Kundalini Yoga Certification Kriya Sets & Sequences 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Kundalini Yoga, what is the recommended approach when a student cannot hold a posture for the full time prescribed in a kriya?
- Skip the posture entirely
- Reduce the time while maintaining correct form (Correct answer)
- Replace it with a different posture
- Hold the posture with eyes open to stay focused
Correct answer: Reduce the time while maintaining correct form
Students should reduce duration while maintaining correct form rather than forcing or skipping the posture.
Question 2: Which kriya is traditionally taught to strengthen the nervous system and prepare students for advanced practices?
- Sat Kriya (Correct answer)
- Nabhi Kriya
- Surya Kriya
- Sitali Pranayam Kriya
Correct answer: Sat Kriya
Sat Kriya is a foundational practice that strengthens the nervous system and is considered essential preparation for advanced Kundalini work.
Question 3: What is the function of a 'relaxation' period between exercises within a kriya set?
- To give the teacher time to explain the next posture
- To allow the body to integrate the effects of the previous exercise (Correct answer)
- To reduce the total session time
- To cool down the spine before proceeding
Correct answer: To allow the body to integrate the effects of the previous exercise
Brief relaxations between exercises allow the body and nervous system to integrate and circulate the energy activated by each posture.
Question 4: How does Nabhi Kriya primarily benefit the practitioner?
- It develops psychic abilities
- It strengthens the navel center and digestive fire (Correct answer)
- It opens the heart chakra
- It purifies the lymphatic system
Correct answer: It strengthens the navel center and digestive fire
Nabhi Kriya focuses on the navel point (nabhi), strengthening the third chakra, digestive fire, and core power.
Question 5: When teaching a kriya that includes breath of fire, which student contraindication requires modification?
- Students who have never done yoga before
- Students who are pregnant (Correct answer)
- Students with tight hamstrings
- Students who are beginners to meditation
Correct answer: Students who are pregnant
Breath of fire is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be replaced with long deep breathing.
Question 6: In a Kundalini Yoga class structure, what typically follows the completion of a kriya set?
- Immediate standing postures
- Deep relaxation in Corpse Pose (Shavasana) (Correct answer)
- Chanting of Japji Sahib
- Alternate nostril breathing
Correct answer: Deep relaxation in Corpse Pose (Shavasana)
Deep relaxation in Shavasana follows a kriya set, allowing the body to consolidate the effects of the practice.
Question 7: What distinguishes a 'kriya' from a general yoga 'sequence' in Kundalini Yoga?
- A kriya always includes meditation while a sequence does not
- A kriya is a specific, complete set with a defined outcome, not improvised (Correct answer)
- A kriya uses only seated postures
- A kriya must last exactly 31 minutes
Correct answer: A kriya is a specific, complete set with a defined outcome, not improvised
A kriya is a precise, complete set of exercises designed by a master to produce a specific effect and must be practiced as taught without alteration.
Kundalini Yoga Certification Kriya Sets & Sequences 2
In Kundalini Yoga, what is the recommended approach when a student cannot hold a posture for the full time prescribed in a kriya?