In this gentle class, we will relax the body, find more support and comfort, so that we can experience the subtle awareness of inner consciousness. 

Pratyahara, also known as inner awareness, is 5th of the 8 limbs of yoga. 

And, just in case you thought we were getting too out-there for you in terms of yoga philosophy, I want to assure you that not only is this practice a critical yogi skill – it’s also studied and understood in the scientific community as well. 

Interoception is critical in emotional regulation. Which is a necessary human skill in any circumstance, but is particularly critical in an age and era where we, as humans, are being asked to change and adapt in a social capacity more than any other time in history. 

Here’s some text from an academic paper published through the NIH (National Institutes of Health): 

“Emotion regulation involves a coherent relationship with the self, specifically effective communication between body, mind, and feelings. 

Effective emotion regulation involves the ability to accurately detect and evaluate cues related to physiological reactions to stressful events, accompanied by appropriate regulation strategies that temper and influence the emotional response. 

There is compelling evidence demonstrating links between poor or disrupted awareness of sensory information, or interoceptive awareness, and difficulties with emotion regulation.”

Pratyahara is, in my opinion, the most profound yoga skill we can develop in this practice. 

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