Although it is important to practice the other meditation techniques I have found often that practicing kriya before any other spiritual techniques and upon awakenig is helpful. This is because the cosciousness is still interiorized and it is easier to go into the spiritual spine and direct the consciousness up and down the shashuma. The consciousness generally becomes more scattered during the day and it is often more difficult to direct attention to the thin thread, the silver chord that brings a soothing peace and awakening bliss when the thoughts are stilled and attention is drawn to inner realms.
This was suggested to me by an SRF brother.
