If I asked you to describe your body, where would you begin? Most people would begin with their height, gender, complexion. Perhaps leading onto particular physical features such as freckles, hair colour, eye colour. Now, an additional question. How best can you take care of your body? Likely responses would no doubt include: exercise, hydrate, get enough sleep, eat well.
This perception of what our body ‘is’ stems from our education in childhood, where most of us in the Western world are taught about the physical body. This model leaves out many experiences that we all share, that would be considered part of the self. However, their intangible reality leaves them difficult to dissect and analyse.
The yogic tradition alternatively teaches us that we are not one body. Instead, we more closely resemble onions and ogres, in that we have multiple layers. The ancient tantric text taittriya upanishad describes what is called the pancha-kosha, literally ‘five sheaths’.
When we begin to sense and become aware of our multiple layers, we are better able to understand and heal our body in a more holistic way. These layers of self are not separate, but interwoven together, directly affecting one another. As we heal one layer of self, we are also healing our other selves.
Below I will seek to make clear the different layers from the grossest level to the most subtle. Also explaining what practices help to balance and unblock the natural expression of each.
You will notice the name of each layer is followed by the suffix -maya. This refers to the illusory nature of each layer. Although each appears to be our self, they could be likened to clouds passing across an open sky. Only the infinite, eternal sky is the true Self.
Annamaya Kosha | Body made of Food | Earth Element
The first layer of our self is the most obvious. It is comprised of matter that we are so familiar with, the physical world. Muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, skin, flesh, all gathered from the food we eat and repurposed to become part of our physical body. This is considered the grossest level of manifestation or most dense.
Through this instrument we move through the world, feeling and sensing our environment. This layer is the only tangible layer that we can see, and hold with our hands. As such, it is what we can all agree to share and can describe objectively the easiest.
As the densest layer of manifestation, we are also the furthest away from our true source or divine self. The veil is thickest and our inner light is hidden.
To care for this layer of self we should eat healthy and vibrant food, practice asana or movement exercises, and receive adequate hydration and rest.
Pranamaya Kosha | Body made of Energy | Water Element
Our pranamaya kosha is the layer of flowing energy within our body. We can feel this energy throughout the body passing through nadis (energy channels) and collecting at chakras (energy whirlpools).
This energy, or prana, that circulates throughout the system can be felt often in the gut as intuition, in the heart-opening experience of love, the feeling of butterflies in the belly, and many more. Although we cannot show or hold these feelings, we are all intimately aware of them.
This prana that flows within the body is responsible for the beating of our heart, the healing of our body, and the homeostasis it finds. When our pranamaya kosha leaves the physical body, the physical body will die.
To keep the prana flowing freely without blockage within the body, both asana and pranayama (breathing exercises) are encouraged. Deep diaphragmatic breathing, and alternate nostril breathing help to ensure balance and vitality within the body. The sun is also considered to be the ultimate source of prana, giving energy to all life on earth.
Manomaya Kosha | Body made of Thought Processes | Fire Element
Shifting our focus to an even more subtle level of the body, we can become aware of our mental body. This includes all the thought and emotions we experience throughout the day.
Much of the time we experience these mental fluctuations on auto-pilot, giving little conscious attention to what thoughts we entertain. Our mental body feeds on sense impressions we gather through media, social media, relationships, work etc. Many of us in the Western world have highly stimulated mental bodies. Constant entertainment and distraction at all times leading to a diet of high-quantity, low-quality impressions.
Through the practices of pratyahara (sense withdrawal) and dharana (single-pointed concentration), we are able to give space for the full expression of our thoughts to arise and pass away. Effectively cleaning out or cleansing the mind of accrued junk.
While many people begin yoga practice for the physical benefits of muscle strength, endurance, or flexibility. It is often the benefits on the manomaya kosha of mental clarity and emotional stability that have people coming back repeatedly.
Vijnanamaya Kosha | Body made of Intelligence | Air Element
The vijnanamaya kosha layer is more subtle again. Vijnana translating to ‘power of judgement or discernment’. This is the layer of self that is the home to our inner knowing and wisdom, from where we experience intuition, our conscience, insight, reflection, and deep perception into nature.
This is the layer of self that distinguishes humans from animals, with the ability to move beyond instinctive behaviour and consciously choose a direction in life. We are able to find our svadharma, our duty in life.
By cultivating a calm and serene mind through the practice of dhyana (meditation), we are able to hear the quiet messages and intuitions from our higher self. Moving away from attachment and fear, desire/aversion, separateness. We grow into oneness, compassion and love.
Much of the progress gained in this layer is through the release of blockages in previous layers, opening us up to a clearer perception of this subtle layer of self.
Anandamaya Kosha | Body made of Bliss | Ether Element
The most subtle layer of self is the anandamaya kosha or bliss sheath. This is the transcendental dimension of the human body and as such the most difficult to explain with words.
Ways to describe it are that it is beyond pleasure and pain, that it is homogenous and uniform to us all, that it is beyond experiential nature or the senses. States that have been described to be similar is that of deep-sleep, sexual ecstasy, the flow state, awe and rapture.
To awaken this layer we can use methods such as karma yoga (devotion to others), bhakti yoga (devotion to god), raja yoga (realising the divine self).
Even at this layer though, duality exists as we are veiled from our true nature by the most subtle and thin layer.
Transcending the Self
The eventual goal of yoga is to study, understand and eventually transcend all layers of self to return and reunite with Brahman or Universal Consciousness. This being the indescribable state beyond duality.
Although we are daily experiencing an embodied self, we are never apart or separate from this divine source. By harmonising and releasing blockages through the five bodies, we allow life to flow through us and guide us to return to our original state of oneness.
Practice
- Sitting in a comfortable position, close down the eyes, and relax the body. Take 3 deep cleansing breaths.
- Begin by first becoming aware of any bodily sensations. Take note of how the body feels, the tension in muscles, the weight of the body, the points of contact, the temperature of the body. Scan the body from the toes to the crown of the head in great detail and precision.
- Start to pay attention now to the breath. Noticing that without conscious control you are being breathed automatically. Sense the breath as fluid energy, and begin to trace this energy through the body. From outside the nostrils, through the lungs, into all corners of the body.
- Now shift your attention away from the flow of energy and settle it in the mind’s eye, located on the brow between your two eyes. Watch as mental thought patterns arise and fade away. Thoughts about the future, or past. Emotions linked to these thoughts felt within the body.
- As you notice these thought patterns, see if you can transform your state of perception to be that of pure awareness and witness. Holding each thought impartially and without judgement, as a scientist analysing a leaf or insect. Holding our state of awareness here in the stillness, not carrying on with the thoughts.
- With a centred and stable mind, take your awareness to your heart centre. Begin to cultivate the sensation and feeling of compassion and love. The object can be anything, but the feeling should be deep heartfelt unconditional goodwill and of gratitude. Let the feeling of compassion, goodwill and love spread from that object to envelop all of manifest creation.
- Return gradually to body awareness and see if you can practice retaining these states of mind throughout the day.
Hi, I am Matt. I am a passionate student of health and wellness. The science of yoga is the most effective system I’ve yet found for bringing about physical vitality with mental clarity. By blending a Western approach of anatomy and alignment, with Eastern philosophies and meditative techniques. My mission is to share these modern and ancient teachings to help others find harmony in their life.