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Have you ever felt there's more to your existence than meets the eye?
Ancient yoga philosophy introduces the concept of koshas, which acts as a guide to help you uncover the hidden aspects of your inner self.
Picture peeling back the layers of an onion, each unveiling a deeper aspect of your true self.
Join in on your transformative journey as you delve into the five mystical koshas.
From nourishing your body to fostering mental clarity, tapping into higher wisdom, and discovering boundless joy, you'll explore the keys to a balanced and harmonious life.
Ready to explore the depths of your own being?
Let's dive in!
1. Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath)
"To keep the body in good health is a duty, for otherwise, we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear."
The outermost layer, Annamaya Kosha, represents our physical bodies.
It encompasses everything we can perceive with our senses, including our skin, bones, muscles, and more.
This layer is closely tied to the food we consume, as it is nourished by our diet. Maintaining a healthy Annamaya Kosha is essential for overall well-being.
How can we nourish this dimension of ourselves?
Through wholesome, nutritious food and physical exercise, such as yoga poses (Asanas).
2. Pranamaya Kosha (Energy Sheath)
"Prana is the link between the body, mind, and consciousness, and it is the carrier of our life force. Learning to control prana is the key to a more vibrant and meaningful life."
Beneath the physical layer lies the Pranamaya Kosha, which corresponds to the life force energy known as "prana" or "chi."
It is responsible for the flow of energy within our bodies and includes our breath, the seven chakras, and subtle energy channels called nadis.
How can we balance and enhance this energy?
By consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, breathing clean air, and exposing ourselves to sunlight.
A simple walk in nature can recharge your energy.
In the practice of yoga, you access this dimension through pranayama, aka breathwork.
3. Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath)
You, a living being, a consciousness, can choose to use your mind in a way that serves you. Thoughts are just a tool."
Moving inward, we encounter the Manomaya Kosha, associated with the mind.
It governs our intellectual and emotional states, including our memories, thoughts, knowledge, and belief systems.
How do we activate this dimension of ourselves?
Engage in learning new things that genuinely interest you, and use your mind constructively.
Meditations like affirmation or mantra meditation harness the power of thought by repetition.
The second part of this layer deals with our heart.
Our heart is the home of our emotions.
It’s where we feel joy, happiness, love, compassion but also anger, sadness, grieve and all the other emotions.
When we cry during Yoga or mediation (which is very normal once we get to this layer) we are dealing with the “unfinished business of the heart”, healing certain parts of ourselves.
Stories, quotes, and music can speak to our hearts.
Practices like gratitude and loving-kindness meditations can help balance the Manomaya Kosha, fostering mental clarity and emotional stability.
Your mind and your heart are deeply connected and influence each other, forming loops.
Emotions influence your thoughts and the other way round.
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Sheath)
"Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, love is knowing I am everything, and between the two, my life moves."
Deeper still is the Vijnanamaya Kosha, the sheath of awareness.
This layer transcends intellect, providing access to higher wisdom and intuitive knowledge.
It's the seat of inner guidance and insight, where we begin to expand from the small self to the higher self.
How can we access this layer?
Through mindfulness techniques and meditations.
We will explore some of these practices in the coming weeks and months, so make sure you are subscribed.
5. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath)
The happiness which comes from long practice, which leads to the end of suffering, which at first is like poison, but at last like nectar—this kind of happiness arises from the serenity of one's own soul."
At the core of our being lies the Anandamaya Kosha, the sheath of the soul, sometimes referred to as the Christ or Buddha consciousness.
This layer represents our connection to the divine and the source of universal love, where we experience profound joy and contentment.
Our mission in yoga is to rediscover that inner light.
It's always there but can be obscured by:
poor food choices,
limiting believes,
or unhealed traumas
Understanding the koshas can help us achieve a more balanced and holistic approach to well-being.
By harmonizing these layers, we can access a deeper understanding of ourselves and experience profound states of inner peace and bliss.