According to Geeta Iyengar’s “Yoga – A Gem for Women,” the human body consists of five sheaths or layers, known as kośas. These layers extend from the outer physical body to the innermost spiritual essence, each interpenetrating and influencing the others. As Iyengar explains, “All the sheaths are interdependent and interpenetrating, reaching from outer cover to inner core.”
The Five Sheaths of Existence
Annamaya Kośa: The Physical Sheath
The annamaya kośa forms our outermost layer, what Iyengar describes as “the anatomical body composed of skin, muscles, and bones.” This sheath derives its name from anna (food), as it is sustained by the food we eat and represents our material existence. In yoga practice, this is the first layer we work with through āsana, developing awareness of our physical structure and its needs.
Prāṇamaya Kośa: The Energetic Sheath
The second layer is what Iyengar identifies as “the physiological body composed of the circulatory, respiratory, excretory, digestive, nervous, endocrine or glandular, and reproductive systems.” This vital energy sheath governs all our bodily functions and is particularly influenced by prāṇāyāma practice. The prāṇamaya kośa serves as the bridge between our physical and mental existence, carrying the life force that animates our body.
Manomaya Kośa: The Mental Sheath
Iyengar describes this third layer as “the mental or psychological body, composed of mind and emotions.” This sheath encompasses our thoughts, feelings, and sensory experiences. Through yoga practice, we learn to observe and understand the fluctuations of this mental layer, developing greater emotional stability and mental clarity.
Vijñānamaya Kośa: The Intellectual Sheath
The fourth layer is what Iyengar terms “the intellectual body.” This is the realm of wisdom, discrimination, and higher understanding. It is through this sheath that we develop discernment and the ability to distinguish between the eternal and the temporary, the real and the unreal. In yoga practice, this layer is cultivated through study (svādhyāya), reflection, and the development of witness consciousness.
Ānandamaya Kośa: The Bliss Sheath
The innermost layer is what Iyengar calls “the spiritual body,” describing it as “the innermost sheath encasing the Soul.” This is the layer of pure joy and spiritual bliss, closest to our true nature or ātman. While this sheath might seem the most distant from our everyday experience, its influence can be felt when the other layers are brought into harmony through dedicated practice.
Integration Through Yoga Practice
Iyengar emphasizes that “During the performance of Yogāsanas and Prāṇāyāma, total attention is brought to bear on all the sheaths, from the anatomical to the spiritual and vice versa.” This holistic approach distinguishes yoga from mere physical exercise. As she explains, “Āsanas are psychophysiological, unlike physical exercises which are purely external. Although āsanas develop body consciousness, they also generate internal consciousness and stabilise the mind.”
The practice of yoga works simultaneously on all five sheaths:
- Physical postures (āsanas) primarily affect the annamaya kośa while influencing deeper layers
- Breathing practices (prāṇāyāma) work directly with the prāṇamaya kośa
- Meditation and concentration techniques address the manomaya and vijñānamaya kośas
- All practices ultimately aim to reveal the bliss of the ānandamaya kośa
The Path to Integration
Understanding the pañca kośas provides a map for our yogic journey. Each sheath represents a level of our being that must be acknowledged, understood, and refined. As Iyengar teaches, yoga is “a culture of the body, the mind, and the soul.” Through consistent practice, we can bring awareness to each layer of our being, gradually harmonizing them and moving toward the realization of our true nature.
The concept of the five sheaths reminds us that we are more than just our physical body or our thoughts and emotions. We are complex beings with multiple layers of existence, all of which deserve attention and cultivation. Through yoga practice, we can work with each sheath systematically, bringing greater awareness and integration to our entire being.
