June Theme of the Month

This year we have been working though Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga which offer guidelines for a meaningful and purposeful life. The first four limbs that we looked at were moral guidelines of restraints with the yamas and daily observances with the niyamas, physical poses with asana and breathing practices with pranayama.

The last of the four limbs of yoga focus on consciousness, mental concentration, meditation and enlightenment. All the limbs help us to cultivate insight to who we are and to stay mindful of what is important and essential in life.

All the limbs are connected as we work through the path of yoga and we often find that they are connected to another rather than separate. Our last theme of Pranayama- breathing helps us to prepare the mind by calming and focusing it for some of the further practices in yoga like sense withdrawal and meditation.

This month we move onto the fifth step on Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga which is Pratyahara. This means withdrawing the senses by removing attachment to sensory stimulation and redirecting awareness inwards.

The actual word Pratyahara is formed of two Sanskrit words. Prati means against or to withdraw. Ahara means food or anything we take in through our senses such as sights, sounds or smells. So put together pratyahara means gaining control over external influences or withdrawing from the sense organs.

Pratyahara is a tool that enables us to stop and look at our inner workings of our mind. Think of it like learning how to reroute your attention inwards as you tune out external distractions. This path of yoga helps us to recognise the differences between our internal and external world and where we direct our energy, attention and awareness.

By finding calmness through our interaction with the outside world we can tune in more and help to restore our mind, body and our spirit.

Pratyahara – Withdrawal of The Senses and Self Discovery

Week 1 - Inward Focus on Breath
The breath is an essential tool to connect with the journey of moving inwards. With pranayama expanding and regulating the flow of breath and increasing prana our life force energy, we guide our breath to create a steady rhythm that aids in calming the mind. The breath and the mind are connected so when the breath is steady the mind becomes steady too. By bringing your attention to your breath you can use it as a constant metronome within the body rather than allowing the wind to wander off to external distractions. Deeper and more, conscious breaths direct your attention away from the external world and back into the present moment.

Week 2 - Observe the World Without Becoming Attached To It
Pratyahara is not about ignoring or running away from external stimulation but concerns more being aware but not reacting to external factors. In the modern world now, which can seem so busy and noisy at time we can feel very overwhelmed by the constant flow of information and sensory input. Pratyahara helps us to be able to witness the world and one’s own mind without getting involved in or affected by external factors and finding a deeper sense of peace as we withdraw our senses from outward distractions.

Week 3 - Redirect Focus and Attention
Sometimes it feels like we are constantly flooded with sensory inputs. Without control our senses seem to be constantly engaged with someone or something. This can lead us to feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Yoga and the practice of Pratyahara helps us to find calmness in the chaos and to withdraw senses from outward distractions back to our inner world. When our senses are tuned into the outside world they reflect the same energy back to us. Being aware of what we feed our minds during the day allows us to realise that our energy is precious, and we can choose where to place it and draw it back inwards to a connection of calmness and steadiness.

Week 4 - Create Space for Quiet and Stillness
In yoga we are often able to reduce the busyness of life as we turn off our phones, redirect our energy inwards and be on our mat for the practice of our class. We find moments of quietness and stillness through our body and the spaces between the poses and the breath. In stillness and gentle quietness, we can turn back inwards and connect to our true self. In today’s word it is important to create intentional spaces of quiet. Noticing what is going on in the mind space, creating moments where we can allow the senses to rest and in yoga taking a few deep breaths when you notice the mind wandering off helps us to reconnect with the present moment and connecting the peacefulness that lies deep within us.

Week 5 - Cultivation of Inner Awareness
Through yoga we start to realise that our senses are not meant to control us. Through practice we invite the connection to turn inwards and listen to the deeper call of our awareness. Pratyahara allows us to awaken to the internal experience. This cultivation takes practice in our life, and it begins with awareness. The energy that is freed from focusing outwards and back inwards can be channelled wisely to the realisation of who we are which is pure consciousness and from this place focus and meditation can be explored.

Related Videos

Focus & Concentration
Yoga To Keep You Centred
Expand Your Awareness, Awaken Your Heart - Part 1
Expand Your Awareness, Awaken Your Heart - Part 2
Expand Your Awareness, Awaken Your Heart - Part 3
Breathe & Relax Deeply

This Month’s Music

Here’s a selection of the music that Vicky has been enjoying this month.