The Pranamaya Kosha: Our Energy Body

In this blog post, we’ll explore the Pranamaya Kosha — our energy body — and discover how our breathing, our energy levels and the way we respond to everyday life are all connected.

Have you ever noticed how different your energy can feel from one day to the next? Some mornings we wake feeling full of vitality, while on others, even the simplest tasks can feel like an effort.

In yoga, the Pancha Koshas offer a way of understanding the different layers of our being and how we experience the world around us. We begin with the physical body, the most tangible layer, before turning our attention to the more subtle energy that animates it.

Some mornings you wake feeling refreshed, ready to embrace the day. On others, even the simplest tasks seem to take a little more effort. Perhaps you feel tired but restless at the same time, as though your body needs a rest but your mind hasn’t quite got the message.

Or maybe you recognise that feeling of being wound up like a spring — shoulders creeping towards your ears, jaw clenched, breath held without even realising it.

These are all familiar parts of being human. And they offer us a little insight into the second layer of wellbeing explored in yoga: the Pranamaya Kosha, often described as the energy body.

What is the Pranamaya Kosha?

In yogic philosophy, prana is often translated as life force or vital energy. It is the principle associated with the energy that animates us, while pranamaya kosha refers to the layer of our being connected with this life force.

You don’t need to understand the Sanskrit to appreciate the idea. Think of those moments when you feel full of vitality, compared with times when you feel flat, depleted or overwhelmed.

Our breathing offers one way of noticing what’s happening.

When we’re relaxed, our breath often flows naturally and comfortably. When we’re anxious, rushing or concentrating hard, we may breathe more quickly, take shallower breaths or unconsciously hold our breath. When we’re exhausted, even breathing can sometimes feel like an effort.

Our breath and our sense of energy are closely connected to how we feel, both physically and emotionally.

When we’re running on empty — or running on overdrive

Modern life can ask a great deal of us. We juggle responsibilities, care for others, make decisions and try to keep up with an endless stream of demands.

Sometimes we run on empty, pushing ourselves through the day when what we really need is rest. At other times, we seem unable to switch off, even when we finally have a moment to ourselves.

Yoga invites us to notice these patterns without judging ourselves.

Rather than always asking, “How can I do more?”, perhaps we can begin asking, “What does my energy need right now?”

Sometimes the answer is movement. A gentle stretch, a walk in the fresh air or a few energising yoga postures can help us feel more awake and alive.

At other times, we need to soften our efforts. Slowing down, relaxing unnecessary tension and allowing the breath to settle can help us move away from that feeling of being constantly wound up.

It’s not about having boundless energy every day. It’s about becoming more aware of our needs and learning how to respond to them.

Finding balance through yoga

In our yoga practice, we begin to pay attention to the relationship between movement, breath and effort.

We might notice that we hold our breath when a posture feels challenging. We may discover that relaxing the shoulders allows the breath to flow more easily, or that moving gently with the breath leaves us feeling calmer and more centred.

We don’t have to force the breath or make it do anything special. Often, simply noticing it is enough to begin with.

As we practise, we learn to recognise when we’re pushing too hard, when we’re holding tension unnecessarily, and when we need to pause.

This awareness can gradually extend beyond the yoga mat. We might notice our shoulders tightening as we read an email, our breath becoming shallow in a stressful situation, or our energy dipping when we’ve been doing too much without a break.

That small moment of recognition gives us a choice. We can pause, release some tension, take a comfortable breath and decide what we need next.

A little practice for everyday life

The next time you feel rushed, tired or wound up, try this simple exercise.

• Pause. Let whatever you’re doing wait for a moment.
• Notice. Are your shoulders lifted? Is your jaw tight? Are you holding your breath?
• Soften. Allow your shoulders to relax and release any unnecessary tension.
• Breathe. Notice the natural rhythm of your breathing, without forcing it or trying to take especially deep breaths.
• Listen. Ask yourself what would help you most right now. A little movement? A drink of water? A few minutes of quiet? Or perhaps simply permission to stop for a while?

It takes less than a minute, but it can be a useful reminder that we don’t have to respond to every demand by pushing harder.

The Whole of You

The Pranamaya Kosha reminds us that wellbeing isn’t simply about the physical body. It’s also about how we experience our energy, how we respond to the demands of daily life, and how we find our way back to balance.

As we grow older, learning to listen to ourselves becomes particularly valuable. We may not have the same reserves of energy every day, and we may need to find a different rhythm. But we can still nurture our vitality, develop greater awareness and discover ways to feel more at ease in ourselves.

In yoga, we begin by noticing the breath. From there, we become a little more attentive to the subtle messages our body is sending us.

Your daily reminder: You don’t always need to do more to feel better. Sometimes, the most helpful thing you can do is pause, breathe and listen.

If you would like to learn more about this subject – why not join us? Have a look at the timetable and see which class suits you. Feel free to get in touch with any questions or to book your space.