Yoga Therapy and the Pancha Maya Model
by JJ Gormley, MS, C-IAYT, E-RYT, CN
The Pancha Maya model means five layers and is rooted in the ancient yogic text, Taittiriya Upanishad, which provides a holistic framework for understanding the different layers of human existence. This model is often referred to incorrectly as the “five koshas,” but the word kosha was not from the original text and was only recently added. The word kosha means container and is used in Ayurvedic terminology for organs containing things like the bladder (urine) or the stomach (food). These five layers are not containers but rather permeable layers, each influencing the others. These five layers, or sheaths, describe five interconnected layers that encompass the layers of our being, including physical, energetic, mental, personality or wisdom, and spiritual or emotional aspects of being. When aligned with the Pancha Maya model, yoga therapy addresses each of these layers to promote comprehensive healing and well-being.
The Annamaya is the layer that governs our physical body and is nourished by food. It is the outermost layer, corresponding to the physical body made of matter and sustained by food and drink. It includes muscles, bones, organs, and tissues. In Yoga Therapy, physical yoga postures target the Annamaya by improving strength, flexibility, balance, and overall physical health. Therapeutic yoga focuses on specific conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, or injury recovery. Proper diet and lifestyle modifications are encouraged in yoga therapy to nourish this layer in alignment with the physical body.
The layers move from the most gross layer to more subtle layers. The annamaya is seen, can be felt, moved, etc. It is more gross than the next layer, the Pranamaya or Energetic Body, nourished by our breath. The pranamaya corresponds to the flow of prana (life force or vital energy) through the body. It includes the winds of the body (of which there are five, each governing some movement within the body, one of the five governing the movement of the joints or the body itself. Our energy has a lot to do with how we sleep and nourish ourselves, so diet and the distribution of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space) come into play for Yoga Therapy. The breath and the energy pathways known as nadis and chakras also come into play in this layer. Yoga Therapy uses pranayama or breath practices to help regulate and enhance the flow of prana, addressing issues such as sleep, insomnia, anxiety, respiratory problems, and fatigue.
The Manomaya, or Mental Body, is nourished by what you “feed” your mind. The mind wants to keep learning and discovering, and we continue to bring things into the mind via the senses to keep our cognitive ability strong. What are you reading, watching, hearing, etc., that is enhancing your mind? There is a difference between listening, reading, or watching so-called “trash TV, trash novels, etc.” versus watching informative documentaries or moving dramas. Nourishing our minds with positive things versus violent, negative input makes a difference in the health of this layer of our being. This layer governs sensory input and the processing of information, influencing how we perceive the world. In yoga therapy, practices that calm the mind, such as mindfulness meditation and guided imagery, balance this layer by reducing negative or violent input (news, violent TV shows, etc.), bringing positive images, and reading uplifting stories. Repeating mantras or positive affirmations can help reprogram negative thought patterns and enhance mental clarity. Yoga Nidra is a deep relaxation technique that allows the mind to rest and heal, addressing stress and psychological imbalances.
The Vijnanamaya is the special knowledge or wisdom body. It is the layer associated with the knowledge you have learned and held near and dear to your heart. This is the knowledge you believe is true and becomes part of your philosophical belief system. It represents higher knowledge, wisdom, and discernment, part of your faith and confidence. This knowledge may have led you on the path you are on. It encompasses intuition, insight, and a deeper understanding of life’s purpose—your dharma. Yoga therapy applications may use practices that encourage self-reflection and inner inquiry to help individuals connect with their inner wisdom, fostering greater self-awareness and clarity. One might explore yogic philosophy, ethics (Yamas and Niyamas), and spiritual teachings to help cultivate wisdom and align actions with higher truths. Mindfulness practices through meditation support the development of intuitive understanding and insight.
The last of these pancha (five) layers is the Anandamaya or Bliss Body. Ananda means endless joy or bliss, and as the innermost layer, Anandamaya is the state of pure pleasure, contentment, and spiritual happiness. It represents the experience of oneness and connection to the universal consciousness. It is the ability to experience joy in the present moment, to be able to look forward to something in the future that you know will be joyful, and also to have joyous memories of the past. Past, present, and future joy. Yoga Therapy Applications may include meditation and contemplation. These practices can help individuals access this layer of bliss, promoting a sense of peace and fulfillment. We may wish to consider the things in our life that weren’t joyful and then work to make those things right, especially if we had some fault in them, guilt due to them, or otherwise need to set our karma straight about past issues, then we may be able to look forward to joyful events in the future.
While the last layer, the vijñāna layer, was about dharma, this layer is about karma. Practices that encourage spiritual connection, or Seva or Karma Yoga (selfless service), support the balance of the Anandamaya. Yoga therapy also encourages letting go of attachments and embracing the present moment, facilitating access to the blissful state.
Yoga therapy, when applied through the Pancha Maya model, provides a comprehensive approach to healing by addressing all layers of being:
Physical: Yoga therapy heals and strengthens the body through asanas and lifestyle changes.
Energetic: Regulating prana through breathwork and energy practices ensures vitality and balance.
Mental: Being mindful of what we take into our minds and intellect and using meditation and cognitive practices that calm and focus the mind.
Wisdom or Personality: Self-inquiry and philosophical study deepen understanding of our beliefs, leading to wise decision-making.
Bliss: Spiritual practices and deep meditation help individuals connect with their innermost state of joy and peace.
Yoga therapy, grounded in the Pancha Maya model, offers a multidimensional approach to healing that integrates the body, mind, and spirit. By addressing each layer, yoga therapy supports holistic well-being, helping individuals achieve balance, harmony, and a deep sense of fulfillment across all layers of their being.