Kriya Yoga had been practiced in India since times unknown and is still practiced for spiritual growth. The earliest reference of Kriya Yoga can be traced back to Patanjali`s Yoga Sutras. In Sadhana Pada, the first text, Kriya Yoga has been described in the following words:

`Tapah Svadhyahya Isvara Pranidhanani Kriya Yoga.` (Sadhana Pada)

Patanjali further states the need for cultivating the virtues that constitute Kriya yoga. These elements are purity (Saucha) and contentment (Santosha). Although practiced in ancient India but the technique was forgotten later. Lahiri Mahasaya rediscovered the methods of Kriya Yoga and taught it to his disciples, among which Paramhansa Yogananda was the most famous.

Kriya yoga is the unique technique of highlighting the relationship between the mind and the breath as it is the mind which influences the breath and again breath influences the mind. It is the science of controlling the mind, as "Breath control is self-control. Breath mastery is self mastery" Kriya Yoga is completely non-sectarian. Its easy techniques cause no hardships or austerities and were developed for aspiring householders as well as for the monks.

History of KriyaYoga: Kriya Yoga dates back to the thousands of years ago. It has its mention in the Bhagavad Gita. According to the history of Kriya Yoga it was Lahiri Mahasaya who revived the methods of Kriya Yoga and taught it to his disciples, among which Paramhansa Yogananda was the most famous. Lahiri Mahasaya learnt it from his guru Sri Babaji. Although it was popularised by Lahiri Mahasaya, it must be remembered that he was not the founder of Kriya yoga.

Concept of Kriya Yoga: Kriya simply means `to work.` The basic tenet of Kriya Yoga lies in its technique of controlling the life force. By practicing it, the Yogi is able to overcome all the hindrances of life and become able to unite with the divine lord. Kriya Yoga starts with Pranayama.

Science of Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga is the union or Yoga with the Infinite through a certain action or rite. It is the science of decarbonizing the body whilst recharging it with oxygen through some simple breathing techniques. Ideally therefore Kriya Yoga is the psychophysical method by which human blood is decarbonized and recharged with oxygen. The extra oxygen is then transmuted into life current to rejuvenate the brain and the spinal centres. The decay of body tissue is prevented by stopping the accumulation of the venous blood. The advanced Yogis can draw pure energy by transmuting their cells.

Methods of Kriya Yoga: Kriya Yoga method is more direct than other Yoga practices. The practitioner of Kriya Yoga technique can control the life force by mentally drawing the energy up and down along the spine.

Technique of Kriya Yoga: the techniques of Kriya Yoga have been designed on the movement of the sun with its planets and satellites. According to Hinduism, such a movement brings out the inherent virtues in an individual. The techniques of Kriya yoga have the power to control the most perplexed of minds.

From times immemorial Kriya yoga was practiced by sages or sadhus who had renounced the material world. But for the first time Lahiri Mahasaya brought this esoteric doctrine to the realm of the material world. Even after, him sages and yogis in India have contributed considerably in propagating Kriya Yoga.