Kriya Yoga is an ancient system of spiritual practice that aims to accelerate the seeker’s path to self-realization by using powerful breath control (pranayama), mantra, meditation, and inner energy awakening techniques.

Main Components of Kriya Yoga

Kriya Yoga involves a set of advanced practices, typically taught in stages by an authorized teacher. While exact methods are kept secret and passed via initiation, they generally include:

  1. Kriya Pranayama:

    • A specific technique of conscious breath control, said to circulate life energy (prana) up and down the spine through the chakras, purifying the nervous system.

    • Each cycle is believed to reduce past karma and accelerate spiritual evolution.

  2. Mantra and Japa: — Repetition of sacred sounds to focus the mind and elevate consciousness.

  3. Meditation:  —Deep inner stillness to merge the mind with the divine Self (Atman).

  4. Moral Foundations (Yama & Niyama):—Ethical living is essential. Honesty, non-violence, self-discipline, etc.

Hatha Yoga is one of the most well-known and widely practiced branches of yoga. It is a physical and energetic system that uses body postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), cleansing techniques (shatkarmas), and meditation to balance the body and mind, and prepare for higher states of consciousness.

Main Components of Hatha Yoga

  1. Asanas – Postures that promote strength, flexibility, and energy flow.

  2. Pranayama – Breath control to regulate life-force energy (prana).

  3. Shatkarmas – Yogic cleansing techniques (e.g., neti, dhauti).

  4. Mudras and Bandhas – Energy seals and locks to channel prana.

  5. Meditation and Concentration – Stillness of the mind.

  6. Nadishodhana – Purification of energy channels (nadis).

 Hatha yoga body cleaning  Shatkarmas (Six Cleansing Techniques )

Purify the internal body, balance doshas, and prepare for deeper practices.

Neti : Nasal cleansing (Jala Neti, Sutra Neti)

Dhauti : Digestive tract cleansing (Vamana, Danta, Vatsara, etc.)

Nauli : Abdominal massage through churning

Basti : Colon cleansing

Kapalabhati : "Skull shining" – forceful exhalation

Trataka : Concentrated gazing, often on a candle