The human soul residing in the human body and the human consciousness flowing through the human mind creates a five-dimensional sensory core underneath the foundation of human health.
The Indian perspective of human psychology stated in the ancient Upanishad’s Panch Kosha Theory considers the highly developed potential of human existence in the physically, socially, and spiritually interconnected comprehensive system of one’s holistic, sustainable, and wholesome fitness as the basis of a perfectly healthy human being.
The imbalance in these five Kosha’s of Physical Sheath (Annamaya); Life Force Sheath (Pranamaya); Mental Sheath (Manomaya); Wisdom Sheath (Vijananmaya); and Bliss Body (Anandmaya) leads to all the psychological and physiological issues faced by humans.
Healing these five dimensions from 2021 is Wellness Hub 4Me, founded by Shibashis Chakraborty, Founder and Managing Director.
Fostering Holistic Human Growth
According to him, the five dimensions of the human being comprise all those areas that contain the potentialities of men and women. Developing these potentialities translates into the personal, integral and complete growth of the human being.
Describing the five Kosha’s Shibashis says,
*Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath): is one of the layers of awareness that veil the Atman–or true self. It is the sheath of the physical (body) self, the grossest of the five koshas, named from the fact that it is nourished by food. Living through this layer, humans identify themselves with a mass of skin, flesh, fat, bones, and faeces, while the human of discrimination knows oneself, the only reality that there is, as distinct from the body. The physical body is formed from the essence of food. Birth and death are the attributes of the Annamaya Kosha.
*Pranamaya Kosha (Life Force Sheath): is the second sheath of the yogic philosophy defining the life force flowing in the human body. Pranamaya means composed of prana, the vital principle, the force that vitalizes and holds together the body and the mind. It pervades the whole organism. It’s one physical manifestation is the breath. As long as this vital principle exists in the organisms, life continues. Coupled with the five organs of action, it forms the vital sheath. In the Vivekachudamani, it is a modification of vayu or air. It enters into and comes out of the body.
*Manomaya (Mental Sheath): is the mind residing in the brain, making the third Kosha or mental sheath developing throughout a human’s time on earth. Manomaya means composed of manas or mind. The mind, along with the five sensory organs, constitutes the manomaya kosha. The manomaya kosha, or “mind-sheath,” is said more truly to approximate personhood than annamaya kosha and pranamaya kosha. It is the cause of diversity, of ‘I’ and mine. Adi Shankara likens it to clouds brought in by the wind and again driven away by the same agency. Similarly, man’s bondage is caused by the mind, and liberation is caused by that alone.
*Vijananmaya (Wisdom Sheath): The continuous inflow of knowledge a human being gained and creates one’s unique perspective about the world and the self is the fourth Kosha called the wisdom sheath. Vijñānamaya means composed of vijñāna, or intellect, the faculty which discriminates, determines or wills. Chattampi Swamikal defines vijñānamaya as the combination of intellect and the five sense organs. It is the sheath composed of more intellection associated with the organs of perception. Sankara holds that the buddhi, with its modifications and the organs of knowledge, forms the cause of man’s transmigration. This knowledge sheath, which seems to be followed by a reflection of the power of the cit, is a modification of prakrti. It is endowed with the function of knowledge and identifies itself with the body, organs etc.
*Anandmaya (Bliss Body): is the fifth and the final layer or Kosha that decides the eternal bliss erupting through one’s cosmic reality of consciousness. Anandamaya means composed of ananda or bliss. It is the subtlest of the five koshas. In the Upanishads, the sheath is also known as the causal body. In a deep sleep, when the mind and senses cease functioning, it still stands between the finite world and the self. Anandamaya, or that which is composed of supreme bliss, is regarded as the innermost of all. The bliss sheath normally has its fullest play during deep sleep: while in the dreaming and wakeful states, it has only a partial manifestation. The blissful sheath (anandamaya kosha) is a reflection of the Atman, which is truth, beauty, and bliss absolute.
Bringing Back India’s Ancient Wellness Treasure
Sharing his Inspirations behind venturing as a wellness centre, Shibashis says they were ‘To reform the wellness business in the hospitality industry by producing leaders for it. To bring back the lost wellness practices from ancient Indian culture. And “To give back to society what we have received positively.”
Further highlighting the USPs that make Wellness Hub stand out as the most valuable company, he says the Wellness HUB is run by hardcore wellness professionals like Dr Abhijit Sinha Roy (With a Homeopathy background) and myself (with a Yoga background). He informs, “We are launching lost wellness treasures of India to the spa and wellness industry.”
Sharing the initial challenges after venturing and the current challenges faced and encountered, Shibashis says that recruiting and training skilled professional therapists is the biggest challenge in this industry and retaining them is much tougher. He reveals they have mastered that art by sourcing therapists by referral source and retaining them by giving them the best pay package in the industry and a stress-free working environment.
Avoiding Human Errors with Technology
Being an experienced leader, sharing his opinion on how technology is transforming the wellness sector and what advancements can be expected in the future, Shibashis says that nowadays, all bookings happen online. Consumers find them online. Thus, they had to increase their online presence. “We have adopted software-based operation to save time and to avoid human errors,” he adds. In the future, AI shall make a big difference in terms of analyzing customers’ choices and preferences in their industry.
In his advice to aspirants willing to venture into the wellness field, Shibashis appeals to be authentic in the product, take care of ground-level colleagues, and pay them well. “Then they shall take care of your customers.”
The Perpetual Force of Future Wellness
On envisioning scaling Wellness Hub’s scope and offerings in future, he reveals they shall be present in all forms of wellness business – Daycare urban centres, Destination wellness centres, resort and hotel spas and wellness home care products.
He also informs that ASSOCHAM recognized Wellness Hub 4Me as the Most Preferred Wellness Companies in India in 2022.
“We are working with renowned brands like – Radisson, Royal Orchid, and Summit group of hotels. More big brands are in the pipeline to join hands with us to manage their wellness business. We are now present in five states – Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Tamilnadu,” he concludes.
