Hey! My name is Elyce Elowen, and I’m a certified yogi who has been practicing and teaching yoga for the last few years.
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ToggleWe are going to talk about the Manomaya Kosha today. This important part of yoga works on the energy layer of the mind and affects thoughts, feelings, and mental sharpness.
It does more than just cover the mind; it affects how we see the world and connect with our inner selves.
We learn that the Manomaya Kosha is an integral part of our minds that affects our feelings, choices, and general health. It connects our inner and outer experiences.
By joining us, you are ready to improve your yoga practice and have fun while trying it together.
What is Kosha Yoga?
A kosha is a Vedantic “sheath” or covering of the Atman, or Self. According to the Taittiriya Upanishad, panchakosha are onion layers.
According to Eastern philosophy, your soul is surrounded by koshas. The Taittiriya Upanishad describes them, and the sixth-century B.C. Vedas explain spiritual liberation.
Koshas are nestled. Joy’s body or soul is innermost, while the physical body is outermost.
- Annamaya kosha
- Pranamaya kosha
- Manomaya kosha
- Vijnanamaya kosha
- Anandamaya kosha

What Does Manomaya Kosha Mean?
Manomaya kosha is the third of the body’s five layers, or sheaths. In yogic thought, these five layers are called pancha kosha. The manomaya kosha is the mental shell. It is made up of manas, which means “mind.” The manomaya kosha is connected to our instinctual awareness, thoughts, and how we see things.
A big part of the yogic ideas of identity and ego are thought to be manomaya kosha. People say that manomaya kosha makes it seem like there is a difference between “I” and “you.”
The thinking of thoughts and feelings is part of manomaya. In this case, it’s where the lower and top sheaths meet. It concerns the parts of the mind that control daily life and how we see the world.
It connects the energy body (Pranamaya Kosha) to the bodily body (Annamaya Kosha). This layer is in charge of:
- Taking in sense information.
- Keeping memories safe.
- Changing how people feel.
- Guiding mental tasks like concentrating and making choices. [1]
Benefits of Balancing the Manomaya Kosha
Time spent balancing the Manomaya Kosha yields great rewards:
- Better mental health: Less stress, anxiety, and overthinking.
- Emotional resilience: Better handling life’s ups and downs.
- Improved intuition: Trusting your inner guidance.
- Enhanced focus and productivity.
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The Role of the Manomaya Kosha in Daily Life
The Manomaya Kosha is always at work in our lives. It changes the way we think, feel, and act. This sheath not only controls how we think logically but also controls our feelings and mental habits.
When your Manomaya Kosha is in balance, these things happen:
- A mind that is clear and sharp.
- Stability in emotions.
- Good relationships with other people.
Then again, if it’s off, you might feel:
- Feeling too many feelings.
- Still trying to figure out what to think or feel.
- Stuck in bad thoughts.
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Challenges of the Manomaya Kosha
Working with the Manomaya Kosha can be challenging because the mind likes to think too much or respond emotionally. These are some common problems:
- Having trouble calming an anxious thought.
- Has a hard time letting go of bad feelings.
- Resistance to looking at oneself and becoming aware of oneself. [2]
Final Words
The Manomaya Kosha isn’t just a layer of thought; it’s a way to get clear thinking, balanced emotions, and inner peace. You can feel more connected to yourself and the world by taking care of this mental sheath with yoga, awareness, and self-reflection.
Gaining knowledge and balancing the Manomaya Kosha is a satisfying process that can help anyone, no matter how experienced, live a happy and healthy life.
Source:
Manomaya Kosha. (n.d.). The Yoga Sanctuary.
Matullo, L. (2023, July 26). What to do when we’re done talking about our emotions: Manomaya Kosha — Leanne Matullo. Leanne Matullo.