Pratyahara
(प्रत्याहार)Literal Meaning
Withdrawal of the senses
Etymology & Sanskrit Root
'Prati' (away) plus 'ahara' (feeding, food for the senses); the fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga, in which the senses are drawn inward, away from external objects.
Spiritual Insight & Context
Pratyahara is the hinge between yoga's outer limbs and its inner ones — like a tortoise drawing its limbs into its shell, it turns attention away from the senses so meditation can begin.