08/17/2026
One Self, seven shells.
In Sanskrit, KOSHA means sheath. The koshas can be imagined as layers, or lenses, of experience. In Hinduism, there are five: matter (ANNAMAYA), life force (PRANAMAYA), mind (MANOMAYA), intellect(VIJNANAMAYA), bliss (ANANDAMAYA); and Vajrayana Buddhism adds two additional layers: consciousness (CHITTAMAYA) and the complex of karmic motivations (ATMAMAYA).
Most modern yoga works with the first shell alone. Universal Yoga works toward strength, balance and unification across all of them to help overcome bias of any shell.
The full map is taught in Yoga Philosophy Applied. Lecture 1 is our gift: https://www.yogaforlifepdx.com/yoga-philosophy-applied/course-preview
Be curious. Seek knowledge, practice, and attain wisdom. π