How can we take care of our three bodies, five koshas and five elements? The three bodies are the physical, subtle (astral) and causal (karmic). The five koshas or sheaths are annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, vijnanamaya and anandamaya. The elements are earth, water, fire, air and ether.

The bodies, koshas and elements are all connected. The physical body is connected to the material world and the first kosha or sheath, Annamaya and is a part of the body. The subtle astral body is the invisible to the trained eye. It is formed by the subtle organs of action and the three koshas pranamama, manomaya and vijananmaya. The causal body is what gives meaning to our existence. It can only be experienced through deep introspection. t is what we call the soul or atman and it is just consciousness residing in the body. It is connected to the Anandaamya sheath.

The Koshas are described in the Taittiriya Upanishad. They are connected to the different elements. Annamaya is connected to earth element. Pranamaya is connected to the water element. Manomaya is connected to the fire element. Vigyanamaya is connected to the air element. Anandamaya is connected to the ether element. The koshas are also connected to our states of awareness (waking, dreaming and sleep) and our three bodies.

Dear ones, it is complicated. However, there is a key which opens the gate of the bodies, koshas and elements. It is so simple, all one has to do is practice the Samvrit pranayama. What is the Samvrit pranayama? The Samvrit pranayama is the balancing pranayama. It is the pranayama in charge. It develops awareness of the breath while inhaling, internal pausing, exhaling and external pausing.

The practice of Samvrit pranayama

Inhale to the count of five, pause to the count of five, exhale to the count of five, pause to the count of five. One can start with the count of three or just awareness because it can be difficult. The duration of the pauses and exhalation are increased.

What happens here?

Inhalation leads to purification of the breath with prana and oxygenation. The pause is when the oxygenated blood with prana goes to all aspects of our digestive system. We are addressing physical, mental, and emotional system. The exhalation works on our senses, movement, immunity system, reproductive system and expulsion of negative emotions and experiences. The pause after exhalation recharges the 72 thousand Nadis. This is the way we breathe. There is always a gap between the inhalation, exhalation and post exhalation. The pauses are very essential and vital for our wellbeing. With Samvrit pranayama we are becoming aware of the pauses.

By becoming aware and practicing the Samvrit pranayama we are restoring our equanimity and wellbeing. One can add the mantra of choice or So Ham, and include khechari mudra and ujjayi pranayama. If dear ones we do this whenever we have free moments, we will see a visible change in ourselves.

It will guide us on the path to spiritual discovery.

Aim Hrim Klim