Kriya Yoga Retreat
“There is no-one on the planet who does not have the capacity to wake up. In every bitter or sweet moment lies our enlightenment. Right there in the upheaval of everyday doubts and chaos lies our own pristine wisdom awareness. Kriya yoga is one of the most accessible and yet profound methods of cultivating this presence with the Self.”
What are the Kriyas?
Kriyas are yogic techniques for awakening. The tools used in the Kriyas the chakras (energy centres), the nadis (energy pathways), mudras (psychic attitudes), bandhas (energy locks) and the breath. Kriyas are well known to awaken deeper levels of perception and lead to enlightenment and self-mastery.
The Kriyas are deeply transformative practices that strike right to the heart of the 'sleeping' kundalini energy, stirring, cajoling and awakening it. If you stay with them and be faithful to the instructions, the Kriyas can add a whole new dimension to your yoga practice.
Kriyas are yogic techniques for awakening. The tools used in the Kriyas the chakras (energy centres), the nadis (energy pathways), mudras (psychic attitudes), bandhas (energy locks) and the breath. Kriyas are well known to awaken deeper levels of perception and lead to enlightenment and self-mastery.
The Kriyas are deeply transformative practices that strike right to the heart of the 'sleeping' kundalini energy, stirring, cajoling and awakening it. If you stay with them and be faithful to the instructions, the Kriyas can add a whole new dimension to your yoga practice.
"Despite ourselves, the Kriyas will draw out our beauty in our very own backyard."
Why is Kriya Yoga so Profound?
Generally, yoga systems and practises emphasise single-focused concentration. However, this kind of one-pointedness can be challenging to achieve without creating tension. The mind often does the opposite of what we want it to do. We are so used to running from discomfort. If we do not like what we are feeling, then we avoid it (by seeking diversions), numb out to it, or lash out with it. This is where Kriya yoga is so profound as it utilises the discomfort - the restlessness - as a direct pathway to a naturally arising meditative state.
Course Outline
This 7-day residential course guides aspirants through twenty traditional Kriyas distilled from an original set of seventy that have been transmitted from Kriya teacher to Kriya teacher within the Saraswati lineage. In particular, via Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh, India. It is different to the Kriya yoga taught by Paramahansa Yogananda and his Self-Realisation Fellowship. Like notes of music, it is important to select and combine the right practices in order to have a harmonious effect. This is why receiving the Kriyas as a transmission from an adept Kriya teacher is important. In honour of our late teacher Swami Shantimurti Saraswati, and his birthday having been the 21st August, this year's Kriya course will include the transmission of the 21st Kriya, which is not often taught.
Throughout the week participants will be systematically introduced to the beautiful Kriya sequence culminating in full sessions by the end of the course. This is an outstanding opportunity to learn these practices within the direct teaching environment of the oral tradition of transmission.
In this context, the Kriyas are not widely available and spaces are limited on this course. Be sure to book early.
This is a powerful, advanced set of practices. While not required, it is suggested that you have a regular yoga practice in place before participating in this course.
Generally, yoga systems and practises emphasise single-focused concentration. However, this kind of one-pointedness can be challenging to achieve without creating tension. The mind often does the opposite of what we want it to do. We are so used to running from discomfort. If we do not like what we are feeling, then we avoid it (by seeking diversions), numb out to it, or lash out with it. This is where Kriya yoga is so profound as it utilises the discomfort - the restlessness - as a direct pathway to a naturally arising meditative state.
Course Outline
This 7-day residential course guides aspirants through twenty traditional Kriyas distilled from an original set of seventy that have been transmitted from Kriya teacher to Kriya teacher within the Saraswati lineage. In particular, via Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh, India. It is different to the Kriya yoga taught by Paramahansa Yogananda and his Self-Realisation Fellowship. Like notes of music, it is important to select and combine the right practices in order to have a harmonious effect. This is why receiving the Kriyas as a transmission from an adept Kriya teacher is important. In honour of our late teacher Swami Shantimurti Saraswati, and his birthday having been the 21st August, this year's Kriya course will include the transmission of the 21st Kriya, which is not often taught.
