Pratyahara is the fifth among the Eight steps of Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga. In it, the consciousness, or more specifically, the neural currents, are internalized, so that sensations from the Indriyas, or the five senses of taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell don't reach their respective centres in the brain, so that the Saadhaka, or disciple, is free to meditate without distractions. The electrical currents in the nerves of even the involuntary muscles are turned off by advanced practitioners through superior willpower and breath-control, or Pranayama. Apart from Pranayama, one device to aid Pratyahara is to concentrate on the point between the eyebrows, or the third-eye, the Agya or Ajna Chakra.

See also

• Dharana
• Dhyana
• Samadhi

Пратьяхара