Are you on a spiritual path to self-realization? If so, what meditation techniques do you practice? In this guide, we will introduce you to Kriya Yoga, a sacred technique that requires both leading an ethical life and practicing yoga and meditation. That way, you can improve your focus and concentration and live a calm and joyous life. So, what does Kriya Yoga entail? Let’s start with the definition.

What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya Yoga is a yogic practice that focuses on the spiritual benefits rather than the physical benefits of yoga. Hence, it is a spiritual practice that aims at developing your spirit into leading a more conscious and fulfilling life. That is, you aim at enhancing your current life in such a way that your physical, emotional, and psychological survival is no more a concern to you. 

Moreover, unlike hatha yoga that requires hard work and physical exercise, Kriya Yoga relies on growth and expression. 

The Origin and History of Kriya Yoga

“Kri” refers to action, and “ya” means indwelling soul. Hence, the term Kriya stands for becoming aware of the power of the inhaled soul. It is about gaining self-realization while also appreciating the mechanics of human life.

The practice of Kriya Yoga dates back to ancient times when advanced Himalayan yogis practiced it in meditation caves. Still, its first mention in modern times is in 1861 when Mahavatar Babaji, the yoga master, passed the practice to Lahiri Mahasaya. More so, it is the spiritual master Paramahansa Yogananda who later brings Kriya Yoga practice to the west, sparking a spiritual revolution. Kriya Yoga continues to impact the lives of millions of people seeking spiritual enlightenment. 

The Philosophy and Principles of Kriya Yoga

The practice of Kriya Yoga is split into three key components as follows: –

#1: Meditation

Kriya Yoga advocates for a life of discipline. It requires setting sometime every day to allow your consciousness to clear. Indeed, society bombards our minds with lots of distractive thoughts. It could be from social media, local politics, or family demands. Whatever the source of the cloudiness, Kriya yoga requires us to practice breathing awareness meditation every day to refine our nervous system. 

It also requires that we change the functioning and structure of our brains for clarity of thought. In turn, meditation gradually changes the energy system within our body (Kundalini) and makes us attune to higher consciousness and vibrations. Only then can we become aware of our true selves.

#2: Self-Inquiry/Self-Study

The second stage in Kriya Yoga is Vichara or self-inquiry. Here, we examine our current lifestyles against the true self that we strive to become. It is a journey of introspection and discernment, letting go of false perceptions of self and people’s biased opinions. In turn, we ask ourselves questions such as: –

• Who am I?
• What is my true purpose in life?
• What are my values?
• How do I define my energy level? What affects it?
• Can I express the boundary between self and the world?
• What comes to mind when I inhale and exhale during meditation?
• Which yoga pause feels most expansive?
• What inspires me, brings me joy, or matters to me the most right now?
• How do I feel when I nourish my body with healthy food?
• What grounds me?
• What is my definition of success beyond money?
• From what do I want to detach?
• How do I express my creativity?
• Where is my favorite spot for practicing yoga? Why is this spot special to me?
• What does surrender mean to me?
• How do I feel when I clean out or de-clutter my workspace?

Self-study makes us contemplate on ourselves. We inquire about our perception of reality versus the true reality. That way, we seek to understand our sole purpose in the world. 

#3: Surrendered Devotion, Isvarapranidhana

Finally, Kriya Yoga is about ethical living, a life of devotion to seeking spiritual enlightenment. The practice helps us make sense of that unease we have when things don’t turn out the way we want. You know that feeling of groundlessness that goes against our societal norms. 

Our communities require us to hold on to a career, family, or leadership to feel in control. Yet, in Kriya Yoga, we let go of our desire for dominion and surrender all effort.

Benefits of Practicing Kriya Yoga as Part of Your Spiritual Journey

#1: Attaining a Spiritual Awakening

The ultimate goal of Kriya Yoga is experiencing a spiritual awakening. This awakening takes place by doing four fundamental actions: –

• Daily Spiritual Meditation – Kriya Yoga relies on the techniques in Raja Yoga to activate higher consciousness. It is a highly individual experience where the participant can hear voices, see visions, lose or absorb a sense of separateness and have a sense of awe or transcendence.
• Spiritual Contemplation – Here, we observe our thoughts without being judgmental. The practice helps us discover that our feelings reflect how our minds interpret those beliefs. Likewise, we notice that negative emotions arise from our interpretation or judging of thoughts with negativity. 
• Spiritual Reflection – Spiritual reflection refers to studying and reflecting on the Vedic scriptures. Here, we aim to unlock the secrets of leading a peaceful and prosperous lifestyle. Hence, we want to live our lives with sincerity, knowledge, and compassion.
• Spiritual Exploration – Finally, Kriya Yoga allows us to explore different spiritual practices to discover what works for each one of us. 

