Pratyahara, to withdraw from the external and bring focus to our inner workings, these things we cannot see physically. Pratyahara, a gentle bridging between external and internal workings of Yoga. Consciousness shifts from known to unknown, but in that unknown, truth. But how do we withdraw from the stimuli? There are practices for this through Yoga, of course like Pranayama, concentration on Chidakasha, Ajna Chakra, a candle. But what is your Yoga? Yoga teachings give us an immense ability to learn age old techniques, but what about when we talk of present moment. Present moment means we are living in a fast pace of schedules, work, family, home, financial responsibility, technology and information driven. When do we get time to withdraw?
I left home August 5th this year on my much underused motorcycle. I live in Airdrie, Alberta, and set out to ride to Vancouver Island on my own. I was stressed from a year of trying “to do it all” - keep up self practice, train RYT500, train with others for constant learning/improvement/growth, keep my business afloat and flourishing/meet all students’ needs, remember all my family member’s schedules and attend appointments, on and on it goes. External senses on overload, taking over, and burn out setting in.
I rode initially for 3 days and throughout the time with myself, I did, indeed, begin to withdraw. I let go of the external and allowed the wind to keep thoughts flowing, releasing their hold on me. The external stimulus I knew was completely removed. I was riding each kilometer focused inward. I was very aware at some point that yes I saw the external, the beautiful sights. I inhaled the fresh air of fields, flowers, lakes and trees. I felt the rain, the sun, the wind on my skin. I met people and created relationships. The difference I realized is that these senses and workings all came from within first. It was my withdrawal into the unknown of each part of each kilometer that allowed my inner workings to become vivid and take in the vitality! It was the letting go of what was known that took me into Pratyahara with ease, no mind racing, no trying. It was the present moment, and only that moment, each turn of the tires, that kept me living in this space. Pratyahara was not an hour meditation; it was a 3 week exploration. The flow in which everything moved and occurred during this time was nothing short of spiritual presence, divinity on Earth.
Pratyahara can be attained in many ways; can come to us in many forms. Move more into who you are and let it come to you naturally. There are Yoga techniques and there are our own internal workings that simply let it sweep in. When we are in our truth of self, our own place of personal freedom, there we discover the essence of Pratyahara.
I made it to the ocean. My external and internal senses weaving in and through each other. The walking into warm salt water, tasting it, immersing my body in it; floating along to feel the warmth of the sun, hearing the birds sing and children play, feeling free in my heart. Pratyahara, meshing all the physical into the absolute state of sensing only One.
Namaste,
Melanie Dawn
I left home August 5th this year on my much underused motorcycle. I live in Airdrie, Alberta, and set out to ride to Vancouver Island on my own. I was stressed from a year of trying “to do it all” - keep up self practice, train RYT500, train with others for constant learning/improvement/growth, keep my business afloat and flourishing/meet all students’ needs, remember all my family member’s schedules and attend appointments, on and on it goes. External senses on overload, taking over, and burn out setting in.
I rode initially for 3 days and throughout the time with myself, I did, indeed, begin to withdraw. I let go of the external and allowed the wind to keep thoughts flowing, releasing their hold on me. The external stimulus I knew was completely removed. I was riding each kilometer focused inward. I was very aware at some point that yes I saw the external, the beautiful sights. I inhaled the fresh air of fields, flowers, lakes and trees. I felt the rain, the sun, the wind on my skin. I met people and created relationships. The difference I realized is that these senses and workings all came from within first. It was my withdrawal into the unknown of each part of each kilometer that allowed my inner workings to become vivid and take in the vitality! It was the letting go of what was known that took me into Pratyahara with ease, no mind racing, no trying. It was the present moment, and only that moment, each turn of the tires, that kept me living in this space. Pratyahara was not an hour meditation; it was a 3 week exploration. The flow in which everything moved and occurred during this time was nothing short of spiritual presence, divinity on Earth.
Pratyahara can be attained in many ways; can come to us in many forms. Move more into who you are and let it come to you naturally. There are Yoga techniques and there are our own internal workings that simply let it sweep in. When we are in our truth of self, our own place of personal freedom, there we discover the essence of Pratyahara.
I made it to the ocean. My external and internal senses weaving in and through each other. The walking into warm salt water, tasting it, immersing my body in it; floating along to feel the warmth of the sun, hearing the birds sing and children play, feeling free in my heart. Pratyahara, meshing all the physical into the absolute state of sensing only One.
Namaste,
Melanie Dawn
