The Five Bodies of Hatha Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise. It is gentle and will help you de-stress. But, there is more to yoga than exercise. As a base for the physical forms, there is a way of thinking that can help you change your life and get more out of your yoga practice.

In order to link your mind, body and spirit, you need to know what constitutes the "body." Yogic theory states we all have five bodies. Our external body has four other inner layers that make up our "subtle" body. The physical body and the subtle bodies together are called the panca-kosha, or "five sheathes."

The first sheath is known as annamaya kosha. It is the food sheath, or the physical body. The second sheath is pranamaya kosha, or the energetic system. The third sheath is manomaya kosha, or the mind sheath. This is the part of the mind where information is processed and helps the body function on basic levels. The fourth sheath is vijnanamaya kosha, or the intellectual sheath. This part of the mind is used for higher levels of thinking. The fifth, and last, sheath is anandamaya kosha, or bliss sheath. We use this part of us to connect with the universal consciousness.

Practicing Hatha yoga helps you find a way to link our mind, body and spirit. Many people acknowledge that these parts of us cannot function without each other. However, most do not know how to help them work together. When we can link all aspects of ourselves together and get them working together, we can become more balanced physically and mentally.

The postures, or asanas, of yoga help to cleanse, strengthen and purify our physical bodies. Practice of the asanas can also help improve the flow of energy through our entire body. This helps get the energy to the organs of our energetic body, as well. When the energy is flowing as it should, our concentration and analytical powers will also be enhanced.

Prana is the name give to the energy force that lives in humans and in the world around us. The link between the physical body and the mind is said to be breath. When we control our breathing, this will influence the flow of energy throughout our bodies. This control of breath is called pranayama. This is why it is important to maintain proper breathing while practicing the asanas. Better breathing leads to better energy flow in our physical bodies. This will lead to better energy flow in the subtle bodies as well. When done properly together, asana and pranayama can help us sense the bliss sheath and connect us to the universal consciousness.

Many people who practice yoga feel that there is something more than the physical benefits. While the physical benefits are rewarding in their own right, going beyond them will make the asanas that much more fulfilling. Hopefully, this information will help you gain a basic understanding and entice you to learn more about the wonderful practice of Hatha yoga.

SOURCE

Fraser, Tara. "Live Better: Yoga". 2002. Duncan Baird Publishers Lgd. London, England.