#2: Physical Benefits

Apart from a spiritual awakening, anyone practicing Kriya Yoga shall experience the following benefits: –

• Improves our moods and overall well being
• Assists in dealing with depression 
• Improves our tolerance to pain
• Helps in managing stress and anxiety
• Lowers high blood pressure and hypertension levels
• Soothes, stimulates, and clarifies the mind and soul
• It helps us regain our self-confidence
• Improves our concentration and memory power

Conclusion

Kriya Yoga believes that when we enhance our roots, we will see the fruits in the form of a spiritual awakening. In turn, this spiritual practice emphasizes coming to an ideal state that determines the quality of our lives. It is about growing beyond our needs and concerns and becoming a karma yogi.

Khechari mudra is one of the mana mudras (head mudras). This powerful mudra is designed to awaken spiritual energies in the body and activate the kundalini. In this article, we will share with you what Khechari mudra is, what its benefits are, and how to properly perform it.

What Is Mudra?

‘Mudra‘ can be translated as ‘seal’ or ‘gesture’. When we do a mudra, it acts as a seal or bond which brings our whole body in alignment with the energy associated with the mudra.

Mudras help us correct the direction of energy in the body, control prana, and improve the psycho-emotional state. Also, with their help, we can eliminate problems in the body and the mind by pressing on particular acupuncture points.

What Is Khechari Mudra?

Kechari mudra is considered preeminent among the mudras, particularly because it is an advanced technique meant to assist the practitioner in reaching a higher state of consciousness.

The name for this mudra comes from Sanskrit. Kha means ‘Brahman‘ or ‘Space’ which is infinite. Chara means ‘Obstacle free moving’ or ‘flying’.

Khechari mudra is mentioned in the fundamental treatises on yoga, for example, in Swami Sivananda mentioned in his works that Khechari mudra is the best of all mudras. Kashmiri philosopher Abhinavagupta, in his works on Kashmiri Shaivism, said that all mudras originated from Khechari.

To put it simply, Khechari mudra is a tongue lock. It is not difficult to make it: you just need to bend the tongue so that the tip rests against the upper palate. And keep your mouth closed while practicing it.

The described technique is suitable for beginners. Those who have mastered the described technique and can hold the tongue in this position for a long time can slowly move the tongue deeper into the larynx as if trying to swallow. According to the treatises, the yogis of the past were able to penetrate their throat with their tongue.

According to the yogins, there is a source in the throat that grants immortality. In addition, the yogis of the past, having “swallowed” the tongue, were able to block their right and left nostrils to perform alternate breathing. However, do not try to do it, especially at the initial stage of the practice.

Khechari Mudra Benefits

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is one of the most authoritative sources on yoga, in the 40th sloka says:

“He who knows the Kechari Mudra, is not troubled by diseases, is not stained with karmas, and is not snared by time”.

Indeed, there are certain points on the back of the palate that are responsible for our health. When we’re pressing on these points with a tongue, the release of secretions occurs, which leads to general health improvement.

Yogis of the past believed that those who master this mudra perfectly will “accelerate the onset of deep states.” We are talking here about the possibility of changing consciousness with the help of practice and directing energy to the upper chakras. Also, Khechari Mudra balances the mind and helps to achieve a state of calm.

The regular practice of Khechari Mudra provides the following benefits:

• opens up blocked salivary glands and prevents painful symptoms of salivary gland disorders;
• activates the parasympathetic nervous system;
• relaxes the body;
• reduces the thoughts;
• draws the mind inwards;
• removes symptoms of aging;
• balances the secretion of the thyroid gland;
• improves metabolism;
• contributes the third eye chakra awakening;
• activates/increases psychic abilites;
• clears the tongue gag and prevents bad breath;
• helps to activate kundalini;
• improves the tone of the voice;
• reduces abdominal fat;
• clears the mind of anger, attachment, and ego;
• increases vitality and energy.

