by Tina Russo Lancey, CYT, R-AYF, R-CYAMT

The first time a yoga teacher advised me to search out my Drishti, I used to be confused to say the least. No one had ready me for the Sanskrit phrases I heard. Using logic, I figured something that resulted in “asana” was the pose we would be shifting into. This was a easy deduction. Still a Drishti? I had no concept the place or what to search for within the room. It would take a number of extra classes earlier than I understood what we have been doing, the place to search out my Drishti and the way essential it might be in my apply.

So let’s begin with the phrase itself. In its easiest type, Drishti means sight. The concept behind “finding your Drishti” is to focus your gaze. In yoga, we attempt to use a delicate gaze to assist us focus. So do you simply look in every single place and focus earlier than softening the eyes? Well, you’ll be able to, there are 9 sorts of Drishtis in Ashtanga yoga and eight acknowledged in Hatha yoga.

• Angushthamadhye Drishti tails to the center of the thumb. It is utilized in solar salutations, chair pose and warrior.

• Bhrumadhye Drishti stares on the third eye (between the brow). It is used on an inhale as you come out of the standing ahead bend and is used throughout Downward Facing Dog and Upward Facing Dog.

• Nasagre Drishti stares on the tip of the nostril. It is utilized in Mountain Pose, Four-Limbed Staff Pose, Warrior Pose, and Standing Forward Bend. Wheel Pose and Handstand are additionally poses the place we use this Drishti.

• Hastagrahe Drishti stares on the palm of the hand or the guidelines of the fingers. It is utilized in Extended Triangle Pose.

• Parshva Drishti glances to the facet (left or proper). It is utilized in Seated Twist Pose and Standing Hand to Toe Pose.

• Urdhva Drishti tail upwards. It is utilized in Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend, Warrior II Pose, and Boat Pose.

• Nabhicakre Drishti stares on the navel. It is usually used with a downward dealing with canine.

• Padayoragre Drishti stares on the toes and is utilized in Seated Forward Bend (and all twisting variations.

When we give attention to our gaze, we will quiet the thoughts and never lose focus when issues transfer and alter within the room round us. This improved focus can join us with physique and thoughts extra deeply in our apply. While every Drishti mentioned right here has an related focus utilized in sure poses, you too can use different objects. Pay consideration to your eyes when training any of those Drishtis, and know that closing the eyes can also be a technique to join and focus.

For a greater understanding of the way to use a Drishti, here’s a e-book we advocate. It’s one in every of my favourite Ashtanga Yoga books and it is by David Swenson: Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual Hardcover – Illustrated, August 20, 2007*

*Disclosure: Some hyperlinks on this article are affiliate hyperlinks. This signifies that, for free of charge to you, I earn an affiliate fee if you click on the hyperlink and full a purchase order.