• Insert a smooth thread into the nasal canal and drag it out through the mouth is how neti is defined. There are now several slightly less harsh techniques to perform neti cleansing, such as using a neti pot to draw water into the nasal passages to wash away contaminants.
• Trataka is the purification of the eyes, which happily does not require any insertion. This technique involves focusing the sight on a small point without blinking until the eyes begin to moisten.
• Nauli kriya is similar to Uddiyhana bandha in that it entails rubbing the interior abdominal organs with the external muscles. The action should look like undulating waves moving across the belly when done correctly.
• Kapalabhati is a breathing method that is used to cleanse the body. ‘Inhaling and exhaling rapidly like a blacksmith's bellows,' according to the HYP. Kapalabhati literally translates to “light skull,” and its benefits include activating the digestive organs, draining the sinuses, and inducing euphoria.

Pranayama can be started after these six cleansing procedures have been practiced, according to the HYP. Some gurus, however, question whether the kriyas need be practiced at all, claiming that pranayama alone will cleanse the body of all pollutants.

Almost all of these techniques are not for the faint of heart in the Western world. The ideas of purifying the body of pollutants, on the other hand, are worth following. This ideal of purifying the physical body and clearing it of impurities in order to practice the asanas with a pure body also incorporates the niyama (yogic moral principles) of saucha, or cleanliness.

What to Try Instead

It's a good idea to start cleansing routines first thing in the morning. Clean your tongue with a copper tongue scraper before heading to the kitchen, and then brush your teeth. This removes the poisons that have accumulated on your tongue overnight. Then, to cleanse your digestive system, sip hot water with a slice of lemon or detox tea.

Try taking a yoga or pranayama session before breakfast to help your body rid itself of pollutants.

Give your body a break from alcohol, coffee, sweets, and high-fat foods, to name a few. Stick to handmade, colorful, fresh meals and you'll notice a difference in your energy levels and sleeping patterns.

How to Detox through Yoga

Yoga can aid with intestinal health, which has been linked to better mental health. ‘Pitta' (or fire) causing poses, such as sirsasana, or headstand, are beneficial for detoxing the body. Backbends stimulate the liver, which can make you feel queasy if you've had too much to drink the night before. By wringing out the kidneys and liver, the twists massage the digestive organs and help cleanse them. And Supta Virasana (Supine Hero Pose) can be done at any time to promote digestion and stretch out the gut, even after a big dinner (or a heavy night).

What Sat Nam means?

Satnam (Gurmukhi: ) is the most important term in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh sacred scripture. It is part of the Gurbani shabad known as Mool Mantra, which Sikhs recite every day. This word comes after “Ek-onkar,” which means “There is only one constant” or “There is only one God.” The words sat and nam imply “true/everlasting” and “name,” respectively. This would be “whose name is truth” in this case. God is referred to as Satnam because God's Name is True and Everlasting.

In Sikhism, the word nam has two meanings. “It was both a representation and an application of the all-pervading Supreme Reality that kept the universe alive. In his teachings, Guru Nanak emphasized the importance of chanting Sat-Nam in order to realize the All-pervading Supreme Reality.”

How long do Kundalini kriyas last?

Kundalini meditation might be hard due of the multitude of approaches available. A teacher can help you with specific strategies if you want to utilize it to solve a specific issue.

Because Kundalini meditation is a holistic approach, it's best to start with a practitioner or a guided meditation if you're new to meditation.

• Dress comfortably. Wearing light, loose clothing when meditating can make you feel more at ease. Kundalini practitioners frequently cover their heads with shawls or other fabrics, as this is said to protect and increase energy flow.
• To get into a meditative state of mind, start by tuning in. Maintain a straight spine by sitting upright in your chair or on the floor. By pressing your palms together at your chest, make a prayer stance with your hands. Close your eyes partially, allowing a sliver of light to enter.
• Concentrate on the chakra of the third eye. While tuning in, many practitioners find it beneficial to focus on their third eye. Turn your focus to the region between your brows in the center of your forehead while keeping your eyes closed.
• Make use of a mantra. Mantras are a crucial part of Kundalini meditation because they help you focus. Mantras in Gurmukhi, a sacred Indian language, are usually used. But don't stress too much if you don't get it properly the first time. With a mantra that feels good to you, you'll probably get the best results. Say it out loud or silently, whichever is more comfortable for you.
• Begin by concentrating on your breathing. Only breathe in and out via your nose, concentrating on the sensation of breathing. Then start slowing your breathing. Each inhalation and exhale should last 3 to 4 seconds, for a total of 8 seconds each breath. Pay attention to how your breath energizes and flows through your body.
• Add mudras to the mix. Mudras, or hand positions, are commonly used in Kundalini practices. Try the Gyan mudra by touching your first finger to your thumb if you want to develop knowledge, openness, and calmness. Try the Shuni mudra, which involves touching your middle finger to your thumb, to build patience and commitment.
• Dividing your breathing into equal halves is a good idea. Divide each inhale and exhale into four parts instead of taking one lengthy inhale for 4 seconds followed by a long exhale. To put it another way, inhale four times without exhaling in between. Then exhale in the same manner. Draw your navel (belly button) toward your spine with each inhale and exhale.
• When your mind wanders, bring it back to your breath. Even long-term meditators don't always stay concentrated. Return your thoughts to your breath if you feel a lapse of attention. If you have any wandering thoughts, acknowledge them and then let them go.
• Carry on for another 3 to 5 minutes. There's no need to go right into a long meditation practice if you're new to meditation. Starting with a shorter session and gradually increasing the length of your meditation as you get more comfortable is generally recommended.
• Your session has come to an end. Finish your meditation with a full, deep breath (inhale and exhale). Inhale deeply once again as you extend your arms to their greatest length. As you exhale, take a deep breath and relax.

Are you new to meditation? These pointers will assist you in making your meditation practice more fruitful.

Why do kriyas happen?

They appear in meditation as a result of Kundalini Shakti, the divine cosmic energy, stirring, awakening, and unfolding. Kriyas are a by-product of increased pranic flow along the subtler energy pathways ushered in by Life Force activation.

What do kriyas do?

Although Yogananda felt that the Bhagavad Gita explained kriya yoga, it does not explicitly teach it. Krishna characterizes kriya Yoga as follows, according to Paramahansa Yogananda in his book God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita:

The yogi neutralizes these two life currents and their resulting mutations of decay and growth, the causative agents of breath and heart action and concomitant body consciousness, by practicing concentrated Kriya Yoga pranayama—offering the inhaling breath into the exhaling breath (prana into apana) and offering the exhaling breath into the inhaling breath (apana into prana). The Kriya Yogi stops bodily deterioration by recharging the blood and cells with life energy distilled from breath and fortified with the pure spiritualized life force in the spine and brain, so quieting the breath and heart by making their cleansing actions unnecessary. As a result, the yogi achieves conscious life-force control.

The Bihar School of Yoga, which teaches comparable kriya yoga practices, believes that the Yoga Stras and the Bhagavad Gta's descriptions of kriya yoga are unrelated.