In Yoga there are a number of practices called Kriyas. A branch of Yoga called Kriya Yoga utilises these internal techniques to raise the latent energies and activate new pathways. Paramahamsa Yogananda who went to the USA for the World Parliament of Religions and who delivered a rousing address, popularised Kriya yoga in the West with the “Self-Realisation Fellowship”. Kriya yoga utilises various advanced yogic breathing patterns and combinations combined with energy locks to activate and redirect energy.

According to the yogic anatomy, there are several major energy centres which correspond with the modern anatomical spinal plexuses. These can be activated and energised with these techniques. Additionally, yogic anatomy describes the central, left and right spinal channels called sushumna, ida and pingala, and these may relate to the spinal cord, parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. The purpose of kriya yoga is to channel energy into the main central channel. It is difficult to find exact parallels with modern neuroscience, but neuroscientists are the first to admit that they are still working many things out.

Yogic traditions stipulate that these methods are imparted by a teacher or Guru who fully understands the system and knows which methods are suitable for a student and when. Generally this is a science that is passed down through a lineage of teachers. One modern day yoga master, Sadhguru has made available the Shambhavi Maha Mudra practice. I first experienced this form of Kriya yoga 7 years ago whilst working in India. Having been a regular meditator for 15 years, I was surprised by the potency of this practice and it clearly enabled me to access deeper levels of meditation than ever before.

My current meditation practice is much simpler and more fluid and there are aspects of organised spirituality that don’t appeal to me nowadays. Despite that, I am sure there are many individuals who may benefit from learning Shambhavi. There is a course coming up in Melbourne soon.

If you are struggling to break through in your own spiritual practices or have hit a plateau or your are struggling with other health issues that are not easily treated with conventional medicine, then consider learning Shambhavi Maha Mudra.

In Health and Wellness