Pratyahara
/On the 6th Day of Christmas, I withdraw from the chaos.
We have lots of strategies to withdraw. Sadly the greatest these days is to withdraw to our devices and screens.
But this is not real withdrawal, actually, we are seeking more stimulation by doing this.
I am guilty of this. I have caught myself feeling exhausted and wanting to switch off only to turn to my phone and flip mindlessly through images and messages all of which are stimulating my mind and senses.
I am only withdrawing from my family and those around me. This is not the true sense of withdrawal that we are looking at in Pratyahara.
“Pratyahara is either the silencing of the senses and keeping them in their position passively, or the drawing inwards of the senses so that they may dwell on the core of the being”
BKY Iyengar pg 6 The Tree of Yoga
Today’s practice is in PRATYAHARA - Withdrawal of Senses
Pratyahara is the withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and sensual objects.
“asana practice takes one’s mind to peep inside the body, it is in pranayama that one begins to learn to with draw the senses and mind from their external engagement”
BKS Iyengar pg 99 Light On Life.
In your asana or pranayama practice can you recall an experience of pratyahara? Even if it was only a fleeting moment, I am sure you can recall it, because it is an experience worth remembering.
For example, that moment when the pose felt effortless. That moment your mind was focused on the breath and nothing else. That moment where everything was still and worry-free.
Can you recall a moment like this?
Imagine being able to turn this switch on whenever we needed it so that we could instantly be in the moment of stillness and quiet when life overwhelms us.
OBSERVATION
Recall a time that you felt overwhelmed and anxious
Recall how your body feels
Recall how you mind is
Recall how your breath is
I simply want you for a moment to recall the feelings in the body, mind, and breath of being overwhelmed and anxious. Maybe you don’t have to do recall it, because you are feeling it right now.
Notice how in these moments the energy is escaping from us. The energy is chaotic and whirlwind like.
Let us use today’s practice to bring these energies under control.
“In Sanskrit, pratyahara literally means to draw toward the opposite”
BKS Iyengar, pg 100 Light On Life.
PRACTICE
We will use pranayama and awareness of the koshas to do this.
Set the timer for 10 minutes
Lie in savasana.
Spend the 10 minutes oscillating between the body, mind, and breath with the intention of aligning them.
First focus on your body, how it feels, let it become heavy and weighted.
The mind will continuously charge in with thoughts, judgments, and ideas.
As soon as you catch the mind has shifted from the body bring it back to the body.
Repeat this back and forth between the body and mind until you are able to stay with the body.
Now shift your awareness to the breath.
The mind is looking for movement and action so bring the mind to focus on the movement of the breath.
Again when you notice the mind charging in, bring your awareness back to the body, and then to the breath.
Continue the practice of focussing the mind on the body and breath until the timer goes off.
Through this practice, we are honing our senses, so that we can be more aware of our sensory responses in daily life and keep them under control when we go about our daily activities.
It’s not an easy practice but if you keep at it, the rewards are well worth the effort.
If you want to read more about pratyahara see pages 99-105 in Light On Life.
If you want to get on the mat with me and practice, I’m offering a 30 Day Trial of my Home Yoga Practice Membership for $1. Sign up now! This offer is only available for the 12 Days of Christmas.