Kriya yoga is a system in yoga that aims to achieve spiritual development and to help you become one with your mind, body, and spirit. As you progress on your spiritual journey you will learn mantras, mudra, and pranayama to help reach a state of peace.
However, if you have no idea what Kriya yoga is, you may be at a complete loss on where to start.
Below are 8 amazing Kriya yoga poses to push your body. You will discover new parts of yourself and overall feel harmonious with your soul. Giving you the power to reach your higher self in difficult situations.
Let’s get into it!
What Is Kriya Yoga?
Lahiri Mahasaya, an Indian yogi, teacher, and follower of Mahavatar Babaji, a Kriya yoga master, resurrected the old yoga style known as Kriya.
Pranayama, mudra, and mantras are used in the specialized exercises that make up kriya yoga. These exercises are meant to hasten spiritual development, promote tranquillity, and lead to communication with God.
This system is for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of their spiritual self and is focused on achieving new ways to communicate with themselves.
8 Amazing Kriya Yoga Poses
1. Kriya Vanakam Asana (Pose of Salutation)
This pose of excellent for strengthening the lower back, spine, and shoulders. Anyone can do it in order to open up the shoulders and activate the crown chakra. It is the first movement of any Kriya yoga routine.
The Pose Of Salutation is the first as it opens up the mind to any thoughts or emotions you may be having. You are going to need the crown of your head to touch the floor or mat in order to complete the pose.
Feet are slightly off the ground while chanting the mantra “Om Kriya Babaji Namah Aum”. This opens you to the yogi of Kriya Asana.
2. Meenasanam (Fish Pose)
The Fish Pose or Meenasanam engages the work and in turn activates the digestive system. Great if you find yourself constipated! By doing this yoga, the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands are stimulated. Cervical issues can be decreased while the spine is strengthened.
Additionally, it strengthens the lungs, allowing for the treatment of conditions like asthma.
This is a more moderate pose as it lengthens the thighs, spine, and neck so take things so and only stretch as far as you can. Begin by lying on your down, toes pointed forward and slowly raise your back to form an arch.
Head tilted back on the floor and tuck your arms under the tailbone for support.
If you are feeling more limber you can tuck your legs under to get a complete stretch. Make sure to hold this position for at least 16 breaths. Allowing air to completely fill and empty the lungs.
3. Amaranth Kokkuasanam (Seated Crane Pose)
This asana can be felt in the spine and hamstrings. This is an excellent pose for reducing blood pressure as you are forced to breathe in and allow the outside world to fall away. It also engages the hips, thighs, and glutes as you breathe into the pose.
Begin sitting on the mat with your legs extended in front of you. Slowly raise your arms above your head and lean all the way forward until you can grab your feet. Extending your torso forward and lengthening the spine.
Hold for 5 breaths before releasing your feet and going back to the starting position. Repeat 5-10 times.
You can practice this pose any time you are feeling disconnected from yourself and feel you need guidance. For those feeling discomforts during the stretch, place a folded towel or mat under the butt for slight elevation.
4. Pambu Asanam (Cobra Pose)
The Cobra Pose is a common pose throughout yoga as a whole. It stretches the spine and opens up the chest for deep breaths. It also aids in removing gas from the stomach and intestines which can lead to improvement in the bowels. So, best to only do this pose at home.
Simply lie flat on your stomach with your hands tucked until the armpits. Push up, head tilted back to form an arc hand the arms are extended. Make sure to keep your toes pointed back and don’t tuck them under.
Keep your pelvis on the ground, and take 5-10 breaths before slowly lowering your chest to the ground. Repeat 3-5 times.
This is a great pose if you feel a strong weight on your chest and need the area cleared before you can move on. It also helps with lowering blood pressure, reducing menstrual cramps, and other discomforts in the body.
5. Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
Padmasana or the Lotus Pose is one of the most recognized yoga poses in the world. It is commonly associated with meditation. However, it is an advanced pose that many beginners and intermediate yogis struggle to master.
You are going to need a good amount of hip flexibility in order to achieve this pose. Many beginners take on the Sukhasana or Easy Pose as an alternative.
However, if you have the ability to master the Lotus Pose you are going to feel more connected to your higher self than ever. It opens the hips, chest, and mind to cleansing.
Many repeat the mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” while in this pose as it is believed to purify, free, and unite the mind, body, and spirit.
6. Tolasana (Scale Pose)
Tolasana is an advancement of the Lotus Pose and requires strong core muscles and arm strength. The arms, wrists, and abdominal muscles are all strengthened with Tolasana. Your digestive system is also stimulated by the deep abdominal work.
Additionally, the hips and wrists become more flexible in this position.
Many find achieving this pose from the Lotus Pose to be too straining on certain joints and muscles. You can do a variation coming from the Easy Pose. Draw the knees towards to chest to help lift the body.
This pose is centered around finding balance. You will achieve equilibrium between your body, mind, and spirit as you learn how to elevate yourself.
7. Halasana (Plow Pose)
Ready to take your body to the next level? The Plow Pose is an inverted yoga pose that stretches the spine and shoulders. This is an excellent way to relax your nerves and clear your mind of any negativity before the end of your routine.
Regular Plow Pose practice reduces stress and exhaustion, enhances memory and focus, and soothes and heals the sympathetic nervous system.
It revitalizes the entire body and feeds the spine. Additionally helpful for sleeplessness, infertility, and headaches is this pose.
This is an advanced pose so it is recommended that only advanced or intermediate yogis give it a go with an instructor nearby for guidance. If not done correctly, it can lead to serious discomfort or even injury in the neck, shoulders, or spine.
When learning the Plow Pose, you may feel more comfortable with a firm blanket placed under the shoulders. Or, if you are struggling to touch the floor with your toes, place a chair behind your head for support.
As your flexibility improves your toes will gradually touch the floor.
8. Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Savasana or Corpse Pose is the ending pose for any yoga routine. While it may appear that you are just lying on the ground, it is one of the most difficult yoga poses to master.
For many students, it takes a lot of practice and patience to be able to lie absolutely still, like a corpse, while being both fully aware of yet detached from the present moment.
Savasana, in contrast to postures that are energetic, moving, and physically taxing, calls for a conscious choice to silence the mind’s chatter and entirely give in to a feeling of presence.
This is when your mind and body as most aware of themselves. Even though there is no movement taking place. You can start to see your life more clearly and with new awareness by engaging in Savasana.
You can handle tension and emotions in your life off the mat thanks to Savasana’s restorative and mind-clearing benefits.
When lying flat on the floor, many find it more comfortable to place a folded blanket under the arch of the back or tailbone.
As you relax into the Corpse Pose you will experience decreased muscle tension, increased energy levels, and heightened self-confidence.
Final Thoughts
Kriya yoga is an incredible, self-focused yoga system that is focused on bringing your mind, body, and spirit together in harmony. Many beginners find the system of Kryia to be difficult as they are not used to shutting off their inner chatter and simply being at peace.
Above is 8 amazing Kriya yoga poses that will not only push your body but will also challenge your mind. It takes time and practice to understand the relationship between you and your higher self so take it slow.
Practice these poses and discover a whole new level of liberation and completeness!
I created this website to help newcomers to yoga and enthusiasts alike, and to share our common passions for yoga.
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