Self-Care: Exploring the 5 Layers
Liz Glover Wilson
Our Physical Body - Part One

The call for healing has been coming up a lot. How are you feeling? Are you feeling grief? sadness? fatigue? loneliness?

Maybe right now you feel fine.

Let's check in together.

To have a balanced life, we need to have daily check in with our mind/emotions, wisdom/spiritual self, physical self, energy/social self and our highest self.

I am going to use the Pancha Koshas as our guide through this five part series.

Just a little history (for you history nerds). In ancient scriptures of Hinduism, there was the introduction of a contemplative psychological perspective on motivation, self and development. The Koshas were described in what was known as the Taittiriya Upanshad - written in about 6th century B.C.

Much like the Chakras, we often use the Koshes as a way to provide the framework for conceptualizing and checking in on our being. So we consider the koshas as energetic layers or sheaths that move from the outermost layer of skin to the deep spiritual core. . .

The first of these sheaths Annamaya kosha

If you are reading this, you are living in your Annamaya Kosha - skin, muscles, connective tissue, fat and bones. For a lot of people the first layer might be where we spend the most time hanging out, locked in our physical senses.

We start here, as how we care for our physical self is how we enter overall health for spirit and mind. "Me-time" must be your priority, and our busy and distracting lives pull us away from this critical calling. Make appointments with (and for) yourself. A car cannot move if it has no gas in its tank. Our Annamaya Kosha (physical self) needs fuel daily. Yes, daily care is essential.

Fuel your body by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.
Have you done a gut check? Read more HERE

Detox your stress.
Try a Reiki session or Acupuncture

Add a new self-care routine.
Learn more about Garshana (or dry skin brushing has been practiced in Ayurveda)

Aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
Access bursts of inspiration HERE

Exercise every day.
Move. . .often

Our body is like a temple. Imagine a beautiful sacred place. A place that is cherished. You would want to keep it clean and shining. In the Judeo-Christian scriptures, there is a passage that says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, what this means is "me-time" is essential. It is a sacred essential.

Take time this weekend to add a new sacred daily routine to your life. If you have questions, or want ideas feel free to email me at liz@stonewaveyoga.com.

Self-Care: Exploring the 5 Layers - Our Physical Body - Part 1