The term laya means dissolution, melting of all karmic conditioning and limitations that have accrued as result of various occurrences and incidents which took place in the course of one's entire lifetime. It is derived from the root li, meaing "to become dissolved" or "vanish" but also to "to cling" and "to remain sticking." This dual connotation of the verbal root li is preserved in the word laya The barriers of a preconditioned life become gradually dissolved, until the soul sees the enlightening world of freedom and salvation (Kaivalya).

Laya yoga is also known as Mantra Yoga. It is the opposite of Hatha Yoga. The latter concentrates on the body, which is gross, whereas the former deals with the subtle, which is deeper than Hatha. Laya Yoga introduces the techniques of arresting the mind's attention on internal sound (Anahata Nada), the mental repetition of a sound symbol (generally a select Mantra) in order to tap the potential energy embedded in a human being.

Laya Yoga pays attention to practicing such groups of exercises like mantras, mudras and yantras – appropriately work with sound, shape and gestures, and work with signs and symbols (mandala). This sequence complies with methodology of introducing exercises – what is often forgotten by teachers of chakras in the West. They usually teach in rather accidental way, much different than Eastern Masters. Mantra purifies speech organs and sense of hearing. Mudra enables higher energies to flow through all our body and yantra enables us to contact with higher extraterrestrial creatures. During contact with higher existences we should be very careful, because not all of them are Gods or Goodies indeed and demonic worlds are full of spirits as well, even often pretending Gods.

Transcendental Meditation devel­oped and propagated worldwide by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is one of the simplest techniques of Laya Yoga.