Leo why did you stop practicing Kriya Yoga?

[QandC]

Also it's extremely difficult 😭

I've been doing it off and on for ~3 years and I have yet to truly learn it. It can also be dangerous. I'd honestly suggest a mentor/teacher for this one specific practice. 

[jacknine119]

Guys can i practice Kriya yoga online? I can't find any normal video on the Youtube.

[kieranperez]

5 hours ago, jacknine119 said:

Guys can i practice Kriya yoga online? I can't find any normal video on the Youtube.

Find a teacher who will initiate you into the practice.  Read prior comments. 

[Panteranegra]

@Ayham

On 09/12/2024 at 4:23 PM, Ayham said:

Thank you for your very detailed answer, I read it multiple times and understood it well.

My questions are:

I have no option for initiation, I live in a part of the world that does not provide that option, what would you recommend from your knowledge?

and what techniques does your routine consist of?

 

Practicing from books have lead me to a lot of confusion due to the differences between various others, and I keep jumping around rather than sticking to something.

You can learn Kriya Yoga techniques online through videos and books (that’s exactly how I started), but it requires patience, as the techniques involve many intricate details. However, you don’t need to master numerous Kriya Yoga techniques to benefit. The main practice is Kriya Pranayama, which is the core technique you should focus on. I personally practice 108 Kriya Pranayamas every day. I also include 5 to 10 minutes of Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) in my routine. While it isn’t a formal Kriya Yoga technique, it facilitates the flow of prana into the Sushumna Nadi (central energy channel), enhancing the effectiveness of Kriya pranayama . Once you’ve learned Kriya Pranayama, you can complement it with other techniques, but always make Kriya Pranayama your priority and keep your practice simple. Advanced techniques don’t necessarily make your practice better. To emphasize, Kriya Pranayama is a complete technique in itself and forms the core of what this lineage's gurus teach .

Historically, Kriya Yoga was a secret practice, designed to protect and preserve its purity from being misunderstood or diluted.

The purpose of a Kriya Yoga guru is to transmit the teachings as clearly and authentically as possible. A true guru not only teaches the techniques but also helps transfer Shaktipat (spiritual energy) to the student.

Do I recommend finding a guru? If you can find one who resonates with you, absolutely—it can help you progress faster and deepen your spiritual evolution. However, do you need a guru? Not necessarily.

Keep in mind that, according to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a true guru must meet three key qualifications:

• Their brain should produce Soma, a blissful nectar, within themselves.
• They must have their prana flowing freely through the Sushumna Nadi (central energy channel).
• They should be able to enter elevated states of consciousness at will.

In other words, most so-called "spiritual teachers" are not qualified to teach Kriya Yoga at the highest level. If you can’t find a guru, your best option is to learn the techniques as cleanly and accurately as possible. With consistency, patience, and commitment to your practice, you can still make significant progress on your own.

My guru lives in Chile, while I live in Spain, and I plan to visit him next year to receive Diksha (initiation) and Shaktipat. However, he assured me it’s not strictly necessary, as the practice itself will eventually awaken these energies. If you have the chance to receive the transmission, go for it—but if not, trust that the techniques will guide you in time.

If you need additional guidance, I recommend exploring Ryan Kurczak’s work. He is an advanced disciple of Roy Eugene Davis, who was a direct disciple of Yogananda. Ryan has a well-established YouTube channel and podcast about Kriya Yoga, and he may offer online initiations, although I’m not certain. Personally, I work with Chris Sartain because my main language is Spanish, and I prefer learning from someone who speaks it.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Panteranegra

[Thought Art]

@Panteranegra What videos did you use?

[Mohammad]

There are millions of roads that lead to God. Leo must find his, and everyone of us must find our own. Maybe Yoga works for you, and not me. Same with psychedelics. But always be ware of self deception. Are you sure you don't like yoga, or your mental beliefs are making you dont like it and not benefit from it? For me, combination of these two seems ok. And sometimes they both seem pointless, and I gravitate toward what I can call western philosophy. Sometimes nature. There is no one way. I think Leo is intelligent enough to see that.

[Javfly33]

@Panteranegra  @Thought Art

@Ayham @jacknine119

You are not supposed to learn yoga from a book or online

 

 

Edited December 11, 2024 by Javfly33

[PurpleTree]

5 hours ago, Mohammad said:

There are millions of roads that lead to God. Leo must find his, and everyone of us must find our own. 

