KRIYA YOGA

KRIYA (cleansing, purifying) yoga is the term Patanjali uses in his classical yoga system outlined in the Yoga Sutras.

"Burning zeal in practice (Tapas), self-study and study of the scriptures (Svadhyaya), and surrender to God (Isvara Pranidhana) are the acts of yoga."

These three components are drawn from the Niyamas (observances for self-discipline) listed in the Yoga Sutras. It beautifully expresses a complete practice: intense without being gymnastic... an ongoing psychotherapy for self-awareness... and spiritual without being dogmatic. This Kriya Yoga encompasses all of the major branches of yoga and can be applied to any of the forms popular today.

TAPAS is the burning desire for yoga as well as the heat and purification that results from yoga practice, cleansing impurities of body and mind. Tapas is one-pointed and all-consuming.

SVADHYAYA goes beyond study of scriptures (as it is often translated) to study of our very Being. No book can illuminate this - it comes from direct experience. As this inner wisdom evolves, then life itself becomes our teacher.

ISVARA PRANIDHANA is to recognize and surrender to a higher power - in whatever form you envision. Surrender means to give up our attachment to controlling the outcome of our actions and trust the intelligence and goodness of the universe.

Will and surrender (abhyasa and vairagya) are the two wings of yoga. Svadhyaya mediates between the two, giving us the wisdom to act with skill and grace.