Uncovering the Sacred Layers: Annamaya Kośa
This week we’ll begin an exploration through the sacred layers we call the kośa (kosha). These layers help explain how we experience the world - from gross physical existence to the more and more subtle layers of existence.
Annamaya kośa begins our journey inward. Annamaya kośa refers to our physical body and the gross, tangible ways we interact with and experience the world.
Many of us find our way to yoga through annamaya kośa, as a physical practice for the physical body, and indeed, this is the layer of being that yogāsana primarily focuses on. Unfortunately, the view of yoga in the west rarely moves beyond this kośa and into the more subtle aspects of the practice. Western practitioners tend to view yoga as just another form of exercise and movement. However, a skillful practice will help you use your body, annamaya kośa, as an entryway to your more subtle states of existence.
Many yoga traditions view the body as something to be transcended. In fact, the yoga sūtra (2.40) state that through practice we aim to develop a distaste for the body, seeing the body and our identification with it as a distraction to the true quest of gaining mastery over the mind. This is one of the reasons that brahmacarya (chastity, celibacy) is viewed as a virtue in yoga according to Patañjali — when you develop a distaste for the human body, your desires cease.
In the Tantric traditions, however, the body is seen not as something to be transcended, but rather, an integral aspect of how we exist in the world. Our bodies are viewed as a means for experiencing the unity and connection that is at the heart of yoga. The body is seen as containing the entire Universe within it, and when we understand the body (the entire body, from the most physical gross expression of the body to the most subtle expression of spirit) we understand the Universe and exist in Unity with it.
Body centric practices are great ways to begin exploring this outermost layer of existence; dance, yoga āsana, and loving, consensual sexual intercourse are just a few ways to explore connecting to your body. In any, or all, of your body centric practices use these tips to help you connect deeper with the messaging within your body:
Feel Your Way: Let your body, as opposed to your thinking mind, guide you. Celebrate your body and its sensual nature. Dancing? Close your eyes and move freely, try not to think about what anyone else is doing or thinking, and instead just feel the rhythms in your body. Yoga? Try some freeform movement and let your body guide you into the shapes that feel most welcomed and natural in your body, not forced. Sex? Don’t think about what you think it should look like, don’t get caught up in stigma about what’s “dirty” or unacceptable. Just do what feels good!
Explore: Begin with what’s familiar to you and then explore something new. Dancing? Start by simply bobbing your head or swaying your hips, then close your eyes and try adding some movements of your shoulders and arms, turn in a circle, try to move your feet, and before you know it you’re in your body feeling joy! Yoga? Start with a form of a posture that you feel familiar with, the way you always practice Warrior 2 pose for instance, then little by little make modifications — raise your arms higher than normal, lunge more or less in the front knee, change the spacing of your feet, float your arms up and down, notice the sensations shift and your enjoyment of the pose increase. Sex? Stop being so boring……try something new, get creative. A new position, a new location, a new toy. You have to explore and experiment to find what creates pleasure in your body.
Allow Sound: When we get into our heads too much we tend to hold our breath, and/or breathe shallow. Vocalizing can get you out of your head and into your body. Dancing? Get in the rhythm and try singing along while you dance. Yoga? Take in a deep breath and let out a big open mouthed sigh. Sex? You know the drill! Make some noise.
Come back next week as we continue our journey through the layers of being. Until then celebrate your beautiful body!!