Pratyahara is the practice of self-control and attempts to withdraw the senses from their objects. In other words, Pratyahara is concerned with living a life of renunciation which is essential for achieving the subsequent higher states of Yoga.

• Pratyahara is essentially the process of mental control and withdrawal of the mind from sensory functions (an aspirant withdraws his mind from the currents generated by the Indriyas. 
   

• Pratyahara is a process of self-restraint where an individual tries to keep his senses away from the temptations of the materialistic world. In other words, he lives the life of Vairagya (abstaining oneself from all worldly matters) which is considered to be an essential pre-requisite for subsequent yogic practices which are mostly higher psychic manipulations. 
   

• As a matter of fact, Pratyahara is a bridge between the internal and external phases of yoga.