What Is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya yoga is an ancient form of yoga that focuses on aligning the breath with the body in order to achieve a higher state of consciousness and improved health.

Kriya yoga is known as “householder” yoga, meaning anyone can do it. You don’t need to be an athlete, neither do you need to have the temperament of a monk. All are welcome in kriya yoga. All you need to know how to do, is breathe.

A kriya yoga class incorporates four elements:

Movement (yoga poses, aka “asanas”)

Mantra (chanting and singing)

Mudra (hand gestures)

Meditation (guided, with music and instruments, or silent)

If you've been to a kundalini yoga class, the style is similar. Instead of flowing through poses like in a vinyasa class, kriya yoga combines specific breath techniques with repetitive movements. This approach stimulates whole-body systems including the nervous system and vagus nerve, the lymphatic system, and the endocrine system.

Kriya yoga is also called "spine yoga" because we focus on gentle spinal movements that increase flexibility and strength while moving cerebrospinal fluid. Since spinal health is a barometer of overall wellbeing, these movements can have subtle but profoundly beneficial effects throughout your entire body.

The mantras we use are ancient chants – sacred sounds that help focus the mind. You don't need to be a singer; the power comes from the vibration and intention. There are 82 tiny acupressure points on the tongue and roof of the mouth. When we chant mantras, we send signals to the brain, stimulating the pituitary and pineal glands. When these glands are activated through mantra practice, you may find you are more balanced emotionally and more in touch with your intuition.

The mudras are specific hand gestures that channel energy throughout the body. Your hands contain thousands of nerve endings that correspond to different areas of your brain and body. By holding mudras, you're essentially giving yourself acupressure, which enhances the flow of subtle energy in your yoga practice.

Sometimes this combo of movement, breath, sound, and gesture is known as “the yoga of awareness.” Kriya yoga helps you fully drop into your body and the present moment, naturally raising your consciousness while improving your overall health.