Actually seemingly there are no roads. How could a road lead to what already is all there is?

[Thought Art]

@Javfly33 I take courses online is a great way to learn. Depends on technique you are learning.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Thought Art

[Javfly33]

10 minutes ago, Thought Art said:

@Javfly33 I take courses online is a great way to learn. Depends on technique you are learning.

In my understanding it said to not learn in such a way because of two things:

1. Is difficult to get all the nuances and details of the poses/breathing etc through online
2. But secondly and I think most importantly, the atmosphere is not conducive to treat the Yoga you are being taught as an ultimate device for awakening.

I think this second point is the most important and why sadhguru says to not learn it through those 'cheap ways'.

I think the problem is not that they can not be legit ways for awakening, but is in the way it is communicated that the power they offer can be lost.

For example as you can see in this topic, there are several people including Leo that started practicing Kriya Yoga and then discard it.

In my view of things, the process of yoga is supposed to be a path if you chose it to be, it is supposed to be for you an ultimate device for your awakening. However people take it as mere exercises, just do this kriya, do this other thing, this didn´t worked for me etc...

It becomes downplayed it as a gymnastic exercise, in that moment, the power is completely lost. People realize, this is going nowhere, and conclude that yoga wasn´t for them.

In my opinion this happens because what is said in the video above, they are not serious enough in to what they are getting into. You just can not drop a Kriya in 2 months because it is not working for you. A Kriya is supposed to be a tool for a lifetime, doesn´t matter if it doesn´t work you do it for 20 years if is necessary, because the device has been transmitted , it will eventually work. You just have to fire it up, put gasoline in the tank.

But the way people understand a kriya through a book is: Ok let me try it, oh it doesnt work. Yeah im going to drop it. See? Is like you change your wife for a microwave the third day after you marry her because you had an argument with her and you got disappointed. 

So people get married to create also a certain atmosphere of commitment and respect. So you understand the bond is important, supposed to be for a lifetime, you are not going to drop it the third day you have an argument. 

Edited December 11, 2024 by Javfly33

[Thought Art]

@Javfly33 Good points. I do think that video makes things way easier than with a book. Books are such a slow and uncertain way compared to video.

I admit, I have only done a little bit of Krya from books on Leo's book list. And, ironically to your post I have done some Krya from Sadghuru's videos on youtube. 

But, I have found Kundalini Yoga and Pranayama to be very powerful, essentially psychedelic experiences. They also do a lot of good for the energy. I learn these online. Though, my introduction to Kundalini Yoga was in person.

I can't comment fully to Yoga being the ultimate device to awakening because, I just find that epistemically slippery. I pull from Qigong, Yoga, Shamanic practices, psychedelics, etc. I am not really that interested in one path only.

I do think that in person instruction is very valuable, maybe even more so at times. But, that being said I think plenty of people learn Yoga of various forms, Qigong of various forms, Breathwork of various forms, meditation of various forms with their phone, you tube, online courses. In person is valuable as well. But, there is pros and cons to each medium.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Thought Art

[Panteranegra]

8 minutes ago, Javfly33 said:

In my understanding it said to not learn in such a way because of two things:

1. Is difficult to get all the nuances and details of the poses/breathing etc through online
2. But secondly and I think most importantly, the atmosphere is not conducive to treat the Yoga you are being taught as an ultimate device for awakening.

I think this second point is the most important and why sadhguru says to not learn it through those 'cheap ways'.

I think the problem is not that they can not be legit ways for awakening, but is in the way it is communicated that the power they offer can be lost.

For example as you can see in this topic, there are several people including Leo that started practicing Kriya Yoga and then discard it.

In my view of things, the process of yoga is supposed to be a path if you chose it to be, it is supposed to be for you an ultimate device for your awakening. However people take it as mere exercises, just do this kriya, do this other thing, this didn´t worked for me etc...

It becomes downplayed it as a gymnastic exercise, in that moment, the power is completely lost. People realize, this is going nowhere, and conclude that yoga wasn´t for them. In my opinion this happens because what is said in the video above, they are not serious enough in to what they are getting into. You just can not drop a Kriya in 2 months because it is not working for you. A Kriya is supposed to be a tool for a lifetime, doesn´t matter if it doesn´t work you do it for 20 years if is necessary, because the device has been transmitted , it will eventually work. You just have to fire it up, put gasoline in the tank.

