People are drawn to yoga for different reasons. Some of us are motivated by the need to release physical tension, some of us wish to explore the spiritual realm through our practice, while others just need some breathing space, some time out from the demands of everyday life. If you have sustained a practice for any length of time however, you will have discovered that yoga does not discriminate. It will eventually affect every part of your being, because no matter what aspect of your being brought you here, all of you came along! And over time, you discover that your first step onto the mat, was a step towards wholeness.

Pancha kosha - five sheaths

Yoga provides a systematic approach for creating awareness and understanding of our human nature. It allows us to explore the gross and the subtle aspects of our being through asana, pranayama and meditation. The system offers us various models for deepening our understanding of the structure and function of our gross and subtle bodies.

One such model is that of the five koshas, or sheaths, which are said to cover the Self. This model comes from a Tantric yoga text called the Taittiriya Upanishad. The sheaths are said to be like the layers of an onion, with the Self at the centre of the layers. Working with these layers allows us to explore the gross and the subtle aspects of ourselves.

The following brief explanation of these layers has been transcribed from an article by Jennifer Barone on her website www.innerlotus.com
(The accompanying illustration comes from the same source.)

1. Annamayakosha – The Food or Physical sheath. In the beginning of our practice we confront our bodies and the gross form of ourselves through asana in ways we might never have anticipated. Initially we discover obstacles in the form of misalignment, tension, contraction, or we experience joy, freedom of movement and flexibility. A large part of the practice is connecting with, and bringing deep awareness to our bodies. To truly embody our bodies!

2. Pranamayakosha – The Vital Force or Breath sheath. Through our bodies we begin to connect to Prana – our breath, and our vital energy. Whether we choose to relax, to move with mindfulness or to make our practice a moving meditation, the breath is the link from our physical form to the next kosha – our mind.

3. Manomayakosha – The Mind sheath. Our thoughts and mind-states affect Prana (breath), which affects the body. Equally, bringing mindfulness to the body and breath leads to awareness of the mind. Developing “witness consciousness” or awareness of the quality of our thoughts and our belief systems, we begin to bring focus to our mind.

4. Vijnyanamayakosha – The Wisdom sheath. As we develop a clear view of our body, breath & mind, the three previous koshas lead to a deeper knowledge of ourselves. This is true and collective wisdom. In this state we can begin to direct our aims toward self-realisation.

5. Anandamayakosha – The Bliss sheath. This is the level at which spiritual experience and individual consciousness can be explored. When we reach a meditative state we move toward a glimpse of union or oneness. In terms of our practice, it is usually a time when we experience freedom, pleasure and joy in our practice.

It is important to remember that while we can explore these layers separately in theory, in reality we cannot affect one without affecting them all. They are interconnected. You will have experienced the interconnection of these layers either consciously or unconsciously many times. For instance, an intense emotional response to a situation is usually accompanied by physical sensations, as well as a particular breath pattern. Try to recall the last time you were angry with someone. How did your body feel, what physical sensations were present? Did you gasp, or hold your breath? What thoughts were going through your mind?

The beauty of this interconnection is that we can choose our entry point for exploration according to where we find ourselves at any given moment. If we are dealing with a physical challenge, such as an injury, exhaustion, or even a permanent disability, it does not preclude us from being able to affect the physical body through our practice. Similarly, we may be emotionally drained, or not possess the skills required to tackle the emotional or subtle body directly, but we can still affect our emotional and energetic wellbeing in a positive way by working with the breath, or by practicing asana.

With this model as a road map for our journey of self-discovery, we can begin to get a clearer view of our personal landscape. As our practice develops, we gain the ability to see the effects of the practice not only as it pertains to this body, but also as it pertains to our understanding of the human condition. Then we start to see how yoga is about much more than self-improvement. It is about seeing ourselves as we truly are, realising our connection with others, and understanding our true place in the greater scheme of things. When we make these connections we take a bigger step towards wholeness.

~ Article by Lynda Miers-Henneveld.