What is the Joy Body?

Living in our "joy body" means identifying the activities that bring us bliss and drop us into the present moment.

Yoga teaches that we are more than what we can see on the outside. Like a set of nesting dolls, we have layers that work together to shape how we move, think, feel, connect, and experience the world and joy. In Yoga, these are called “Koshas,” which translates to “layers” in English. At L.O.C.A.L Adventures, we call these layers The Five Bodies: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Energetic, and Joy. This concept shapes how we teach, connect, explore, and create with students across our programs, with the ultimate goal of helping young people tap into their Joy Body—that place of presence, connection, and aliveness—through mindfulness, nature, movement, and creativity.

⬇ EXPLORE THE KOSHAS⬇

The Physical Body
Where We Meet the World

The L.O.C.A.L. Approach:
Your Physical Body is the part of you that moves and uses your five senses. It helps you see colors, hear music, smell dinner, taste your favorite foods, and feel the ground beneath your feet. When you stop and notice what your body can sense, you are saying hello to your Physical Body.

In Practice: What can you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch right now?

Imagine: “When you smell cookies baking, hear a bird singing, or feel the wind on your face, you are using your Physical Body!”

The Mental Body
Where Thoughts Take Shape

The L.O.C.A.L. Approach:
Your Mental Body is your thinking and focusing body. It helps you learn, remember, solve problems, and make choices. Your focus is like a muscle—the more you practice slowing down and paying attention, the stronger it grows.

In Practice: What is your mind thinking about right now? Pause. Then, try to take three breaths while thinking only about your breathing.

Imagine: “Your Mental Body is working when you build a puzzle, listen to a story, or remember where you left your favorite toy!”

The Emotional Body
Where Feelings Move

The L.O.C.A.L. Approach:
Your Emotional Body holds all your feelings: happy, sad, excited, worried, angry, peaceful, and everything in between. Feelings can change and move, just like clouds in the sky. You can name a feeling, notice where you feel it in your body, and breathe while it passes through. Every feeling is welcome.

In Practice: What feeling is visiting you right now? Where do you notice that feeling in your body? What color or shape would you give it?

Imagine: “When your stomach feels butterflies because you are excited, or your face feels hot because you are angry, that is your Emotional Body talking to you!”

The Energetic Body
The Vibe You Present

The L.O.C.A.L. Approach:
Your Energetic Body is your vibe, the feeling you carry with you and share with others. Sometimes your energy feels bright and bouncy. Sometimes it feels quiet, heavy, or tired. Taking a slow breath can help you notice your energy and choose what kind of vibe you want to share today.

In Practice: What kind of energy do you want to share with others?

Imagine: “Sometimes your energy feels like jumping on a trampoline, and sometimes it feels like lying in the grass. Both kinds of energy are okay!”

The JOY Body
The Happiness Felt Within

The L.O.C.A.L. Approach:
Your Joy Body is the peaceful, glowing part deep inside you. You might feel it when you see a beautiful sunset, play outside, make art, move your body, or become so happy and focused that you forget about everything else. Your Joy Body is always part of you, even on days when it is harder to feel.

In Practice: What makes your whole self feel happy and peaceful?

Imagine: “When you are watching a beautiful sunset, and you have a sense of happiness all over, that is your Joy Body shining!”