Kriya Yoga Meditation And Its Relation With Mind-Body Fitness

Yoga is a 5000 years old practice that was originated in India with the purpose to discipline, strengthen, organise and centre your body mind and soul. Even the holy books highlight the power of Yoga in the life of great warriors and heroes like Ram, Krishna, Hanuman etc.

Kriya Yoga Meditation and its Relation With Mind-Body Fitness

As the time evolved and technology took over everything, the existence of Yoga started losing its strength and roots. As the stress and unhealthy life started taking over our lives, Yoga became the viable only answer to overall wellbeing. I started practising yoga 3 years ago and be it mentally, physically or emotionally; I have grown stronger and better. Since the International Yoga Day came into existence more and more people are revisiting the long lost connection with yogic practices.

Kriya Yoga is a thousand-year-old practice that consists of the advanced meditation practice which leads you to the spiritual growth and inner peace. It is a very effective form of practice as it directly works on the source of growth of spiritual energy deep in our spines.

According to the famous book ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’, Kriya Yoga is a technique that gives you a source of inspiration, a clear brain to stimulate your thinking ability, strengthens your medulla and magnetizes your body. It’s a way to self-realization and moral growth. Before going for the main techniques and asanas, According to Yogananda, there is a method of preparation to relax your body and mind which is also known as energization exercise. This preparation not only relaxes you but also draws energy into your body and circulates in through your internal organs giving you a healthy mind and body with glowing skin as a result of yoga.

The various Kriya Yoga techniques are:

Hong-Sau Technique- This teaches you to extract your whole attention from outer distractions and makes you focus on methods of achieving your goal. The spiritual approach towards this technique is to direct your concentration inwards to generate your cosmic consciousness.

The OM technique-  ‘Om’ is believed to be the sound of the universe. There are different mantras and phrases that help a practitioner focus inwards and calm their mind. This technique helps you to connect with your higher self and make you aware of your body and mind. The goal of this technique is to push your psychic energy upwards through the spines.

The basic kriya yoga steps (how to do kriya yoga meditation):

• Sit with your legs crossed below the pelvis on a comfortable flat surface.
• Sit in the lotus position and touch your finger and thumb with each other slightly.
• Keep your spine straight, close your eyes and relax your body for about 5 minutes.
• Concentrate on a single thought this way you can calm your mind and channel your thoughts.
• Follow this same practice for 20 minutes every day.

Kriya meditation is best for women’s health as they go through a lot of pressure in their daily life and being at peace with yourself is very important in order to be in peace with others. Other benefits of Kriya Yoga meditation include –

•    Reduces blood pressure, increases muscle flexibility while strengthening your spine.
•    Cures mental and emotional damage. Kriya yoga has the ability to reverse your  negative thoughts into positive thoughts.
•    Increases self-confidence.
•    Enhances pain tolerance level while the menstrual cycles and pregnancy.
•    Increases concentration and memory.

As yoga is an ancient practice many great leaders and Yogi’s mastered this, some prominent names that come to mind are Swami Vivekananda, Paramahansa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev etc. They are some of the most influential people who have been practising Yoga for the longest time. Taking a page from their book we must step forward towards a life that is influenced by positive practices like Kriya Yoga.

Are you hitting the mat today?