This is the first of the twenty Kundalini Kriyas of Kriya Yoga. If you have not completed my free online course, please download and complete that first.
This kriya is performed from Vipareeta Karani Asana, so assume that posture to begin. Once in this posture, begin Ujjayi Pranayama then close your eyes. When ready to begin the rounds, exhale completely and focus on Manipura in the spine. As you inhale with ujjayi move your concentration along your spine to Vishuddhi, while imagining a hot stream of nectar flowing from Manipura through Anahata to Vishuddhi. Retain the breath and concentration at Vishuddhi for 3 to 4 seconds, while imagining the hot pool of nectar there becoming cool. As you exhale with ujjayi, move your concentration up your spine to Ajna, then over to Bindu and finally up to Sahasrara. In this case imagine your breath is pushing the nectar along this path and injecting it into these points. After exhalation is complete, immediately return your concentration back to Manipura to begin the next round. Complete eleven rounds, then go to the next kriya.
In my two favorite yoga books (and in my course), it is explained how the usual flow of nectar from Bindu to Manipura results in the aging process. From the description, you can see that this kriya is attempting to reverse that process.
A video describing and demonstrating this kriya is presented below.
What is the difference between Mudra and Asana ?
ReplyDeleteHi Hardik,
ReplyDeleteLiterally, Asanas are postures and Mudras are spiritual gestures. In terms of this kriya, the main difference is what you do with your mind.
In the Asana form of this practice you focus on how your entire body feels in the posture, but in the Mudra practice you move the concentration of your mind along your spine as described.
I hope that helps.
Manoj
what is the difference between sarvangasana and vipareeta karani mudra. Also, I have got hypothryoid due to which I have put on a lot of weight and facing skin related problems. can you please advise particular asanas for it?
ReplyDeleteHi Pinky,
DeleteIn my opinion, it is better to seek a complete spiritual practice rather than specific techniques for specific problems. I believe a complete practice is more likely to solve the root cause of the problem being faced. Results may take longer to see, but they will last a lifetime as they come from a permanent change within. See the videos on my Download page.
I hope that helps.
Manoj
Hallo Manoj,
ReplyDeleteIt's really extraordinary that you share these techniques! I have once learned Kriya yoga from a pupil of Satyananda. One technical question: in Vipareeta Karani Mudra you use ujjayi breath, but the tongue is not folded back in Kechari Mudra? In most of the kriyas the tongue is folded, isn't it?
Kind regards,
Åke Strandberg
Sweden
> in Vipareeta Karani Mudra you use ujjayi breath,
Delete> but the tongue is not folded back in Kechari
> Mudra?
That is correct. Starting in kriya 4 and for most of the remaining kriyas, kechari mudra is applied.
Manoj
Dear Manoj,
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You for Your extraordinary efforts!
I was looking for complete Vipareeta Karani Kriya technique, and was very happy to find it at your blog.
Could you please clarify one question for me?
I would like to practice Vipareeta Karani only for 30-40 mins a day (of course I will increase time gradually). Should I perform a counter pose Bhujangasana after it for the same amount of time? So, I guess, my regular routine should be like this: Vipareeta Karani 30 mins, Shavasana 5-10 mins, followed by Bhujangasana 30 mins. Am I right? How about yogas who practice Vipareeta Karani for 2-3 hours? Are they supposed to do Bhujangasana as well? Could you please help me?
Best regards,
Olga Kulak
USA
In the book "Kundalini Tantra", Swami Satyananda recommends Saral Matsyasana for the counterpose, and I imagine 5 minutes would be plenty. I'm sure Bhujangasana is fine too if you prefer. I would suggest Vipareeta Karani 30 mins, Shavasana 5 mins, Counterpose 5 mins. All the best!
ReplyDeleteManoj
hello manoj ji,iam suffering from umblical hernia and iam afraid of surgery.many sites show that this kind of hernia can be healed by yoga asanas.could you please help me in suggesting some asanas for my hernia.some say that vipareeta karani is good for this hernia.waiting for ur suggestion.thankyou.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing for any problem to ensure it is not only healed but never returns is to follow my Kriya Yoga Course 1, 2 and 3, if you are physically able.
DeleteHi Manoj! Thank you for your help and guidance :)
ReplyDeleteMy question is, should I stop practicing this asana during my period?
I've seen some websites saying yes, and some others saying it is fine putting only the legs up on a wall. What would you suggest? Thank you very much in advance!
It sounds like you have been practicing during your period without an issue, so no need to stop if that's the case. All the best!
DeleteWell, in fact I haven't... I'm just starting to learn the Kundalini Kriya Asanas and I saw some sources saying inversions should be avoided while menstruating, but I wasn't sure about how reliable that information was. Should I give it a try?
DeleteThanks!
The general consensus seems to be that you should be more gentle with your body while menstruating. So this particular kriya is usually done for eleven rounds, if you've been doing that without issue, try reducing to one to three rounds when menstruating and see if you feel better or worse.
Deletehi
ReplyDeleteI have a question
You recommend 11 rounds as does Yoga bihar magazine
However in Sarawastis books he recommends 21
which is correct ? was it a typo in two of his books or did he change his recommendation as to the number of rounds ?
thanks in advance
great site !
All of the books provide both a "full" and "reduced" set of rounds. In this case, 21 is for the full set and 11 is for the reduced set. See my Kundalini Kriyas post for both sets of rounds.
ReplyDeleteHey Manoj !
DeleteThanks for your reply to my inquiry
The two books I refer to don't indicate the reduced set of 11. Perhaps they are simply an older edition ?
Anyway thanks again for your attention.
You are correct, it is only my 2007 edition of Kundalini Tantra that has the reduced set of rounds.
Delete