This fifth stage of yoga develops with constant practice of asanas and pranayama precepts prescribed by the master. The yogi learns to act instead of reacting to external situations and a detachment from these external stimuli occurs. The five sense organs that are attracted to the external stimuli of taste, sight, touch, hearing and smell release their hold on the objects of obsession and in a smooth transition turn inwards towards the source. With diligent and committed practice, the yogi reverses the movement of energy, and from bahirmukhi looking outwards for pleasure, becomes antarmukhi inward moving to find happiness and bliss within.

The realised master prescribes techniques to facilitate this turnabout in the disciples at the right time. It should be pointed out here that this in no way interferes with the functioning of the individual in the external world, which can carry on as usual. The change is purely internal and personal bringing great leaps in awareness in the practitioner. Outwardly the same, the yogi undergoes tremendous transformation within as the sense organs withdraw inwards.

Yogis have experienced this sensation as almost a physical reversal when the electric currents flowing in the psychic nerves slow and stop altogether and then gently begin the process of reversal. As the energy turns around the practitioner realises how old habits and bondage to the sense organs have fallen by the wayside. There is neither attraction nor revulsion to old likes and dislikes. The yogi experiences a dropping off of all excess baggage

The practices that induce the process of pratyahar include kundalini kriya yoga, jyoti mudra and khechari mudra. Once again for all these to flower to their true potency they have to be learnt from a realised master.