by Ram Alley near Pourville by Claude Monet In my earlier posts on Ashtanga Yoga, I discussed the first four angas or steps (yama, niyama, asana, and pranayama), all of which enable practitioners to become more flexible, stable, and grounded in order to move easily into a regulated breath practice and to further develop inner focus and concentration. Pratyahara is step 5 of the 8 steps. Verse 2.54 in the Yoga Sutras describes pratyahara as:  sva vishaya asamprayoge chittasya svarupe anukarah iva indriyanam pratyaharah When the mental organs of senses and actions (indriyas) cease to be engaged with the corresponding objects in their mental realm, and assimilate or turn back into the mind-field from which they arose, this is called pratyahara. —Swami Jnaneshvara   Most teachers and nearly all of the textual commentaries define pratyahara as “withdrawal of senses.” Our five senses serve as portals or gateways into our body, mind, and consciousness. We are what we taste, smell,...