How to Perform?

The instructions listed below have a purely informative purpose. We DO NOT recommend you to practice this mudra without any guidance from an expert teacher.

Instructions:

1. Extend your tongue up and then roll it back to reach as far as you can. Initially, the tongue may barely reach to the hard palate. Do fake swallowing to slide tongue up to the soft palate. Do it 3-4 times until your tongue rests comfortably at the soft palate.
2. Now try to slide your tongue further into the mouth.
3. Reach with your tongue at the bottom of your mouth where it touches the uvula.
4. Once you reach this far, do it 3-4 times to get your tongue comfortable up to this point.
5. Now as your tongue touching the uvula, open your glottis and mouth quickly to blow a bit of air inside the throat.
6. This strong bust of air will push rolled tongue behind the uvula and your tongue will be ready to enter into the nasopharynx.
7. Once tongue makes its way behind the uvula, now its turn to find a place behind uvula from where the tongue doesn’t come to its previous position. This part will come naturally, the tongue will begin slipping but at this moment there would be a strong urge of throwing out tongue.
8. Keep breathing slowly, observe what’s happening inside your mouth.
9. Eventually, your tongue will start slipping into nasopharynx behind the soft palate. This will take tongue to the upmost where it touches a bony structure called the pituitary gland.
10. Up to this point, the tongue has reached beyond the top of the pharynx.
11. When the tongue pressed against this, it gets stimulated. Some fluid will start accumulating in your mouth but saliva wouldn’t be swallowed as long as your tongue remains up.
12. Slowly, bring your tongue down to natural position and you will find the taste of saliva accumulated inside your mouth. In the beginning, the taste of it will be bitter. This is a sign of detoxification of your bodily system. But with practice, you will notice that the bitter taste becomes sweet like honey. It’s called ‘Amrita‘ – the nectar of immortality in Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Duration of the Practice

Start with performing the mudra for 3-5 minutes. Gradually increase the time, bringing it to 1-1.5 hours.

The Bottom Line

Khechari mudra is a powerful mudra that helps us to reach a higher state of consciousness and leads us to immortality. However, if you are a beginner and are not able to do full khechari mudra, a small khechari mudra (nabho mudra) brings many benefits at the physical level. For doing this, simply put your tongue to the soft palate. Give yourself a few months to prepare your tongue for the full mudra practice. Keep in mind that your tongue can be stretched like any other muscle. All you need to do is to be disciplined enough to practice nabho mudra regularly.

Anjali Mudra is a hand gesture that promotes activation, harmonization, and alignment of the energy flows of our bodies. It helps to focus and maintain inner awareness and balance and helps to reconnect with your Higher Self, as well as intuition.

In this article, we will introduce you to this powerful mudra, will explain how to practice it, and will share with you all the benefits of practicing this mudra.

Let’s get started.

What Is Mudra?

‘Mudra‘ can be translated as ‘seal’ or ‘gesture’. When we do a mudra, it acts as a seal or bond which brings our whole body in alignment with the energy associated with the mudra. 

Placing the hands and palms in a particular way, as in a mudra, regulates the flow of energy and redirects it to a particular area of the body, depending on the mudra assumed. By connecting the fingers in certain combinations, we activate the meridians and direct energy throughout the body. Different positions of the fingers can close or clear the energy channels. In addition, performing this or that mudra, we affect the biologically active points of the palms and fingers.

Mudras help us correct the direction of energy in the body, control prana, and improve the psycho-emotional state. Also, with their help, we can eliminate problems in the body and the mind by pressing on particular acupuncture points.

Each finger of the hand corresponds to certain energy. And each phalanx of each finger is responsible for a specific part of the body.

The index finger is associated with knowledge, wisdom, and self-confidence. It is connected to our life force.

The middle finger is responsible for patience and the ability to control feelings. This finger is connected to the heart and Anahata chakra.

The ring finger is responsible for health and vitality. This finger is connected to the respiratory and nervous systems.

The pinkie is associated with the creative component of the personality and the ability to see beauty. This finger is responsible for the pelvic organs.

The thumb is responsible for our ego, will, and logic. Also, this finger is associated with wisdom, mind, and awareness.

In addition, each finger is connected with different parts of the body and internal organs. For example, the upper phalanx of the thumb is a “projection” of the head. The ring and middle fingers correspond to the right and left foot, and the pinkie and index fingers correspond to the right and left hand.

