Pyramid Dyana Maiyam Written around 400 CE by an author and sage named Patanjali, the Yoga Sutras describes what yoga is, how to practice it, and the benefits of practicing. The text shares eight techniques (referred to as the eight “limbs”) for arriving to enlightenment (a state of union) through the practice of yoga (unifying practices).
The restraint of the senses occurs when the mind is able to remain in its chosen direction and the senses disregard the different objects around them to faithfully follow the direction of the mind. Then the senses are mastered. At the beginning of our asana practice, Pratyahara shows up when we actively decide to settle down. We choose to soften our gaze or close our eyes. And we rest our bodies in stillness for a brief time.
We find ourselves aware of our breath, heartbeat, mood, and thoughts. Some yoga teachers refer to these crucial moments as “centering.” We make a decision to restrain ourselves from looking around, from trying to make sense of what we hear, from tasting, smelling, and from moving about.
