Drishti: It's Where You Look

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Your drishti, quite simply put, is your gaze, or where you look.

When you focus your eyes on a fixed, non-moving, single point, your attention naturally follows, making it easier to concentrate (during meditation) or balance (during yoga). Your drishti will help you block out distraction, so you can draw your awareness inward.

When using your drishti, don't squint or strain your eyes - the muscles on your face should be relaxed and the gaze should be soft.

In yoga, while your drishti might help you stay up in Crow pose, it can also be used to deepen your stretch, as in twisting poses like Bound Squat - your drishti can help motivate you to move further into a pose. It can also help you to hold poses for a longer amount of time.

Yoga poses have specific drishti points that are used. In Ashtanga Yoga there are 8. Want to hear more about them? Then read more

Nasagrai Drishti: gaze at the tip of the nose, as used in upward facing dog and standing forward fold poses.
Angusta Ma Dyai Drishti: gaze at the thumbs, as used in warrior I.
Nabi Chakra Drishti: gaze at the navel, as used in downward facing dog.
Pahayoragrai Drishti: gaze at the toes, as used in hand to toe pose and most seated forward bends.
Hastagrai Drishti: gaze at the hands, as used in triangle and warrior II.
Parsva Drishti: gaze to the side, as used in seated spinal twists.
Urdhva Drishti: gaze upwards, as used in warrior angle, balancing half moon, and prayer twist.
Naitrayohmadya or Broomadhya Drishti: gaze at the third eye or forehead, as used in fish, upward forward fold, and reverse warrior II.

You can use these drishti points for other kinds of yoga as well. If you're not sure where to look in certain poses, do what comes naturally, or ask your yoga instructor.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Dancer

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

When you're new to yoga, balancing poses offer an excellent challenge. On your first attempt you may end up falling over, but once you learn to focus your drishti (your gaze), you'll be able to balance on one leg for a long, long time – or at least five breaths. The Dancer pose stretches your shoulders and chest, increases flexibility in your hips and spine, and is also an amazing hamstring stretch for your standing leg.

Sanskrit Name: Natarajasana
English Translation: Lord of the Dance Pose
Also Called: Dancer Pose

Want to know how to get into this pose and stay balanced? Then read more

Begin in Mountain pose. Inhale as you shift weight into your left foot, and bend your right knee. Reach for your right foot with your right hand. If you can, bring your palm to the inside arch of your right foot. I like to slip my thumb between my big toe and my second toe, so that my right hand can hold onto the bone underneath my big toe.
Reach your left arm out in front of you and stare at one spot in front of you to help you stay balanced. When you're ready, begin to press your right foot away from you and lean your torso slightly forward. If it's easy, raise your right foot as high as you can. This will stretch out your right hip flexor. Try to keep your chest open and your left leg straight.
Stay here for five breaths and then slowly release your leg back to the ground. Stand in Mountain pose for one breath and then do Dancer on the other side.