Panch Koshas refers to five sheaths or bodies that exist within us. These layers are the physical, energetic, mental, intellectual and blissful bodies. Every yoga practice, in a way, targets these layers. More specifically, practices like Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation), allow you to experience these layers with conscious awareness. 

Similar to Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga where we go from the outside in (asanas being the third limb, and dhyana, meditation, being the seventh limb), with the Panch Koshas, too, we go from the outside physical body to the inside, the blissful body. The Koshas work at different vibrations, but they interact and synergize with each other to go from a gross to transcendental state. Let’s look at the five bodies in more detail. 

Anamaya Kosha, the Physical Sheath 

This layer is directly related to the third limb, asanas. We experience the world through our physical body, and more specifically, the senses. This is also the body that requires food and nourishment to thrive. Thus, it is also called the food layer, and the food makes it what it is. Being the outermost body, it is the most vulnerable, and lowest of all vibrations within us. Any imbalances and deficiencies are manifested on the other layers. It is also the densest of all and includes the bones, tissues, muscles, organs and systems. 

Energy is solidified into matter, and it comprises the five elements - earth, water, air, space and fire. Of this, earth is the most prominent, and this layer consists of prana and consciousness. Practicing yoga asanas helps keep the body in a state of balance and tranquility, working greatly on the physical body. Getting stuck in this layer leads to one being obsessed about form and figure.

Pranayama Kosha, the Energy Sheath

‍This layer is fueled by energy or life force, known as Prana. This is a free-flowing layer that flows through the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems. It exists throughout the body. It consists of the breath and five pranas, that is, prana, apana, udana, samana and vyana. These forms of prana control various body functions (everything from yawning and blinking to movement) within the physical body. Without the prana, the body will be lifeless, unmoving and without the ability to think. Prana is integral to making blood flow freely, carrying impulses through the nerves between the body, brain and back, and circulating between the physical body and the different sheaths. Prana also flows through the nadis, energy channels, which is again integral to fueling the body with energy. 

Prana exists in the form of vital, mental, psychic and spiritual energy. It allows us to go from gross to subtle and gradually casual bodies. Practicing breathwork or Pranayama works on this Kosha, keeping it energized, healthy and balanced. 

Manomaya Kosha, the mental Sheath

‍This layer is governed by the mind. Mana means mind. The mind processes perceptions of the world, and a sense of self develops. This Kosha is made up of our thoughts, feelings, mind and emotions. It is through this dimension that we perceive the world, likes and dislikes, desires and attachments, etc. All of this happens through the five senses. 

The mind functions on three levels - the conscious mind, connecting the outer world to the brain, the subconscious mind, where experiences are stored and the unconscious mind, where the real self or ‘atman’ exists. Our consciousness allows us to be connected to the outer world through the senses. To avoid getting stuck in this sheath or absorbed by our own minds, practices like Yoga Nidra are effective. Yoga Nidra works greatly on this layer by penetrating through the first two layers. In a certain sense, it works on the conscious and subconscious mind, thereby instilling awareness and a sense of self. 

Vijnanamaya Kosha, the Knowledge Sheath

This conscious body is the intellect. It is governed by our ethics, morals and knowledge, which is responsible for our inner growth and advancement in life. In yoga, reading sacred ancient texts, philosophies and knowledge improves this intellect and wisdom. 

In this Kosha, one can reach an intuitive state of knowing and achieve higher levels of consciousness. One surpasses awareness of body and mind, to reach a ‘higher’ mind. One gains the ability to know, understand, decide, judge and discriminate from the wisdom part of ourselves, which is the higher consciousness. Vijnanamaya Kosha, through the nadis, establishes a link between the higher mind and the universal mind. 

Anandmaya Kosha, the Blissful Sheath

‍The most subtle body, Anand means happiness, contentment and bliss. Anandmaya Kosha is a reflection of the Atman which is truth, beauty, bliss and absolute. Yoga’s goal is to seek that which is beyond Anandamaya Kosha.  

This experience is obtained only when consciousness expands deeper than the material world. Regular meditation is said to help experience Anandamaya Kosha. This is the highest level of vibration in this life and when one achieves this, it is known to be the state of Samadhi, the eighth limb of yoga. 

Pratyahara, the Withdrawal State 

After Pranayama, the fifth limb of yoga is Pratyahara. It refers to the withdrawal from sensory perceptions and external occurrences. Relating to the Pancha Koshas, this state comes into effect from the Manomaya Kosha till the Anadamaya Kosha. It is when withdrawal from the surroundings happens, can one go inward to experience higher mental functional, more profound knowledge and wisdom, as well as achieve unity with the universal consciousness. Without distractions from the surroundings, one can realize a true and deeper state of the real self. 

Final Thoughts 

It is time and practice to experience these different states and bodies. Your yoga practice should not be defined by trying to find these experiences, but rather an honest commitment to simply practice regularly. As awareness increases, all these experiences will naturally begin to unfold. 

Yoga is much beyond only the practice of asanas, so if you want to know more about the science behind yoga and yoga philosophy like the pancha koshas, the eight limbs of yoga, the kundalini energy etc then you should join one of the best online yoga classes to delve deeper.