Kriya Yoga is a scientific art of perfect God Truth union and Self-Realization.

Kriya Yoga is a scientific art of perfect God Truth union and Self-Realization. It was revived by a great Master of India, Babaji Nagaraj, as a synthesis of ancient teachings of the 18 Siddha tradition.

Babaji's Kriya Yoga is a spiritual tradition, wherein one “wakes up” from “dreaming with one’s eyes open.”. Babaji's Kriya Yoga is a path of Self-realization which is comprehensive, as it integrates all of the dimensions of our life. It is a path of self discipline which enables one to live in the world with open-hearted compassion.


This tradition flows directly from the Yoga Siddhas, the perfected masters of Siva Yoga. Kriya Babaji Nagaraj synthesized his Kriya Yoga from techniques taught by the Siddhas, Agastyar and Boganathar. Babaji initiated a great yogi, S.A.A. Ramaiah into these techniques in 1954 and 1955, near Badrinath in the Himalayas.

The first objective of Kriya Hatha Yoga is deep physical and mental relaxation. The body can become purified of many disorders and irregularities by asana. The variety of asana grants flexibility, lightness and buoyancy in the body. The practice of the 18 asana series awakens the energy centers along the spine and kundalini, our potential power and consciousness.


Through the practice of Babaji's Kriya Yoga , one begins to study oneself and to let go of negative habits, desires, fears and other forms of disturbances. One gradually establishes oneself in a new inner Witness perspective, full of peace and joy. As one lets go of the old egoistic perspective, one’s personality is transformed, and one begins to experience oneself as an instrument of love and as a superior creative intelligence, engaged in bringing joy to others and making the world a better place.


The Origin of Kriya Yoga



In 1983, Yogi Ramaiah gave to Marshall Govindan a set of stringent conditions to fulfill as a condition to teach the 144 Kriyas or techniques of Babaji’s Kriya Yoga. Marshall. Govindan had, by 1983, already been practicing Kriya Yoga for more than twelve years, for at least fifty-six hours per week without a break. In addition, in 1981 he had completed a year long silence in retreat, alone, by the seashore in Sri Lanka, engaging in a non-stop practice of Yoga, known as tapas. He told Marshall Govindan that if he fulfilled these conditions he would be authorized to initiate others into the 144 kriyas of Babaji’s Kriya Yoga. It took Govindan three more years to fulfill all of the additional conditions. At that time Yogiar told him simply to wait. Yogiar had often said that once he had brought his students to the feet of the “Guru,” his work with them would be finished. On Christmas Eve, 1988, in a series of profound spiritual experiences, the message came that Govindan was to leave his teacher's ashram and organization and begin initiating others into Kriya Yoga.

Henceforward, Marshall Govindan's life was directed by the Light of the Guru, (with continuing guidance, inspiration and intuition and insight), which focused on “showing the path to others.” Beginning in 1989, his life moved in this new direction; doors opened automatically, and everything facilitated a new mission. Govindan began to share Kriya Yoga with others, first, on weekends, in Montreal, and then in 1991, after the publication of his first book on Kriya Yoga, to persons all over the world. It has been a joy for him ever since to personally share this “light,” this precious spiritual scientific art with more than 10,000 students in more than twenty countries, and to train over sixteen advanced students to do the same.


Kriya Yoga is “Action with Awareness.” It is a means of self-knowledge, of knowing the truth of our being. Babaji's Kriya Yoga incorporates “awareness” in the practice of asanas, pranayama, meditation, mantras, but also teaches us to incorporate awareness in all thoughts, words, dreams and desires, in all actions. This sadhana has the enormous potential to make us more conscious human beings. It requires, however, the willingness of the body, mind, heart and will, to align with the soul’s aspiration for purification and perfection. The sadhana of BKY is a collection of 144 exercises and spiritual practices for Self realization and transformation in all of our five bodies: physical, vital, mental, intellectual and spiritual.