Drishtis or Gazes

The Drishtis refer to nine points or directions in which you direct your eyes while practicing yoga postures. Every posture has a corresponding Drishtis.  The use of Drishtis helps to develop awareness. By focusing the gaze, Drishtis draw the mind in the proper direction for that particular asana that is being performed. This builds concentration and helps control the mind.

Wandering eyes distract the mind from the mind- body -spirit union that takes place during yoga practice. The single pointed focus of the eyes helps increase mindfulness and encourages the internal focusing of the attention, rather that as external wandering. By using a particular Drishtis, it is possible to gain an internal focus and calm, while still allowing the eyes to remain open.

The Drishtis also contain an anatomical aspect. For example, you gaze at the toes is most seated forward bends. This encourages you to lengthen the front of the body more than you would if you were looking at your navel, which would tend to cause a rounding of the back.

The gaze should remain soft and light, as if detached, or as if you were looking through the object of your gaze. The act of gazing is meant to help release tension, not create it. For this reason let your practice of gazing develop over time.

Nine Drishtis

1) The tip of the nose

2) The thumbs

3) The third eye

4) The navel

5) Upward toward the sky, as if gazing to infinity

6) The hands

7) The toes

8) Far around to the right

9) Far around to the left