Annamaya Kosha – “The overall food” or physical body

Annamaya Kosha is the heaviest five Kosha, the envelope made of “food”: the physical body. The practice of asanas influence healthy annamaya Kosha. A relaxed state and internalized, various movements, slow and precise, the immobility of postures, relaxation, promote the flow of energy in the physical body and strengthening it. The mental relaxation afforded by sitting relieves the body at all levels and into its cellular structure, which recharge and regenerate.

Postures involve changes in several physiological systems, including hormonal and nervous systems, which in turn will pass their effects on emotional state and thought. The physical body is both a “cage” – as the soul of the Yogi is “shut up” – and a vehicle of transformation.

It is said that each asana gives the opportunity to experience a level of awareness of the particular setting: the Cobra, Fish, Tree, the Hero, Nataraj, … Thus, every posture, enjoyed fully, is seen as some form of “liberation”. The postures are to support awareness of the fine being.

Mobilization, stretching, creating space where there was none. So open new passages to the movement, Prana, and consciousness. The body and mind are strengthened by this practice that is both rigorous (Sthira) and soft (Sukha).