Yoga is a journey inward. As teachers and students, we know the poses are just one piece of the practice. Beyond movement lies a layered model of consciousness that gives us tools for understanding the full human experience. In yogic philosophy, this model is known as the five koshas. Whether you’re guiding a beginner through their first savasana or holding space for advanced practitioners, the koshas offer a deeply personal and healing framework for teaching.
Let’s explore the koshas, explained in an easy-to-follow way, and how they support emotional wellness, mental clarity, and spiritual connection in your teaching.
What are the koshas
In Sanskrit, kosha means “sheath” or “layer.” According to yogic philosophy, each human being comprises five interconnected layers. These aren’t literal structures, but subtle aspects of our being, from the most tangible (the body) to the most subtle (the spirit).
The koshas are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad, and are often visualized like nesting dolls, with the outermost layer being the physical body and the innermost layer being bliss or divine essence. When we understand these energetic layers, we can better support our students in every part of their practice, not just the physical.
The five koshas, explained
Below, we’ll walk through each kosha to explore what it represents and how it shows up in both personal practice and teaching.
Annamaya kosha supports the physical body
This is the most tangible of the koshas. Annamaya kosha refers to the physical body—the bones, muscles, skin, and organs we nourish with food (anna). It’s the layer we most often think of when we consider yoga practice.
When students come to class feeling stiff, sore, or disconnected, they are likely experiencing an imbalance in this kosha. Practices such as asana, proper nutrition, hydration, and rest help restore balance.
As a teacher, cues that bring awareness to body alignment, proprioception, and breath in movement support this layer. While it’s the outermost sheath, it’s also the entry point to deeper self-awareness.
Pranamaya kosha awakens the energy body
Beneath the physical body lies the pranamaya kosha, the sheath of life force or prana. This energetic layer is responsible for vitality, breath, and the subtle flow of energy through the body.
The breath is our direct access to this kosha. Practices like pranayama, conscious breathing, and kriyas help activate and harmonize energy flow. In class, incorporating breath awareness—even simple breath-to-movement pacing—can shift a student’s state immediately.
When the pranamaya kosha is out of balance, students may feel fatigued, anxious, or ungrounded. When it’s balanced, they feel calm, energized, and present.
Manomaya kosha processes thoughts and emotions
The manomaya kosha is the mental-emotional body. It processes sensory input, thoughts, and habitual patterns. It’s also where our ego, identity, and emotional responses arise.
Students may be distracted, overwhelmed, or emotionally reactive when this layer is out of balance. Yoga can help recalibrate this kosha through mantra, mindful movement, and deep relaxation.
In a teaching setting, creating a space of psychological safety and nonjudgment allows students to explore and regulate this layer. Affirmations, soft transitions, and grounding postures can also calm the manomaya kosha.
Vijnanamaya kosha holds your inner wisdom
This sheath is the wisdom body—vijnanamaya kosha. It represents our higher intelligence, intuition, and the inner knowing that transcends learned knowledge.
This is the part of us that discerns truth from illusion. It guides ethical decisions and spiritual growth. As teachers, we access this kosha when we teach from our own authentic experience rather than mimicry.
For students, cultivating the wisdom body might mean encouraging reflection, journaling after practice, or incorporating yogic philosophy. Meditation is especially powerful for accessing this layer.
Anandamaya kosha reveals bliss and spiritual connection
At the heart of our being is the anandamaya kosha, the bliss body. It’s not the fleeting happiness that comes from external pleasures, but a deep, unshakable sense of peace.
This kosha isn’t something we “achieve.” It’s always present, but often obscured by stress, trauma, or over-identification with the outer koshas. Practices that still the mind, such as yoga nidra, chanting, and silence, can reveal this innermost layer.
Teaching with this kosha in mind means offering moments for stillness and integration. Rather than “doing” more, we allow space for being.
How to use them in your teaching
The koshas aren’t meant to be studied in isolation. They offer a dynamic lens through which to understand ourselves and our students. By addressing all five layers in your teaching, you create a more holistic, trauma-informed, and transformational experience.
Here’s how that might look in practice:
- Begin with asana to address the annamaya kosha.
- Integrate breathwork for the pranamaya kosha.
- Add guided meditation or affirmations for the manomaya kosha.
- Reflect on a philosophical teaching to activate vijnanamaya kosha.
- End in stillness or yoga nidra to touch the bliss of anandamaya kosha.
You don’t have to include all five in every class, but having this framework in mind helps you teach with greater intentionality and depth.
Go deeper with East+West yoga teacher training
Whether you’re new to teaching or looking to bring more depth into your classes, understanding the koshas is a powerful step. These layers give you a fuller map of the human experience—and more tools for supporting your students on every level.
At East+West, these teachings are integrated into a rich and modern curriculum that honors the depth of tradition. Their immersive trainings offer a unique blend of Eastern wisdom and Western accessibility, set in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations.
Click here to explore the East+West yoga teacher training
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