Our Level 1 class offers a foundation in the basic techniques of meditation and pranayama.

Meditation is one of the most natural and rewarding of all human activities. It gives direct, intuitive experience of higher realities, and is the cornerstone of true spirituality. It also brings balance, rest, and a growing inner peace. Come experience this peace and learn about the philosophy of the ancient art and science of meditation as taught by the yoga masters.

Paramahansa Yogananda introduced to the world a unique set of exercises that will fill us with the conscious energy of the cosmos. This unique method of energy control develops physical, mental, and spiritual strength. To generate, concentrate and direct energy at will is the secret to success in meditation. These exercises can be done gently, and can even help us to heal our bodies, so no physical expertise is necessary.

Level 2: Raja Yoga

This three part class offers nearly the entire philosophy of the ancient art and science of yoga. Starting with Patanjali’s 8 fold path we will move to energy and magnetism, to the astral physiology and the chakras… the entire spectrum of Raja Yoga will be covered. Everything about you is determined by your chakras: gender, health, hopes, fears, even your hour of birth and DNA. Learn more about the chakras, affirmations, as well as the conscious, subconscious and superconscious mind in a course that will change the way you think.

This class is based upon Swami Kriyananda’s book “The Art and Science of Raja Yoga”.

Level 3: Discipleship and AUM technique

The scriptures say that even a moment in the company of a saint can be your raft over the ocean of delusion. The purpose of the guru is not to weaken your will. It is to teach you secrets of developing your inner power, until you can stand unshaken amidst the crash of breaking worlds. This class includes a beautiful ceremony where you make a deeper commitment to the path of Self Realization as taught by Ananda Sangha.

Along with discipleship we teach the AUM technique. The vibration of AUM is your own true nature. A simple method of inward listening, taught in this class, opens a mystic doorway within. AUM is the Holy Spirit, the Divine Mother, the Krishna Consciousness manifest in creation, and the sound of “many rushing waters” described in the Bible. Using this technique we will learn to hear that mighty sound of AUM.

Level 4: Kriya Yoga Preparation

In the Autobiography of a Yogi Yoganandaji writes:

Kriya Yoga is an instrument through which human evolution can be quickened. The ancient yogis discovered that the secret of cosmic consciousness is intimately linked with breath mastery. This is India's unique and deathless contribution to the world's treasury of knowledge. The life force, which is ordinarily absorbed in maintaining the heart-pump, must be freed for higher activities by a method of calming and stilling the ceaseless demands of the breath. One-half minute of revolution of energy around the sensitive spinal cord of man effects subtle progress in his evolution; that half-minute of Kriya equals one year of natural spiritual unfoldment.

In this class we will teach techniques of meditation which will prepare us for the power of Kriya yoga.

Class participants say:

“ Ananda sangha has programmed an easy, step by step, scientific way of getting a devotee ready for kriya yoga. After doing level 1, 2, 3, and 4 the aspirant is ready to receive the power of kriya yoga.....there is so much clarity on teachings of paramhansa yogananda and how his meditations truly are scientific and guide us as we burn our sanskaras & help to release us from bondage. ”

— J., Kolkata