Yoga is a highly adaptable science and art of healthy living and has been interpreted in a number of different ways for specific purposes. One such style of Yoga is Kripalu Yoga, derived from Hatha Yoga, developed by Yogi Amrit Desai in the 1960’s. Kripalu Yoga is named after Desai’s Yoga master, Swami Kripalvanandaji from India. Kripalu is a Sanskrit word which means ‘compassionate’. In keeping with the name, Kripalu Yoga places a lot of emphasis and significance on practicing compassion in one’s everyday life.

Kripalu Yoga is also known as the Yoga of Consciousness. A lot of emphasis is given to ancient Yoga teachings from ancient texts that place importance on inner wisdom. This inner wisdom helps an individual by empowering him and enabling his spiritual growth thus making him more and more compassionate. At the same time, emphasis is given to traditional Yoga Asanas, meditation techniques, awareness of the body as well as relaxation.

The basic premise of Kripalu Yoga is that our Prana, or the ‘life force’ in us, gets easily affected by every thought in our mind. These form obstacles in the proper flow of Prana and lead to disturbances within the body which manifest themselves in the form of imbalances or even diseases and ailments. The practice of Kripalu Yoga makes us aware of this Prana within us, and helps us strengthen and control it, so that it does not get affected easily. This leads to a number of health benefits, namely a healthy body and mind. Kripalu Yoga achieves this result by alleviating tension from our mind as well as our body, by cleansing our internal organs, enhancing blood circulation, energizing the body and finally relaxing it.

There are three stages of Kripalu Yoga. They are as follows:

1. The first stage focuses on Yoga Asanas that help align our spine, control our breathing and coordinate our movement with our breaths. This helps the Prana within our body to flow seamlessly in our bodies.
2. The second stage of Kripalu Yoga focuses on Yoga meditation. This helps us learn to control our mind, strip it of tensions, worries, stress and anxiety and concentrate it within ourselves. In this stage, Yoga postures are help for extended periods of time to enable the mind to learn to concentrate within. It is in this stage that you will develop mental capacity to learn, grow and expand beyond your worries and concerns.
3. In the third stage of Kripalu Yoga, the body and mind are relaxed in a series known as ‘Meditation in Motion’. The purpose of this stage is to enable the unification of the body, mind and spirit. It is in this stage that you will be aware of the Prana within yourself and how it channels itself in your body.

Thus, Kripalu Yoga provides a holistic approach to body, mind, soul equilibrium, which is the main aim of Yoga itself. Oracticing Kripalu Yoga on a regular basis will not only make your body healthy, it will make your mind fit and in your control and provide you with inner peace and wisdom that will enrich your experience of life.