As a young person, I never really understood why my yoga practice delivered so many benefits beyond physical body conditioning. I knew that I felt calmer after each practice and that much of that feeling had to do with boosting good brain chemicals and regulating my nervous system but I couldn’t quite put my finger on the greater connection I experienced with each practice.
Until I learned about the koshas.
The three bodies – physical, subtle and causal – make up the five koshas or the five layers of existence. The koshas, in turn, connect the three bodies.
- Annamaya kosha – the physical layer – physical
- Pranamaya kosha – the breath layer – connection between physical and subtle
- Manomaya kosha – the mind layer – subtle – connection between lower and upper layers
- Vijnanamaya kosha – the intelligence layer – connection between subtle and causal
- Anandamaya kosha – the spirit, or bliss, layer – causal
See The Kosha Chart below for a greater understanding of the interconnections among the Koshas, as well as the associated yogic limbs and supportive practices.
In this article, we’ll break down the koshas for you and relate them to the eight limbs of yoga so you have a foundation for understanding how and why a mind-body-spirit connection leads to holistic wellbeing and why yogic teachings and practices can provide a portal to personal healing.
A Modern Conundrum
By nature, humans will spend most of their time and attention on conditioning annamaya kosha, the physical layer or food body. It’s the easiest thing to focus on because it is the most tangible. It is also the most profitable. But we have to ask: do the weight-loss-oriented or extreme exercise regimes that are so common in many modern fitness facilities and programs help to develop the physical body – annamaya kosha – in harmonious ways?
Yoga and The Koshas
Many modern yoga practices have also been diluted to mere physical fitness with little room for connection to self. But, at its root, the eight limbs of yoga – which include development of the physical body – supports embodiment and self-realization through harmonious development of the Koshas:
1. Yama — Social Conduct – annamaya kosha, manomaya kosha
2. Niyama — Personal Conduct – annamaya kosha, manomaya kosha
3. Asana — Physical Postures – annamaya kosha
4. Pranayama — Breath Control / Use of the Vital Force – pranamaya kosha
5. Pratyahara — Control of the Mind and Senses – manomaya kosha
6. Dharana — Concentration / Control of Attention – manomaya kosha
7. Dhyana — Meditation / Reflection – vijnanamaya kosha
8. Samadhi — Absorption / Union – anandamaya kosha
Many yoga spaces lend themselves to the freedom of exploration and movement – to discover the koshas in a safe and supported way, as well as to learn something new about oneself and one’s community. Yoga spaces that invite students to explore movement and stillness on their mat in a way and time that makes sense to them, leave open the possibility for self-realized empowerment, which can help shift the mind-body experience from one of dissociation to one of owning, knowing, feeling, and breathing – and to the embodiment of one’s self.
Mind-Body-Spirit Wisdom
The more aware we are of all of the layers of our being and the more we incorporate holistic healing solutions based on the five koshas into our health plan, the more we can make sustainable, embodied choices that support our health and wellbeing.
- The koshas explain the mind-body-spirit connection that many of us have heard about but don’t really understand.
- The koshas show us why a yoga practice that works for you serves as a portal to emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
- The koshas explain why we are able to forgive and let go even when we’ve been deeply hurt by the circumstances of life.
- The koshas show us how to achieve liberation from the habits or patterns that are holding us back and creating disease or imbalance.
- The koshas explain why people with a spiritual practice experience greater wellbeing and overall health.
If you aren’t sure where to start in your exploration of the koshas, we have a few simple suggestions that you can start doing TODAY:
- Annamaya kosha – Yoga asana – visit your local yoga studio but beware that not all yoga practices are the same – it’s most important to find one that works for you, abhyanga
- Pranamaya kosha – Pranayama practices and chakra meditations
- Manomaya kosha – Mantra practice, yoga nidra, meditation, and pratyahara
- Vijnanamaya kosha – Loving kindness meditation
- Anandamaya kosha – Journey Through the Koshas Meditation
If any of this feels overwhelming or confusing, reach out to us for support with mind-body-spirit healing through the koshas today.
For more information, check out our articles on Subtle Body Self-Healing; Prana, Tejas and Ojas and Ayurveda, Anxiety and Depression.
Article authored by Kirsten Ahern, Founder of Path Wellbeing, Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist and Wellbeing Advocate, E-RYT 200 and RYT 500, Meditation, Mindfulness and Spiritual Wellbeing Coach.
The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and should not replace the direct advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Always consult a medical or other professional healthcare provider when considering a new health regime.
