You can take initiation when you've established a consistent meditation practise, learnt the basic meditation techniques that lead to Kriya practise, and become a Yogananda disciple. 


The Energization Exercises, Hong-Sau, and the AUM technique are all preliminary meditation techniques taught in Ananda's basic and advanced meditation courses.


The ordinary person's body, according to Paramhansa Yogananda, is comparable to a fifty-watt light. It can't handle the great transformative energy that frequent Kriya practise brings. The study and preparation process usually takes around a year. You should have a daily meditation practise of an hour and a half by the time you take Kriya Yoga initiation.

Seven Steps to Kriya

Kriya Yoga is an ancient energy and breath control meditation method known as pranayama. It's part of a larger spiritual journey that incorporates other meditation techniques as well as proper living.


For generations, the Kriya technique was kept under wraps. It was resurrected in 1861 when Mahavatar Babaji, a famous yogi, taught it to his follower Lahiri Mahasaya. The technique was then imparted by Lahiri to his disciple Sri Yukteswar, who then passed it on to his followers, including Paramhansa Yogananda.

In his Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda devotes a chapter to "The Science of Kriya Yoga." God Interacts with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita's comments on Chapter IV, verses 1–2, 7–8, and 28–29, as well as Chapter V, verses 27–28, provide a detailed explanation of the yoga principles involved.

Swami Sadhananda Giri of Jujresa Ashram (student of Bhabananda Giri, who is in turn a disciple of Sri Yukteswar Giri) outlines several mudras used in Kriya Yoga in his book Kriya Yoga Mystery and Performing Art.

Guru Pranam: Helps to take energy from 1st to 7th center

Kechari Mudra: Helps to establish Silence and in higher kriyas, activate nectar from 7th also

Hang Sa Technique: Takes you to Silence by balancing the breath

Maha Mudra: Helps to open Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nadis and Kundalini Shakti in higher kriyas

Yoni Mudra also known as Jyothi Mudra: Helps to see the inner light and to visualize spiritual eye in higher kriyas

Brahmari: Helps to establish Pranava the AUM sound

Nabhi Kriya also known as Navi Kriya: Helps to break third knot or Brahma Granthi

Omkara Kriya also known as Thokar Kriya: Different sets of Omkara kriyas are present as one moves to higher kriyas. Helps to open chakras, break knots

Shambavi Mudra: Helps to take one to Samadhi the balanced state in higher kriyas

What are 6 Kriyas?


The six cleansing processes are 
  1. Neti
  2. Kapal Bhati
  3. Dhauti
  4. Basti (Enema)
  5. Nauli
  6. Trataka

These kriyas clean the eyes, respiratory system, food pipe and tone up abdominal viscera and the intestines.