The Drishtis (Gazing Points)
Drishtis
are gazing points. A focusing technique for bringing more concentration and
awareness to your yoga practice. The eyes are always open and inward gazing. You
don't look at anyone else. You only look at your gazing point and at yourself.
The proper use of drishtis can help eliminate competition from your practice.
The
eyes (including focus) are always soft and relaxed. Try looping the energy from
the viewed object back to the eyes until eventually there is no distinction
between the seer and the seen.
Your
vision is always directed inside. Promote self-examination in your practice
through the use of drishtis.
Like
ujjayi breathing, the drishtis are a means to help keep the mind steady and
quiet.
Every
posture has a specific gazing point. Sometimes up, sometimes at the tip of the
nose or palm of the hand or the big toe etc. Traditionally there are nine
different drishtis. In your practice the drishti is usually in the direction
that the head is going. The important thing is to keep the eyes focused in one
direction.
The
benefits of the drishtis include helping the mind become steady, exercising the
eye muscles and the optic nerve, and increasing blood flow.
The
practice of drishtis must be approached slowly or else you may become dizzy or
get a headache.
The
mouth, the tongue, the back of the throat and the ears must be relaxed totally
for the drishti to have its true effect. Too
great an intensity can cause tension, which, as we know, is contrary to yoga.
Drishtis
is best when one is viewing the world as sacred.
The Looking Places - NAVA DRISHTIS |
||
Drishti
|
Gazing
Point
|
Typical
Postures
|
Nasagrai
|
The
space just beyond the tip of the nose (this is the most used drishti).
|
Sitting
Postures
|
Ajno
Chakra
|
"The
third eye" - the space between the eyebrows.
|
Cobra/Upward
Dog
|
Nabi
Chakra
|
The
navel
|
Downward
Dog
|
Hasagrai
|
The
hand
|
Triangle
poses
|
Podhayoragrai
|
The
toes
|
Shoulder
Stand
|
Parsva
Drishti
|
Far
to the right, or far to the left
|
Twisting
Postures
|
Angusta
Ma Dyai
|
The
thumbs
|
Beginning
the Sun Salutation
|
Urdhva
Drishti or Antara Drishti
|
Up
to the sky
|
Warrior
I
|
Drishti Practice:
1. Pay
attention to how your eyes wander. Notice what distracts you.
2. Control
the urge to look at something moving in the distance.
3. Gaze
at the space beyond the tip of your nose for one minute.
4. Notice
what distracts your gaze: sounds, smells. Become aware of your senses trying to
distract your focus.
5. Try
focusing your gaze at specific points throughout the day. See what it takes to make you look away.