Anandamaya Kosha

This sheath, often called the 'bliss' body, is where the unconscious meets the soul, housing your unique essence and purpose (dharma). It's felt in those fleeting moments just before sleep, where all worries vanish, leaving behind a sense of peace. In deep meditation, we can access this state more consistently, though the experience of bliss is not the ultimate goal of yoga.

Beyond the five Koshas lies the essential self—Atman or Purusha, the individual soul that is both within and free of the human experience. A Yogi's journey is to move through these layers, not to linger on the physical but to reach subtler realms of existence. The ultimate goal is not just to feel bliss but to realise this essential self.

Correct asana practice clears the Annamaya Kosha (physical body), opening the door to deeper layers. Improper practice, however, can increase negative patterns and strain the nervous system. Prana, the life force of Pranamaya Kosha, plays a vital role in moving awareness through these layers. Without sufficient Prana, awareness remains stuck at the physical level.

Hatha Yoga, at its core, is about cultivating Prana. The ancient Yogis understood that energy shaped perception, and only by deepening our connection to Prana can we move beyond the surface and experience the deeper truths of yoga.