But the way people understand a kriya through a book is: Ok let me try it, oh it doesnt work. Yeah im going to drop it. See? Is like you change your wife for a microwave the third day after you marry her because you had an argument with her and you got disappointed. 

I believe the real issue is not the medium of learning, but the mindset and dedication of the practitioner. Yoga, at its core, is a deeply personal journey. While the presence of a teacher or guru can provide invaluable guidance, the responsibility for progress ultimately lies with the individual. Many of the foundational teachings of yoga have been passed down through written texts, like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika or Autobiography of a Yogi , which were designed to reach seekers beyond the immediate presence of a teacher . These resources have inspired countless practitioners to begin their journey, even when a guru wasn’t immediately accessible.

The concern that learning yoga online or from books might trivialize its depth stems from the assumption that these methods inherently lack seriousness. However, the seriousness of a practitioner is independent of how they were introduced to yoga. A committed individual can achieve profound progress even if they start with a book, while someone attending in-person classes may never fully dedicate themselves to the practice. The key lies in how the practitioner approaches yoga—not the format through which they were introduced to it. Yoga is a tool that requires dedication, patience, and understanding to unlock its full potential, regardless of where or how you learn it.

One of the greatest advantages of books and online resources is their ability to make yoga accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn it. Not everyone has access to a qualified teacher or a spiritual community. These resources act as an entry point for many seekers who might later deepen their practice with a guru when the opportunity arises. To dismiss these entry points entirely risks alienating those who genuinely want to experience the transformative power  of yoga but lack access to traditional methods of learning .

It’s true that some people treat yoga casually or give up quickly, especially if they don’t see immediate results. But this isn’t a problem exclusive to learning from books or online— many students who attend classes or work with teachers also fail to commit long-term. The idea that yoga is a lifelong path, where techniques like Kriya Yoga are practiced consistently, regardless of immediate results, is a mindset issue, not a medium issue. Whether you learn yoga in a studio, from a book, or through an online course, the transformative power comes from approaching it with reverence and persistence.

The role of a guru is important, no doubt, especially in accelerating spiritual progress. However, not everyone has the luxury of a guru nearby. The idea that yoga cannot be effective without a guru can create unnecessary barriers for sincere seekers. The truth is, yoga techniques, when learned correctly and practiced diligently, retain their power, even if a teacher isn’t physically present. In modern times, many reputable teachers and lineages have embraced online platforms to share their teachings, bridging the gap between accessibility and tradition.

[Panteranegra]

11 hours ago, Thought Art said:

@Panteranegra What videos did you use?

I took an initiation course with the master I mentioned earlier, and he shared videos with me that he had learned from his guru and Yogananda’s teachings. To be honest, these techniques are essentially the same as those written in Sanatana Ganama and the Kriya Yoga books listed on Leo’s book list. These practices are no longer a secret—they’re widely available.

You’ll notice that techniques are taught slightly differently across various lineages. This is because Lahiri Mahasaya adjusted the techniques slightly for each student, tailoring them to their specific needs. However, these differences are usually minor. For example, some traditions instruct you to focus on the Ajna chakra during Kriya Pranayama, while others suggest placing your attention on the crown chakra.

This is why it’s important to remain skeptical of anyone claiming to have the “one true” or “real” technique. The core of Kriya Yoga remains the same across lineages, and what truly matters is your consistency and dedication to the practice.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Panteranegra

[Thought Art]

Weird my response disappeared. 
 

I basically said that learning online is a viable option for many forms of Yoga: Kundalini, Tantra, Pranayama, Hathaway. And for many forms of Qigong and meditation. 
 

In person can be great as well.

My intro to Kyra was videos Sadhguru had on YouTube. 
 

@Panteranegra Thank you!

Edited December 11, 2024 by Thought Art

[Ishanga]

9 hours ago, Panteranegra said:

I believe the real issue is not the medium of learning, but the mindset and dedication of the practitioner. Yoga, at its core, is a deeply personal journey. While the presence of a teacher or guru can provide invaluable guidance, the responsibility for progress ultimately lies with the individual. Many of the foundational teachings of yoga have been passed down through written texts, like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika or Autobiography of a Yogi , which were designed to reach seekers beyond the immediate presence of a teacher . These resources have inspired countless practitioners to begin their journey, even when a guru wasn’t immediately accessible.

