Have you ever come across the koshas? Well we’ve been exploring them in yoga in Rugby. They’re a fundamental concept in yoga philosophy that can help us deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
In a nutshell, the koshas are five layers of our being, each with its own unique qualities and characteristics. The first is the physical body, known as the annamaya kosha. It’s the part of us that we can see, touch, and feel – it’s where our muscles, bones, and organs reside.
The second kosha is the pranamaya kosha, which relates to our breath and life force. It’s the energy that animates our physical body and keeps us alive and vital.
Moving inward, we come to the manomaya kosha, the layer of the mind and emotions. This is where our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs reside, and it’s where we can start to explore our inner landscape.
The fourth kosha is the vijnanamaya kosha, which is sometimes called the “wisdom sheath.” This layer is where we can access our intuition, insight, and inner wisdom.
Finally, there’s the anandamaya kosha, the “bliss sheath.” This is the deepest layer of our being, where we can connect with our true nature and experience a sense of peace, joy, and contentment.
As a yoga teacher based in Rugby, Warwickshire, I love exploring the koshas with my students. We use various yoga practices such as asana, pranayama, and meditation to explore each layer of our being and connect with our true selves.
So how about giving it a go and see how exploring the koshas can deepen your yoga practice and your understanding of yourself?