What are the Koshas ?

Do you know what an onion looks like when you peel it? Well, your body is the same.

The Koshas are invisible layers, also called sheaths, of a person’s being.

They are considered the energetic layers of your body.

The Koshas are considered to be very important as they are relevant to personal growth and well-being.

In total, we have 5 koshas (Pancha Koshas).

The physical body composes the outermost layer, while the innermost layer contains your soul.

How the layers are divided

Picture by Mind Journal

ANNAMAYA Kosha: Physical Sheath

The outermost layer is the physical body. It's the part of us that we can touch, see, and feel. It encompasses our body, organs, and senses.

PRANAYAMA Kosha: Vital Sheath

The vital energy layer is the life force that keeps us alive. It's responsible for functions like breathing, circulation, and energy flow.

MANOMAYA Kosha: Mental sheath

The mental and emotional layer is where our thoughts, emotions, and mental activities reside. It influences our feelings and reactions.

VIJNANAMAYA Kosha: Wisdom Sheath

The layer of intellect and wisdom. This is where we make choices, solve problems, and engage in deeper understanding and discernment.

ANANDAMAYA Kosha: Bliss sheath

The innermost layer, which is associated with pure bliss and connection with a higher consciousness or universal source.

The layers are interconnected and will influence each other. Let’s take an example: when our thoughts and emotions (Manomaya Kosha) are in harmony, it can positively affect our physical health (Annamaya Kosha) and our sense of inner peace and bliss (Anandamaya Kosha).

You will bring balance and awareness into your Koshas by practicing yoga and meditation.

By doing so, individuals can achieve physical health, mental clarity, emotional well-being, and a deeper connection with their inner selves or a higher spiritual reality.

Self-exploration and introspection will be the best things in your life. It will be very important fo your personal growth and well-being. By considering how your own experiences and feelings relate to these koshas, it will help you to work with them.

Keep practicing

Namaste