The concern that learning yoga online or from books might trivialize its depth stems from the assumption that these methods inherently lack seriousness. However, the seriousness of a practitioner is independent of how they were introduced to yoga. A committed individual can achieve profound progress even if they start with a book, while someone attending in-person classes may never fully dedicate themselves to the practice. The key lies in how the practitioner approaches yoga—not the format through which they were introduced to it. Yoga is a tool that requires dedication, patience, and understanding to unlock its full potential, regardless of where or how you learn it.

One of the greatest advantages of books and online resources is their ability to make yoga accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn it. Not everyone has access to a qualified teacher or a spiritual community. These resources act as an entry point for many seekers who might later deepen their practice with a guru when the opportunity arises. To dismiss these entry points entirely risks alienating those who genuinely want to experience the transformative power  of yoga but lack access to traditional methods of learning .

It’s true that some people treat yoga casually or give up quickly, especially if they don’t see immediate results. But this isn’t a problem exclusive to learning from books or online— many students who attend classes or work with teachers also fail to commit long-term. The idea that yoga is a lifelong path, where techniques like Kriya Yoga are practiced consistently, regardless of immediate results, is a mindset issue, not a medium issue. Whether you learn yoga in a studio, from a book, or through an online course, the transformative power comes from approaching it with reverence and persistence.

The role of a guru is important, no doubt, especially in accelerating spiritual progress. However, not everyone has the luxury of a guru nearby. The idea that yoga cannot be effective without a guru can create unnecessary barriers for sincere seekers. The truth is, yoga techniques, when learned correctly and practiced diligently, retain their power, even if a teacher isn’t physically present. In modern times, many reputable teachers and lineages have embraced online platforms to share their teachings, bridging the gap between accessibility and tradition.

Yoga is like any discipline, its needs a Teacher/Guru/Sifu for sure, at least at the beginning stages which is critical for development.. When I learned Martial Arts, Wing Chun to be specific, there are  many lineages and styles of Wing Chun, I first learned one style from a Sifu, at the sametime I learned from books and videos (this was before the internet was born) from my Sifu's teacher, this helped too, but the primary was my focus and practices schedule and intensity of desire to learn and progress..  Yoga is slightly different in this manner, with Asanas for sure You need a Teacher to teach You the postures and poses and breathing is correct, this can take a long time (unless Your in an intensive training course), but the other things like spiritual Transmission and other such esoteric practices/methods totally require the Guru to be present, not physically present but One being Initated by the Guru and the person being dedicated to just that Guru... Today this is frowned upon because ppl are brought up to independent and self reliant, yes they can do it themselves but it will take lifetimes and not just one lifetime with the Guru's presence and assistance on all levels of what it means to be Human. this is not considered in ppl's minds today, especially in the West.. Everything that the West has borrowed from the East is low quality and bastardised beyond belief, this is true in Martial Arts and Spirituality!! 

[Javfly33]

17 hours ago, Thought Art said:

@Javfly33

I can't comment fully to Yoga being the ultimate device to awakening because, I just find that epistemically slippery.

 🧐

17 hours ago, Thought Art said:

I pull from Qigong, Yoga, Shamanic practices, psychedelics, etc. I am not really that interested in one path only.

 

All roads lead to Rome, but if you walk into one road, and then go to the other one, you have to go back, then change road again, go back, etc... will you ever get to Rome? 

Or maybe you want to create your own road

[Javfly33]

7 hours ago, RightHand said:

Or maybe "the road" is just a model that's not perfect.

What you mean a model?

 

On 11/12/2024 at 3:22 PM, Panteranegra said:

 

 

[Thought Art]

9 hours ago, Javfly33 said:

 🧐

All roads lead to Rome, but if you walk into one road, and then go to the other one, you have to go back, then change road again, go back, etc... will you ever get to Rome? 

Or maybe you want to create your own road

Realistically, it doesn’t work like this in practice. It’s your body and it’s a holistic system. The titles attached to the techniques or their schools of origin being separate is a mental construct. 
 

You could take All these yoga techniques and Qigong techniques, and combine them into a holistic psycho-somatic energetic practice and it will help you develop yourself very deeply. In the age of information this is possible. These systems weave and compliment each other. I mainly combine right now meditation, pranayama and Qigong. Though, plan to study the others in more depth once I gain more mastery of these. 
 

Though, Qigong is my main practice. If I wanted I could call all these yogic breathing techniques forms of Qigong. But, that loses the cultural relevance. But, in truth it’s all just Qigong. 
 