Throughout the week participants will be systematically introduced to the beautiful Kriya sequence culminating in full sessions by the end of the course. This is an outstanding opportunity to learn these practices within the direct teaching environment of the oral tradition of transmission.
In this context, the Kriyas are not widely available and spaces are limited on this course. Be sure to book early.
This is a powerful, advanced set of practices. While not required, it is suggested that you have a regular yoga practice in place before participating in this course.
Booking Information
Date: 18th - 25th July 2018
Time: Thursday 6pm – Thursday 2pm
Location: Ohui Retreat, 758 Ohui Road, Opoutere, Coromandel Penninsula
Cost: $1,200. Repeat attendees $1,000. Please note: A $500 deposit is required to secure your place on the course (course numbers are limited). Full payment is required by 6th July 2018. After this date all payments become non-refundable.
Book: retreat@ashramyoga.com
Time: Thursday 6pm – Thursday 2pm
Location: Ohui Retreat, 758 Ohui Road, Opoutere, Coromandel Penninsula
Cost: $1,200. Repeat attendees $1,000. Please note: A $500 deposit is required to secure your place on the course (course numbers are limited). Full payment is required by 6th July 2018. After this date all payments become non-refundable.
Book: retreat@ashramyoga.com
Roselle on Kriya Yoga
I have embraced the opportunity over time to practice the kriyas with Shantimurti and also with his parents Karmamurti and Bhaktimurti.
As a yoga teacher the first thing I noticed about the kriyas was it combined all the esoteric yoga practices like pranayama, bandha, mudra and chakra locations. I had learnt all these yoga basics over the years through teachers training at Ashram Yoga and I had taught them to yoga classes in isolation but I had never put them all together! That was fun. And powerful. The kriyas are accessible to everyone as they are just a series of techniques.
Using the mind to create pathways in the body which become motorways for energy is awesome! Especially when my mind likes to jump from one internal monotonous monologue to another. The kriya practice improved my concentration in everything I did from listening to golf.
After a practice of the kriyas I remember lying there feeling as high as a kite and very peaceful yet energised. I felt very sure of myself and my direction in life felt purposeful. My connection to everything was real. One time I practiced the kriyas I felt my body dissolve, it just happened then it stopped. It gave me personal insight to the nature of the body and it’s impermanence. Not all my experiences have been positive. However the positive defiantly out way the negative experiences.
The kriya practice very cleverly takes the mind through the process of pratyahara, dharana and dhyana. All too often as a yoga teacher I spent my hours of yoga focused on an asana-based practice with a touch of pranayama and meditation thrown in. Going on retreat (is such a treat) and totally immersing myself in the kriyas, guided by an expert (Shantimurti), without the usual time limitations, gives an actual experience that cannot be written down, it’s got to be experienced. Jump right in.
Namaste,
Roselle
As a yoga teacher the first thing I noticed about the kriyas was it combined all the esoteric yoga practices like pranayama, bandha, mudra and chakra locations. I had learnt all these yoga basics over the years through teachers training at Ashram Yoga and I had taught them to yoga classes in isolation but I had never put them all together! That was fun. And powerful. The kriyas are accessible to everyone as they are just a series of techniques.
Using the mind to create pathways in the body which become motorways for energy is awesome! Especially when my mind likes to jump from one internal monotonous monologue to another. The kriya practice improved my concentration in everything I did from listening to golf.
After a practice of the kriyas I remember lying there feeling as high as a kite and very peaceful yet energised. I felt very sure of myself and my direction in life felt purposeful. My connection to everything was real. One time I practiced the kriyas I felt my body dissolve, it just happened then it stopped. It gave me personal insight to the nature of the body and it’s impermanence. Not all my experiences have been positive. However the positive defiantly out way the negative experiences.
The kriya practice very cleverly takes the mind through the process of pratyahara, dharana and dhyana. All too often as a yoga teacher I spent my hours of yoga focused on an asana-based practice with a touch of pranayama and meditation thrown in. Going on retreat (is such a treat) and totally immersing myself in the kriyas, guided by an expert (Shantimurti), without the usual time limitations, gives an actual experience that cannot be written down, it’s got to be experienced. Jump right in.
Namaste,
Roselle