Tuning In to a Better You

Anne Unger, RYT

Pratyahara, the fifth limb in yoga, is one of my all time favorite practices. It teaches us how to consciously withdraw our senses from the outside world and look inward. It’s a practice that helps me stay focused and connected to my true self. I have learned how to stop at any point throughout the day, even during the most stressful and chaotic times, and tune into what I’m feeling. It allows me to remain present in the moment and think through my actions rather than thoughtlessly reacting (or overreacting) in a way that I may later regret. I can rest easily in difficult moments so my inner voice can surface, until the answers I need become apparent.

I love that I can practice pratyahara anytime, anywhere. It’s such an important part of my life and practice that I bring it into all of my classes, giving students several opportunities to focus inward, to withdraw from the world around them, and notice what’s happening inside. It’s a beautiful moment for me, to witness so many people at once tune in and let go of all that surrounds them.

Not all worldly moments are treated equally, however. There will be setbacks. Even when I know I shouldn’t respond or react to something without thinking it through, I can find myself doing it anyway. It’s almost as if there’s a host of harsh and turbulent situations lurking around every corner, ready to trick us, ready to pull us into a vortex of bitter regret. But I know my alarm sound now; I’ve been paying attention. It’s loud and fierce and fills my head. It’s simple, but damning, and sounds like: “WHAT?!”

As soon as that alarm goes off, I know I need to step back from whatever is happening—whether it’s an abrupt email, an unpleasant phone call or a personal affront—and breathe, bringing my focus inward. Connecting first to my breath helps me withdraw from the over stimulated senses, then I can tune in to my better self, my thoughtful and reasonable self. It’s about tuning in, rather than tuning out and running from reality. It’s about choosing how we can best respond in challenging moments, rather than simply being reactionary.

Breathing deeply can help calm the nerves in difficult situations, and maybe even stop you from making rash decisions, or saying something you later wish you hadn’t, but the practice of pratyahara works deeper. It allows us to stop time, to take a moment to ourselves and bring control over the mind. It creates an opportunity to tune in to our true self and get grounded to make better choices.

At my next Tea Talk, we’ll discuss this idea of tuning in to our true self during uncomfortable situations and choosing how to respond. Join me for Tea Talk on Monday, February 18, 6-7pm. Stay for my 7:15pm class to experience a mindful vinyasa flow in candlelight that focuses on tuning in and getting grounded.

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Sutra 2.54. When the senses withdraw themselves from the objects and imitate, as it were, the nature of the mind-stuff, this is pratyahara.

Finding Happiness in the New Year

Anne Unger, RYT


Sutra 2.15 – To one of discrimination, everything is painful indeed, due to its consequences: the anxiety and fear over losing what is gained; the resulting impressions left in the mind to create renewed cravings; and the constant conflict among the three gunas, which control the mind.

The New Year is a time for new beginnings, an opportunity to dig deep inside ourselves and decide what it is we really want to accomplish this year, or in the years to come. A good time to set short- and long-term goals—changes we want to make or stepping stones we’d like to get in place that will ultimately lead us further down the spiritual path. It’s a time to shake off the messy past (once we’ve gleaned our numerous lessons, of course!) and get to work on the things that are really important to us, making this the best year yet. Isn’t this what we tell ourselves every year?

I find that with every New Year I start off strong, ready to tackle my many intentions, especially after a long and busy holiday season inevitably sidetracks me. The goals are intended to make me happy, to fulfill my dharma so I might feel sustained and satisfied in life. I write out my intentions—the big overarching ones that will hopefully carry me toward my life’s purpose, which then breaks down to quarterly, monthly, and finally weekly objectives. I make lists in my planner, using the upfront monthly snapshots to note the month’s goals in the right hand column, and check them off as they’re accomplished. It’s a good feeling because I’m certain I’m on track, well on my way to completing the things I need to do.  

And while it’s a fail-proof system that tracks and ensures I’m reaching my objectives, the weekly planner where I write my daily goals, starts to become more of a chore list. It fills up with unplanned events and outings, errands and duties that are necessary for daily living, but do not necessarily have anything to do with the goals I’ve set forth to help me fulfill my life’s purpose. And sometimes the daily to-do lists can become obstacles on my journey, making me feel edgy and unfocused, like I’m looking outside myself for fulfillment when I’ve become too busy to look within myself for inner peace and serenity. 

One thing yoga has taught me is that I cannot run from the results I’ve created, that wherever I go, whatever I create, it will follow me. It’s taught me how to stop and breathe and understand myself and the world a little better, so when I start to feel that edge, that lack of focus, I can regroup and reset. In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda, we are taught that anything coming from outside of ourselves cannot offer everlasting happiness, but only pain; however, “pleasure and pain are but the outcome of our approach.” We learn “it’s all right to have anything, as long as you don’t let these things bring you anxiety and fear.”

We all want to be happy. We all need a fresh start, and the timing couldn’t be better. Join me for a discussion at Focus Yoga on Monday, January 21, 6-7pm, on how our approach to achieving or obtaining anything can determine a pleasurable or painful experience.

Editor's Note: We have it on good authority that Anne's following class, Open Yoga, will be a mindful candlelight vinyasa flow focusing on finding the happiness within. What a wonderful way to bring it all together! Register for Tea Talk here...you do not need to register for the Open Yoga class.

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