Qigong mean being skilled with your life force energy. Each breathing technique, yoga sequence, Qigong technique etc are all part of the toolkit for working with the life force energy. 
 

Please note I am a student of Integral Metatheory. The Idea of creating an integral, holistic practice. Not, picking a pet school. 

Edited December 12, 2024 by Thought Art

[Javfly33]

2 hours ago, Thought Art said:

Realistically, it doesn’t work like this in practice. It’s your body and it’s a holistic system. The titles attached to the techniques or their schools of origin being separate is a mental construct. 
 

You could take All these yoga techniques and Qigong techniques, and combine them into a holistic psycho-somatic energetic practice and it will help you develop yourself very deeply. In the age of information this is possible. These systems weave and compliment each other. I mainly combine right now meditation, pranayama and Qigong. Though, plan to study the others in more depth once I gain more mastery of these. 
 

Though, Qigong is my main practice. If I wanted I could call all these yogic breathing techniques forms of Qigong. But, that loses the cultural relevance. But, in truth it’s all just Qigong. 
 

Qigong mean being skilled with your life force energy. Each breathing technique, yoga sequence, Qigong technique etc are all part of the toolkit for working with the life force energy. 
 

Please note I am a student of Integral Metatheory. The Idea of creating an integral, holistic practice. Not, picking a pet school. 

Look, Spirituality is not vanguardistic cuisine. This is not art class, the point is not being Creative and showing what you can do.

When we enter into a millenia practice such as Yoga (or Qigong as in your case) we enter clearly understanding that we are dumb idiots. We dont go stopping the Teacher and telling him "Wait, i prefer to put my knee in this way" or "Let me just add this other thing from Kung Fu".

People who think they are smart, they have to make something of their own, they have to leave a signature. And eventually they end Up destroying the practice for them. If they dont actually destroy It for more people by creating a school on their own, as has happened with lots of types of Yoga created by americans (coincidence? @Ishanga 😂)

Because you have some sense that you are not nowhere the level of Buddha, so you dont go creating a technique to feel a realized Creative individual.

Because the point when Spirituality comes is not Creativity or being cool, is not art class, you havent come to the Buddha to feel a genius, you have come to dissolve. 

So you You bow down your head and you Apply with no questioning, instead of telling Buddha how to meditate. That would be wise, If you are the student and not the Teacher.

Simply Understanding the level one is at in Life... You Will wisely choose to either listen or teach, dont you think?

Edited December 12, 2024 by Javfly33

[Thought Art]

@Javfly33 1. We don't generally go for calling people stupid here.... Change your tone before I issue warning points. (though I appreciate your conversation. )

and 2. Study the history of these schools. What I am doing has been done for thousands of years. These systems constantly grow and change. I am actually studying and practicing these skills everyday not just sitting here talking about them. That is the difference between our approach. You have your opinion, I am out practicing.

I am not creating a technique, I am studying, practicing. Perhaps in 10-20 years I'll have a unique system. 

Pranayama, Qigong and meditation... they are all symbiotic. I am seeing really nice results with my energy. Qigong is really great for overall balancing and it's far more practical for applied usage than Pranayama so far. Though, I think Pranayama is great, fantastic addition to a solid Qigong practice. 

They are both just different ways of working with energy. It's the same energy at the end of the day whether you call it Prana or Qi.

For now I am saying, at the very least that the truth is historically these systems were varied, the techniques were handed around, changed, modified, integrated, seperated, changed, etc. Especially in the history of Qigong. Knowing this history, and with my integral and holistic view I see the potential for integration of systems.

What I am suggesting is not that I know it all. But, being a student of integral metatheory, and it's implications. That, an integral somatic/ energetic practice is powerful.

There are many teachers who already teach Qigong and Pranayama and many schools of Qigong who are creating unique takes on YoQi which is a combination. It's already happening. This evolution of these practices has been happening for thousands of years and only continues through the work of people like me.

I am a certified Qigong teacher who has over a thousand of followers on Youtube. But I am humble and a student. I don't teach Pranayama, and I only teacher certain aspects of Qigong. I am for sure a student, and humble and know little compared to the grand scheme. But, I have a holistic orientation. 

 

---

Note: Perhaps we have gone off on a tangent. I think a useful and interesting one but perhaps it needs it's own thread going forward.

Edited December 12, 2024 by Thought Art