Kriya

Kriya (in Sanskrit "action, deed, effort") most commonly refers to a technique or practice within a yoga discipline, also the outward physical manifestations of awakened kundalini. Types of kriya may vary widely between different schools of yoga. Kriyas are the spontaneous movements resulting from the awakening of Kundalini energy. Certain kriyas eventually developed into the asanas of hatha yoga.

Kriya Shakti is "a power of thought" said to be greatly studied by yogis [Helena Petrona Blavatsky (1893 - 1897), "The Secret Doctrine", London Theosophical Pub. House, 1893-97, ISBN 0-900-588-74-8] .

Among the specific Kriya practices are:

"Kriya Yoga:"

* Kriya Yoga, a specific form of yoga revived in modern times by Lahiri Mahasaya and popularized in the West by Paramahansa Yogananda;

* Kriya yoga also refers to specific yoga practices taught in the Satyananda Yoga, lineage of Swami Satyananda;

* For the Kriya yoga utilized in Tibetan Buddhism, see Outer Tantras;

"Other techniques:"

* Sudarshan Kriya is a breathing process taught by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar;

* Techniques of Knowledge, a set of four kriyas taught by Prem Rawat;

* Yoga cleansing techniques described in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Main kriya cleansing techniques are:
# neti,
# nauli,
# trataka,
# kapalabhati,
# dhauti and
# basti.

References