By performing mudras with your hands, you definitely stimulate those parts of the body and organs that are directly connected to the energy channels that pass through the palms and fingers.

5 Fingers And 5 Elements

Did you know that each one of your fingers is associated with one of the 5 elements?

Thumb represents the Fire element (Agni).

The index finger is associated with the energy of the Air element.

The middle finger is responsible for the Ether.

The ring finger connects us to the energy of the Earth.

The pinkie represents Water.

Thus, by performing mudras, you redistribute the energy in your body. You regulate its flow through the opening and closing of energy channels as you do when practicing Hatha yoga. The only difference is that in Hatha yoga you achieve this effect by taking different body poses whereas in Yoga Mudras you do the same but with your fingers.

When in Anjali Mudra all fingers and their tips come in close contact with each other, all elements of the body are activated. When this mudra is practiced regularly, all elements of the body and all tissues and components made out of them stay balanced. This contributes to the balance of overall physical and mental health. It also keeps the entire physical and spiritual system of the human body energized and synchronized.

What Is Anjali Mudra?

If you ever have attended even one yoga class, this gesture should be familiar to you: the drawing together of one’s palms at the heart. You may see how yoga practitioners would bring their hands together while saying “Namaste” at the beginning or end of a class.

Anjali means “offering”. It is often accompanied by the word “namaste.”

Anjali mudra is used as a gesture of returning to one’s heart when people greet or say goodbye to each other. As you bring your hands together at your center, you are connecting the right and left hemispheres of your brain. This is the yogic way of unification, the yoking of our active and receptive natures (unification of SO and CHA in LAN). In the yogic view of the body, the energetic or spiritual heart is visualized as a lotus at the center of the chest. Anjali mudra is designed to nourish this lotus heart with awareness, gently encouraging it to open.

Thus, by practicing Anjali Mudra, we’re opening our spiritual hearts and performing offerings to the divine.

Anjali Mudra Benefits

The regular practice of Anjali mudra provides the following benefits:

• Promotes activation, harmonization and alignment of the energy flows of our body
• Helps to establish contact with your higher self, inner divine source
• Provides flexibility of the wrists and arm joints
• Creates a sense of harmony, balance and peace
• Enhances concentration
• Stimulates the Heart chakra (Anahata)
• Calms the mind
• Stimulates the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
• Boosts your intuition and psychic abilities
• Relieves stress
• Improves focus during meditation
• Promotes inner awareness and mindfulness
• Increases memory prowess
• Connects the hemispheres of the brain improves their coordination and functioning
• Optimizes brain functions and coordination
• Brings together intuition and logic, feminine and masculine, and the strength and sensitive energies of our being
• Balances glandular functions
• Improves the circulation of oxygen in the blood
• Balances breathing patterns
• Reduces depression, stress, and anxiety
• Boosts immunity

How to Perform?

Anjali Mudra is the easiest mudra to learn. To practice Anjali mudra, follow these simple steps:

1. Come into a comfortable sitting position (alternatively can be performed in a standing position).
2. Keep your spine lengthened while sitting comfortably straight.
3. Extend the back of your neck by dropping your chin slightly in.
4. Keep your palms open.
5. Slowly draw your hands together at the center of your chest. The palms are placed gently against one another in front of the Heart chakra (Anahata). The fingers point upward.
6. From inside, broaden your shoulder blades to spread your chest open.
7. Bring your elbows into alignment with your wrists, into a straight line.
8. Close your eyes and focus your awareness inwards. Feel the two different aspects of your energy coming together in balance and harmony (masculine and feminine, intuition and logic, and so on). Notice the vibrations in your body and how your heart center becomes a place of your connectedness. Focus on balance. Stay in this posture for some time and experience the balance.
9. From here you can begin your meditation, yoga practice, mantra chanting, or other spiritual practice.

The Bottom Line

By calming the mind, improving focus, and promoting awareness, Anjali Mudra helps us to discover inner peace and our synchronization with the creation. When we practice this beautiful mudra daily, we become more balanced, more connected to our Higher Selves, and more aligned with our spiritual mission. By making this mudra our daily practice, we reconnect ourselves with the Divine plan and transmute our dualistic minds into the Higher forms of consciousness.