Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga

1 week duration
For national and overseas aspirants

Training in integral yoga is the hallmark of Bihar School of Yoga. This integral yoga is expressed by the yoga chakra concept. The yoga chakra is divided into bahiranga yoga, outer or external yoga, for self-perfection, and antaranga yoga, inner yoga, to express the spiritual attainment. External yoga is that which is performed to improve the quality of your body and mind, the expression of your senses and behaviour. The bahiranga (external) branches of yoga are hatha yoga, raja yoga, kriya yoga.

The Satyananda Yoga system of kriya yoga is divided into three categories: pratyahara kriyas, dharana kriyas, and dhyana kriyas. In this process the aspirant traverses the various states of mind, from pratyahara to dharana to dhyana, and the end result of kriya yoga is unified awareness. Although the practices combine techniques of asana, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, visualization and awareness, their focus is on perfecting, developing and deepening the state of pratyahara, dharana and dhyana.

Kriya yoga is an intensive sadhana and requires a high level of preparation and experience of both hatha yoga and raja yoga. Training in the system of kriya yoga will be given over a three year period. The sadhaka is expected to practise consistently throughout the year, in order to be eligible to participate in the progressive stages. Yatras 3 and 4 will be offered every alternate year. Sufficient time is required for the sadhana to deepen and for the practitioner to become established in it. Only those who are serious and committed to yoga as a sadhana should consider applying.

Kriya yoga initially requires adequate practical and theoretical preparation and training in the following practices:

• Bandhas including moola, jalandhara and uddiyana
• Mudras including shambhavi, khechari and bhoochari
• Mahabheda mudra
• Mahamudra
• Sarvangasana
• Vipareet Karani
• Pranayama including ujjayi
• Ajapa Japa
• An understanding of chakras, location and visualisation

The practitioner must be able to sit comfortably in a classical meditative asana for at least half an hour, preferably padmasana, or siddhasana.

The application form can be downloaded here.

Please contact Bihar School of Yoga for more information by phone or post. If contacting by post please send a stamped, self addressed envelope for reply.