About Kriya Yoga

What is Kriya Yoga?

Kriya Yoga is a form of meditation that leads us to the experience of inner stillness. The first level of Kriya Yoga consists of 6 techniques, which you can learn by becoming a member.

The techniques are based on combining breath and awareness to release whatever holds us back. They are easy to practice while also delivering fantastic results! Through the practice of Kriya Yoga, you learn to regulate your breathing, and then you will find that your emotions and thoughts become regulated as well. Gradually, mental noise is reduced, and you gain a deep experience of inner stillness, an infinite presence of peace and happiness. The inner journey moves from thoughts - to breath - to stillness. And you carry the experience of contentment and peace into your daily life.

Kriya Yoga is a path inward to self-realization and deep inner peace. The techniques you learn have been developed and tested over centuries.

Kriya Yoga was popularized by Paramahansa Yogananda in the book "Autobiography of a Yogi," which was published in 1946.

This is the Kriya Yoga tradition.

Get to know our Kriya Yoga teachers and the lineage of this ancient meditation technique

Mahavatar Babaji

"Mahavatar" means "Divine Incarnation," a title given to Babaji. Babaji is said to incarnate himself whenever necessary to revive the flame of Kriya Yoga. He is known as the immortal mahavatar who, in 1861, bestowed Kriya Yoga initiation upon Lahiri Mahasaya, thus reintroducing this ancient meditation technique to the world.

Babaji introduced Kriya Yoga as a powerful method of meditation for spiritual awakening and self-realization. He emphasizes the importance of direct spiritual experience through meditation and self-discipline, and he has inspired countless seekers on their spiritual journey. Babaji lives in seclusion in the Himalayan mountains, but his spiritual influence and guidance reach his followers around the world.

Sri Lahiri Mahasaya

Lahiri Mahasaya, a central figure in the Kriya Yoga tradition, was a spiritual master renowned for reintroducing the ancient meditation technique of Kriya Yoga to modern society. He was born in 1828 in Bengal, India, and led a life that combined spiritual practice with family life and a career as a government employee.

His encounter with Mahavatar Babaji in the Himalayas, where he received initiation into Kriya Yoga, marked a turning point in his life and for many seeking souls around the world.

Lahiri Mahasaya taught that the direct experience of the divine can be achieved through inner purification and meditation, and that Kriya Yoga is a universal practice open to all regardless of religious background.

He emphasized the importance of living a balanced life, where spiritual practice is integrated into daily life, and he inspired thousands to pursue the spiritual path while maintaining their worldly duties.

Throughout his life and teachings, Sri Lahiri Mahasaya conveyed a message of simplicity, love, and unity, and his teachings continue to influence and guide spiritual seekers worldwide. His legacy lives on through his disciples and the many writings he left behind, which remain core texts for students of Kriya Yoga.

Sri Yukteswar Giri

Sri Yukteswar Giri, a distinguished spiritual teacher and guru in the Kriya Yoga tradition, was known for his deep insights and understanding of spiritual scriptures as well as for his role in uniting science and spirituality. Born in 1855 in Serampore, India, he was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya and played a key role in advancing the teachings of Kriya Yoga to the modern society.

Sri Yukteswar was a man of great wisdom and authored the work "The Holy Science," in which he explores the connections between Eastern spiritual teachings and Western scientific thought. The book attempts to demonstrate the unity among the various religious traditions of the world and emphasizes the universal truths underlying all spiritual pursuits.

As the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the most renowned spiritual teachers of the 20th century, Sri Yukteswar prepared his disciple for an important task—to spread Kriya Yoga in the West. Through his strict yet loving guidance, he helped Yogananda realize his spiritual potential and prepare to bring the wisdom of the East to a global audience.

The life and teachings of Sri Yukteswar Giri testify to the timeless appeal and relevance of Kriya Yoga as a path to spiritual awakening and harmony between body, mind, and spirit. His contributions to spiritual practice and philosophy continue to inspire and guide seekers on their journey towards inner peace and self-realization.

Sri Swami Narayana Giri

As a direct disciple of Swami Sriyukteshwar Giri, he played a crucial role in preserving and spreading the authentic techniques and wisdom of Kriya Yoga to new generations.

Swami Narayana Giri lived a life of service and spiritual practice, and his teachings emphasized the importance of self-realization and inner transformation through meditation. He was known for his deep understanding of yogic scriptures and his ability to convey complex spiritual concepts in an accessible manner.

Through his work, Swami Narayana Giri inspired many seekers on their spiritual path, and his legacy continues through his disciples and the many lives he touched. His contributions to the Kriya Yoga tradition are still valued by practitioners around the world.

Sri Swami Shankarananda

Swami Shankarananda Giri is a spiritual teacher and a master in the Kriya Yoga tradition. He is known for his commitment to spreading Kriya Yoga techniques and spiritual wisdom, not just in India, but also internationally. He has dedicated his life to teaching meditation and spiritual practice, with a special focus on helping individuals achieve deeper self-understanding and inner peace.

Swami Shankarananda was initiated into Kriya Yoga by Swami Narayana Giri, a direct disciple of Swami Sriyukteshwar Giri, who in turn was the guru of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Per H. Wibe

Per is a mentor for Kriya Yoga Norway and has been engaged in spiritual practice since 1976. He began giving Kriya Yoga initiations in 1997, always emphasizing that the inner experience is due to Life itself, not his personal power.

He is rooted in the Mahavatar Babaji tradition through his teacher, Swami Shankarananda Giri, and has balanced a regular family life with business activities while dedicating his free time to meditation and teaching for four decades.

Per leads his students towards the essence of the practice: a state of non-duality and a deep, inner stillness. With over twenty years of experience teaching Kriya Yoga internationally and ten years specifically in India, he conveys personal experiences and insights that inspire a deeper understanding of the power of meditation.

Erlend Falck

Erlend is the founder and managing director of Kriya Yoga Norway. He began his meditation journey at the age of 21 in 1992. In 1996, he learned Kriya Yoga from Swami Shankarananda Giri and has since dedicated himself to practicing this powerful technique for nearly 30 years.

Later, Per Wibe became Erlend's teacher in Kriya Yoga, and after close collaboration with Per since 2012, Erlend was authorized to become a teacher of Kriya Yoga himself. Since 2014, he has been conducting regular courses and retreats, and now he also offers online teaching and individual guidance.