pratyahara

Pratyahara. One of the eight limbs of the ashtanga yoga practice as outlined in the Yoga Sutra. Richard Freeman offers this literal translation of “Do not eat, do not consume” in The Mirror of Yoga, and it’s the perfect translation for #selfcaresunday in the midst of the madness of the current time. 🐢How to practice? Think of a turtle drawing into its shell. 🙈🙉Shut off the TV. Stop scrolling. Spend some time not consuming outside information and sit in the quiet. Close your eyes if that feels safe. 🐢This quiet may allow a closer look at your own internal world: the way your mind works, the thoughts you spend time on, how your mind/body system responds to those thoughts. And: the thoughts or patterns you might be subconsciously blocking with outside distraction.
How does your system respond to quiet vs. the constant barrage of bad news? 🐢If you’re very revved up- anxious, fidgety, emotionally overwhelmed- movement can help calm the system enough to be able to sit quietly. This could be a walk, a run, yoga- anything to burn off a little steam before turning inward. 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🧘🏽‍♂️ 🏊🏽‍♂️
🐢Sometimes the absence of all the noise feels like sweet relief. Sometimes it feels challenging or painful. Deep abdominal breathing can help navigate the rough spots.

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