Kriya Yoga is one of the most ancient forms of Yoga and its aim is to spiritually develop its practitioners at a rapid rate and detach from all worldly elements that are nothing but bondages. Pranayama, mantras and mudra have to be regularly practiced by practitioners of Kriya Yoga in order to elevate themselves to a higher spiritual state.
History
Kriya Yoga has been an important part of several important ancient Indian texts. It finds mention in the Bhagavad Gita, and also in the Yoga Sutras. It is claimed that Jesus Christ, along with his disciples, was also aware of this Yogic discipline.
Kriya Yoga seemed to lose a lot of its importance during the Dark Ages. However, MahavatarBabaji is credited with the achievement of bringing the practice of Kriya Yoga back. His disciple, LahiriMahasaya, began to teach pupils and aspirants Kriya Yoga, and is the first person to have openly taught Kriya Yoga after its re-emergence.