Unlocking Focus and Balance with Drishti
"Drishti, DRISHTI Drishti!
Say it with me: Drish-tee. This little bugger is a powerful yogic tool. It is what makes the masters of yoga the masters of yoga. It is the final testing ground in spiritual development,
and it is where you LOOK.
“Where you are looking to is where you are going to,” quoted from my teacher at AYM, Mahesh G., so please read it with an Indian accent.
One of the most fascinating things about yoga is its ability to weave a metaphor into every teaching and practice. Learning to be aware of where you are looking, why you are looking there, and finding peace in whatever you find is a very useful tool in life. To be aware of your surroundings and yet not let another practice or “life” affect where you are going in the pose or in “life.”
Our vision, just like in Plato’s cave, is an illusion that what else is there is only what we perceive to be there. So, when we settle the eyes without reaching deeper into the corners, we are also limiting our bodies from stretching deeper into the corners of themselves.
Drishti is a core component of practicing yoga; you must have these three things to be “doing” yoga and not just stretching or looking pretty:
Body control, in a position that is comfortable and steady
Breath control, with equal parts breathing
Focused mind, Drishti on one point, stable and steady
It is very common that one of these things is missing as we are learning the complex postures, which require a great deal of physical and mental strength. But after some time, we learn to master the body, and then we must begin mastering the mind. To be peaceful and in a meditative state.
The 9 different Drishtis are as follows:
1️⃣ Bhrumadhya Drishti: Located between the eyebrows, it aids in meditation and Kundalini energy awakening.
2️⃣ Nasagram Drishti: Positioned at the tip of the nose, ideal for concentration in poses like Chaturanga Dandasana.
3️⃣ Nabhi Chakra Drishti: Direct your focus to the navel, promoting proper alignment in poses like Adho Mukha Svanasana.
4️⃣ Hastagram Drishti: Gaze at the hands and fingertips for stability in arm balances and standing poses.
5️⃣ Angushthamadhyam Drishti: Focus on the thumbs in Warrior Poses, infusing an uplifting quality into the posture.
6️⃣ Padayoragram Drishti: Toes become the focal point in forward bends, enhancing balance and stability.
7️⃣ Parshva Drishti (Right): Gaze to the right for lengthening in twists like Ardha Matsyendrasana.
8️⃣ Parshva Drishti (Left): Alternate and gaze left to ensure a balanced stretch in twisting poses.
9️⃣ Urdhva Drishti: Lift your gaze upwards in poses like Virabhadrasana 1, promoting proper alignment and steady balance.
In summary, Drishti transcends being a mere gaze; it becomes a tool unlocking profound concentration, fostering a powerful connection between your mind and body."
