FYI: Brief History of Kriya Yoga

  Kriya yoga is a spiritual practice that dates back to ancient India. Due to yoga's extensive history, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive summary. Still, I will give an overview of the key aspects and milestones associated with Kriya yoga.

  Ancient Origins: The practice of yoga dates back thousands of years in India. Yoga encompasses various physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines to achieve self-realization and union with the divine. Kriya yoga is considered an advanced form of yoga incorporating specific techniques and practices for spiritual awakening.

  Revival by Lahiri Mahasaya: In the late 19th century, a yogi named Lahiri Mahasaya is credited with reviving the practice of Kriya yoga. Lahiri Mahasaya was initiated into Kriya yoga by his guru, Mahavatar Babaji, an enigmatic figure believed to be immortal. Lahiri Mahasaya then popularized the practice, teaching it to his disciples, including Swami Sri Yukteswar Giri and eventually Paramahansa Yogananda.

  Paramahansa Yogananda and Autobiography of a Yogi: Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian yogi, introduced Kriya yoga to the West in the early 20th century. In 1946, he published his influential book "Autobiography of a Yogi," which is available on Amazon.

Yogananda founded the Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) to disseminate the teachings of Kriya yoga and established centers and ashrams in the United States.

  Spread and Global Reach: The teachings of Kriya yoga continued to spread through Paramahansa Yogananda's disciples and the SRF organization. Many individuals worldwide became practitioners of Kriya yoga and sought spiritual growth through its techniques. The teachings were also adapted and integrated into other yoga traditions and practices.

  Modern Kriya Yoga Organizations: Besides the SRF, other organizations and lineages offer Kriya yoga teachings and practices. These organizations include Babaji's Kriya Yoga Order of Acharyas, founded by Marshall Govindan Satchidananda, and the Kriya Yoga Institute, founded by Roy Eugene Davis, a direct disciple of Yogananda.

  Practice and Techniques: Kriya yoga involves a combination of breathing exercises, energy control techniques, meditation, and self-realization practices. It aims to awaken and channel the dormant spiritual energy known as Kundalini, believed to reside at the base of the spine, up through the spine's energy centers or chakras. By harmonizing and purifying the body and mind, Kriya yoga practitioners seek to attain higher states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment.

  It's important to note that the history and evolution of Kriya yoga are intertwined with the broader history of yoga and its various branches. Different teachers and lineages may emphasize certain aspects or variations of Kriya yoga, but the core principles and practices remain focused on self-realization and spiritual transformation.

  In the companion video, a knowledgeable and experienced teacher, Ryan Kurczak, will lead you through the principles and techniques of Kriya Yoga. He has instructional videos available on YouTube and several books on Amazon.

For Video: Kriya Yoga, click here