The fourth of the five koshas is vijnanamaya kosha—the wisdom sheath. Vijnanamaya encompasses intuition and intellect. It can be thought of as the witness mind, or that aspect of our consciousness that is not entangled...
Vijnanamaya Kosha
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Manomaya Kosha
The third of the five koshas is manomaya kosha—the mind sheath. Manomaya encompasses the processing of thoughts and emotions. It is the connection point between the lower and upper two sheaths. It involves the functions...
The Power of OM
If you have practiced yoga for any length of time, you are likely familiar with the sound of OM. Often chanted at the beginning and/or end of class, OM is a seed mantra, or a one-syllable chant. Possibly the quintessential Sanskrit mantra due to its vibrational nature...
Pranamaya Kosha
The second of the five koshas is pranamaya kosha—the energy body. The vital energies of the body—also known as prana—on the physiologic level and on a more subtle level, are contained within this kosha. Prana does not necessarily “reside” within the body, as it...
Anamaya Kosha
The first of the five koshas is anamaya kosha—the physical body. Your limbs, torso, and head; your skin, muscles, bones, and organs—everything that makes up your body, inside and out, is the anamaya kosha. The practice of yoga begins with the anamaya kosha because it...
The Koshas
The yoga practice is often said to be a mind-body or mind-body-spirit practice. One explanation for this is found in the presence of the five koshas—the “layers” or “sheaths” that exist to help integrate the different aspects of our being. The koshas help up perceive...
Udana Vayu
Udana vayu, or "ascending air," is the prana vayu that directs prana from lower to upper chakras. Udana vayu is the channel that leads from lower to upper levels of consciousness, carrying the energy of kundalini—the dormant energy awakened through yoga practice—up...
Vyana Vayu
Vyana vayu, or "omnipresent air," is the prana vayu that integrates all vayus. Vyana vayu helps to balance the other four vayus, and is present throughout the body. It is not associated with any one area of the body, but rather the entire body, and even extends...
Samana Vayu
Samana vayu, or "balancing air," is the prana vayu at the meeting point between prana, the inward/upward-moving vayu, and apana, the outward/downward-moving vayu. Samana vayu unites these two energies together. Located at the navel, samana vayu governs agni, the...
Apana Vayu
Apana is the prana vayu that involves the downward and outward flow of energy from the body. Apana vayu governs the outward flow of energy on the breath, with digestive elimination, and with menstruation. The seat of apana vayu is the muladhara chakra, or the root...
Take Your Practice off the Mat
The yoga practice is designed to promote a feeling of calm, peace, and equanimity. The movements are fluid and synched to the breath. The mind finds relative ease and less distraction. The atmosphere is usually relaxing. While the environment in which we practice yoga...
Prana-Vayu
The individual prana-vayu, not to be confused with the entire category of prana vayus, is the specific function of movement of prana, or life force. Prana-vayu governs the inward movement of prana, which enters the body with breath, food, and drink, and also enters...
Yamas and Niyamas in the New Year
This New Year, instead of resolutions (which are bound to fail, at least most of them), try to set intentions. Setting an intention is less guilt-ridden, paving the way to long-term success. The Yamas and Niyamas offer a nice guideline to help inspire your intentions...
Prana Vayus
The prana vayus are the five movements or functions of prana, or life force. Vayu means, literally, “wind.” The five prana vayus are prana vayu, apana vayu, samana vayu, udana vayu, and vyana vayu. Each governs a different area of the body. When they are balanced...
Sahasrara Chakra: The Crown
Sahasrara chakra is the chakra of our divine center located at the crown of the head. Sahasrara means thousand-fold or infinity, and the chakra is associated with the color violet and with the consciousness element. The qualities of this chakra are divinity and...
Ajna Chakra: The Third Eye Center
Ajna chakra is the chakra of intuition and clarity located at the third eye, which is between the eyebrows. Ajna is associated with the color purple and with the mind element. The qualities of this chakra are inspiration, intuition, and inner vision. Through Ajna...
Vishuddha Chakra: The Throat Center
Vishuddha chakra, the communication chakra located at the throat, is associated with the color blue and with the space element. The qualities of this chakra are communication, truth, and self-expression. Vishuddha governs not only our communication with others,...
Anahata Chakra: The Heart Center
Anahata chakra, the heart chakra located at the center of the chest, is associated with the color green and with the air element. The qualities of this chakra are unconditional love and compassion. Anahata is the gateway between the lower and upper chakras....
Manipura Chakra: The Solar Plexus
Manipura chakra, the solar plexus chakra located at the navel, is associated with the color yellow and with the fire element—it is our power center. The qualities of Manipura are self-esteem, power, gut feelings, ego, and confidence. From Manipura chakra we develop...
Svadhisthana Chakra
Svadhisthana is known as “the seat of the self,” or the seat of the soul. It is located at the sacrum, just above the base of the spine. Svadhisthana is associated with the water element. All bodily fluids are governed by this chakra. And as a water chakra, the energy...