According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the state of health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being and not merely an absence of disease or infirmity.

As per the yogic tradition and Taittiriya Upanishadic principles, there are five sheaths of existence of man. The sheaths are called ‘Kosha’, which means layers of existence. The five layers (Pancha Kosha) are:

1. Annamaya Kosha                   -           Physical body

2. Pranamaya Kosha                  -           Pranic body

3. Manomaya Kosha                  -           Mind body

4. Vijnanamaya kosha                -           Intellect body

5. Anandamaya Kosha               -           Bliss body

1.Annamaya Kosha (Physical body):

The first and the grossest sheath is the physical frame, which we all are familiar, is called Annamaya Kosha. It is the physical body with its biological function and predominantly material needs and wants. This physical body is made of solid matter consisting of Pancha Bhutas, the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space).

2. Pranamaya Kosha (Pranic body)

The second subtle sheath (kosha) is the ‘pranamaya kosha’ featured by the predominance of prana, the life force. In this sheath, the flows through the invisible channels called ‘Nadis’. The vital energy (prana) flows continuously in each and every cell. The balanced flow of prana in right proportion keeps the cells healthy.

3. Manomaya kosha (mind body)

Subtler to the prana is the mind, the thinking aspect called Manomaya Kosha. This sheath is the abode of thoughts, emotions, desires likes and dislikes, etc. Conflicts arising in the Manomaya Kosha are called Aadhi (stress). A chronic worry, tension or anxiety, leads to habitual imbalances at Manomaya Kosha. This over a period of time percolates into the Pranamaya kosha and settles in one organ of the Annamaya Kosha manifesting as psychosomatic disorders.

4.Vijnanamaya Kosha (Intellect body)

Vijnanamaya Kosha is the sheath of knowledge and wisdom. It is the discriminating faculty of the mind. This is the concept library that guides the Manomaya Kosha. This ‘conscience’, which is highly, evolved in human beings, differentiates man from animals. This sheath is firm and there is no waver.

5. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss body)

In Anandamaya Kosha, the subject sheath of the human existence, the person is established in internal bliss. This forms the basic stuff and core of every individual. This is alertful inner silence. Every one touches this state whenever he is happy. A yogi is a person who can dwell in the state of Anandamaya Kosha without an object, for example good music for the ears, to reach this deep silence.

Principles of Yogic Management

We have already seen the five Koshas. Among the five Koshas, Annamaya is the grossest one. All the other Koshas are subtler in their sequence and the Anandamaya Kosha is the subtle one. An individual needs proper balance of all the five Koshas to be in a state of complete health.

According to the principles of yogic management the disturbance occurs in the Manomaya Kosha (mental body) due to the interaction with the world. This disturbs the Pranamaya Kosha (prana body) finally manifests as a disease in the Annamaya Kosha or physical body. Due to this ailment the individual become unhappy and low in intellectual caliber. Thus they develop ill health and imbalance in all the five layers of existence.

Yogic management provides various techniques to bring back the balance of each Koshas. The techniques are as follows:

1. Annamaya Kosha            -           Asanas, kriyas, diet and relaxation

2. Pranamaya Kosha           -           Pranayama practices

3. Manomaya Kosha           -           Meditation and devotional sessions

4. Vijnanamaya Kosha        -           Notional correction through counseling.

5. Anandamaya Kosha     -           Practice of joy in all circumstance and work in relaxation (Karma Yoga)

            The integrated approach of yoga uses Asanas, Kriyas and yogic diet that belongs to Annamaya Kosha, Pranayama for Pranamaya Kosha, meditation and devotional session that belongs to Manomaya Kosha, notional correction to get the right understanding of the purpose and priorities, at Vijnanamaya Kosha, working in relaxation and living the life in fullness and bliss under all circumstances at the Anandamaya Kosha level. Using of all these practices is essential to bring about total cure of a stress-induced ailment. Thus, by these yogic techniques, can bring health, harmony and peace to the suffering humanity.