Kasthika Kriya is a dynamic practice that activates and detoxifies the energy centers from Muladhara (root) up to Vishuddhi (throat) chakra.
It powerfully strengthens the respiratory system, cleanses the nadis (energy channels), and enhances both physical vitality and spiritual awakening.
Perfect for those seeking deep purification, better breathing, and a lighter, freer energy body.
🌟 Benefits of Kasthika Kriya
Physical Benefits
- 🌬️ Strengthens lungs, heart, and respiratory pathways
- 🌸 Detoxifies blood and removes impurities
- 🌱 Aids digestion and supports healthy bowel movement
- 💤 Improves sleep patterns (noticeable after 7 days)
- 🌼 Reduces sinusitis, bronchitis, hay fever, gastric disorders
- 🧘♂️ Decreases stress, anxiety, and depression
Spiritual Benefits
- 🕉️ Pushes prana (life force) throughout the nadi system
- 🌈 Eliminates energetic blockages along the spine
- ⚡ Activates lower and middle chakras, enhancing energy flow
⚠️ Contra-indications
- ⚠️ Practice with extra care if you have cervical problems, vertigo, heart conditions, or chronic asthma.
- 🚫 Not suitable for pregnancy, slipped disc, chronic lower back pain, or migraine.
- ✋ Always practice gently and listen to your body.
🛤️ Kasthika Kriya Practice Structure
🔹 Practice 1: Seated Kasthika (Vajrasana or Malasana)
Setup:
- Beginners ➔ Sit in Vajrasana (knees folded under you)
- Intermediate/Advanced ➔ Sit in Malasana (deep squat)
Technique:
- Form Kali Mudra: hands clasped with index fingers pointing forward and touching.
- Extend arms straight in front of the face.
Movement:
- Inhale through the nose, lift the arms high overhead.
- Exhale forcefully through the mouth, contracting the belly in, slightly tightening the throat (like a "HA" sound of offering), while dropping the arms quickly down towards the pelvis.
- Keep shoulders relaxed throughout.
Rounds:
- 1 round = 30 breath strokes.
- Repeat for 6 rounds.
- Take a 10-second break between rounds.
🔹 Practice 2: Standing Kasthika (High Squat Version)
Setup:
- Stand with feet mat-width apart.
Technique:
- Use the same breath and arm movement as in Practice 1.
Movement:
- Inhale, stretch the arms up overhead while standing tall.
- Exhale, bend into a very high squat (knees bent slightly), spine straight, arms dropping down sharply.
Rounds:
- Perform 11 rounds of 28 breath strokes.
🔹 Practice 3: Flowing Standing Kasthika (With Hip Movement)
Setup:
- Stand in the same wide-legged position.
Movement:
- Inhale, lift arms up.
- Exhale, bend knees slightly and move hips forward, folding gently forward.
- Use the arms to carry yourself through the movement — lifting on the inhale, pressing down on the exhale.
This variation adds gentle spinal activation and grounding energy.
🔄 Suggested Practice Flow
You can structure your Kasthika session like this:
- ➡️ Practice 1 ➔ Practice 2 ➔ Practice 3
or - ➡️ Practice 2 ➔ Practice 1 ➔ Repeat both twice
(Choose based on your level and energy.)
🧘♂️ Final Relaxation
- After completing the kriya, lie down in Savasana for at least 10 minutes.
- Let the breath naturally slow down.
- Feel the prana circulating freely through your body.
🌸 Additional Notes
- No Moola Bandha (root lock) is applied during this kriya.
- Practice at least 3 times a week, ideally 1–3 times per day for best results.
- Use Kali Mudra consistently for energetic focus.
🌈 Closing Words
Kasthika Kriya is a masterful way to detoxify the body, energize the breath, and activate your spiritual path.
It helps you throw off old, stagnant energy and welcomes in fresh vitality, resilience, and clarity — both physically and energetically.
As the masters say:
"When the breath flows freely, life flows freely."