Asanas, Koshas & Elements: An Essential Relationship
by Mark Giubarelli

In February Mark Giubarelli will present the integrated concepts of the 5 natural elements and the 5 yogic bodies known as Koshas. This presentation will include asana practice to experience the 5 elements of earth, water, fire, air and space in relationship to the 5 bodies: anatomical, physiological, psychological, intellectual, blissful--leading to a wonderful theory of how we can attain a state of bliss throughout the body even if we have not reached an advanced state in the postures. Following are Mark's thoughts on the nature of this workshop.

"The five elements and Koshas are essential to your proper understanding of this art. You cannot understand balance of harmony if you do not perceive all these layers and elements." That is what my teachers told me in my earlier years. Many thousands of classes down the road and the clarification has come. Not only has the clarity come, but with it is the ability to give a clear presentation of these theories and concepts to people, even those with no understanding of yoga.
It is complicated to write about these matters and how they are viewed in the yoga postures. So I will just touch upon them. The elements start with the heaviest: earth--skin, bone, and flesh;water---fluids in the body; fire--mental charge that is applied to the body; Air--the air in the body; Space--viewed by my teachers as mental presence. The Five Bodies (Koshas) starting with the heaviest: Anatomical Body; Physiological Body; Psychological Body; Intellectual Body; Blissful Body.

It is necessary to consider each body; otherwise it is almost impossible to reach a blissful state in not only the Yoga posture being performed but also on the sequence and transitioning from posture to posture. We can think of the five bodies like this while in a posture. How is the bone structure? Can I push any further? What effect does this have on my nervous system and mind? How does this posture affect my breathing? Is there that state of lightness in the pose where I am engulfed in light and that light is engulfed in me…where I am no longer inside or out…where I am one with the light that is all around me?
I hope you can attend this presentation talking first about the theories above and then applying those theories to a Yoga Sequence. (Note: Sanskrit left out.)

Mark has taught thousands of classes in the Denver Area, specializing in Vinyasa style, the art of sequencing. He is originally from Scotland, where he began the study of Yoga that eventually carried him to further studies in California and a teaching life in Colorado.