Pratyahara: Control of the Senses

Pratyahara: Control of the Senses

by Hannah Greenstreet

The fifth limb of yoga is abstract, complex, and requires drawing deep within to understand the intricate subtleties of our existence. This limb is called pratyahara and it is based on the withdrawal of the senses and our attachment to external objects. The word pratyahara means “to withdraw oneself from that which nourishes the senses.”  Pratyahara focuses on shifting our perceptions of reality by suspending outward reactive tendencies in order to pull that energy inward to be utilized in the body. Think of it as a retreat from outside stimulation. In the same way that yoga asana practice is meant to overcome the turning of the mind through intentional concentration, pratyahara embraces independence from external stimulants rather than living off of the thrills and sorrows of life around us.

By dissolving the attachments around us, we are fulfilled by the truth of direct experience as a sentient being. Getting intimate with our senses is not a simple task; for it requires sharp awareness and a conscious surrender to avoid the distractions of the exterior world.  So often in our daily reality, we are stimulated from the outside in.  This pratyahara reverses that concept and asks us to be vigilant with our perception within the boundaries of our being. Pratyahara is much harder to practice than other limbs like asana (posture) and pranayama (breathing) because it is a detailed look within which cannot be an easy process – it’s vulnerable, unknown, and silent. It gives us the chance to reveal our desires, work to avoid reacting to them and watch the inner body objectively with curiosity of existence. Pratyahara is the opportunity to drop further into our spiritual practice and discover our potential.