{"id":1907,"date":"2014-03-18T12:08:19","date_gmt":"2014-03-18T06:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yoga.in\/blogs\/?p=1907"},"modified":"2014-03-18T12:08:19","modified_gmt":"2014-03-18T06:38:19","slug":"thoughts-on-drishti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yoga.in\/blogs\/2014\/03\/18\/thoughts-on-drishti\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on drishti"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Inna Costantini<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"inna\"<\/a>Inna has been practising yoga for over a decade and teaching since 2008. With a background in media, anthropology and a stint in PR, she experimented with a variety of yoga paths, before deciding to trade her desk for a yoga mat, and embark on an intensive yoga training course in India. Inna is fascinated by yoga in all its forms, its effects, and the intricate links between physical and mental well-being. As a teacher, she loves seeing the changes in people, being a witness, an observer and sometimes a guide, and inspiring students and friends to practice, evolve and grow stronger on so many levels. Inna is also a freelance writer and loves sharing her passion for yoga, travel and the environment both off the mat and across the globe.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"drishti\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In the practice of yoga, drishti<\/em> is a technique, broadly speaking, of focusing attention, using the eyes to gaze steadily at one point, thus increasing concentration, quietening thoughts and ultimately calming the mind.<\/p>\n

On an average day we spend so much time looking \u2013 there is a constant stimulus of the senses and nerve connections, which can be both a source of energy and fatigue. The nervous system can become tired and saturated, and this is especially true when we are bombarded with information, data, lights, people and screens \u2013 essentially anything that comes our way on a daily basis in modern society.<\/p>\n

Drishti<\/em> in the context of ashtanga yoga<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ashtanga system is based on a progressive sequence of postures (asana<\/em>), synchronised with the breath, bandhas<\/em> (energy locks) and drishti<\/em>. The union of these three places of attention is trishthana<\/em>: performed in conjunction with each other they form a powerful practice that increases energy, purifying the body, mind and nervous system.<\/p>\n

Asanas<\/em> are there to purify, strengthen and give flexibility to the body. The breath connects postures to each other through steady, even inhalations and exhalations: this creates heat and further purifies the nervous system. Drishti<\/em> is the point of gaze in the asana<\/em>.<\/p>\n

There are nine drishtis<\/em> (see below): the nose, the space between the eyebrows, the navel, the thumb, the hands, the feet, up, right and left. This practice calms the mind and generates a sense of focus and stability.<\/p>\n

\"drishti1\"<\/a>According to Sharath Jois of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (the grandson of its founder, late Shri K Pattabhi Jois), the drishtis<\/em> \u2013 or focal points \u2013 are there to develop concentration in one’s practice: \u201cGazing will help you in many ways \u2013 also in pranayama<\/em> (breath control) it will help you focus and in dhyana<\/em> (meditation) it is very important to focus the attention in one place.\u201d (Souce: Shala conference, 26\/01\/2014) In fact, Mark Darby, a certified teacher and student of late Shri K Pattabhi Jois, notes: \u201cIf drishti cannot be done in asana<\/em> it will also not be possible in pranayama<\/em> and meditation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usually, when teachers speak of drishti<\/em>, they refer to it as a technique to keep the gaze steady and the mind focused. The different gazing points are used as tools to keep one anchored in the present moment, along with the practice of bandhas<\/em> and ujjayi<\/em> breath. But by looking deeper, one may uncover other layers of meaning.<\/p>\n

Reasons to practice drishti<\/em>:<\/strong><\/p>\n