Drishti , Where are you looking?

Drishti can be understood as a focal point, a point to focus the eyes upon.  Drishti is one of the main tools, along with bandhas and breath, which we use in yoga practice to orient us and find balance.

Like everything in yoga, drishti is another way to cultivate, develop and explore awareness.

The practice of drishti is actually two part; first we find an external (preferably stationary) point to focus the gaze upon. We use this external focus to still the mind and then simultaneously, progressively, we move the awareness inside and find a more subtle internal gaze or focus. The internal concentration attends to all of the little adjustments needed to compensate for the constant internal movements such as those associated with breath and shape change.  The interaction of internal and external focus is a dynamic interplay, one informing, affecting, the other ultimately resolving in a state of equilibrium or balance.

Most asanas/postures have a recommended drishti point, whether it be over the tip of your nose, to the navel, or up to the thumbs.   The drishti is something like a prescription which works with physical alignment, breath and more subtle energetic awarenesses to bring one into the fullest experience of the asana. To that end I can sometimes be a stickler about drishti.

The other day as I was teaching sun salutations, warrior 1 specifically. I called out gaze at the thumbs. I looked around and saw that perhaps a quarter of the class was looking outat, well I don't know what. So I repeated the cue and many took it in and adjusted their gaze. But still a couple did not. So again I said 'drishti at the thumbs' and yet one man remained unmoved. So I went over to him and asked him quietly, gently, "Where are you looking?" And he woke up, smiled and shifted his eyes up to his hands.

It made me think about drishti in a more metaphorical way.  In this asana flow called life, where am I looking? Where are we all looking? Are we looking where we think we are looking?  What are the implications if we are, or if we are not in fact looking where we think we are looking?

"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves."~Albert Einstein

Clearly it is crucial to be present in the moments of our lives. When we are not we miss out. Ultimately we are here to enjoy that kiss! To expand into bliss, into love, into our highest selves. fully empowered! We are not here to be going through the motions, distracted/multitasking, or in a holding pattern. All of the latter options are limited and leave us feeling empty, disconnected and dissatisfied.

Our yoga practice teaches us awareness in every moment, from breath to drishti, to sweet sensation, to riding the edge. Through practice we learn to be present to all kinds of emotions, energies, and awakenings.  

Paying attention, cultivating awareness leads us to clarity, authenticity and truth.  And it is from this place of truth that the real living begins and the life that you imagined becomes possible.

"If you want to make your dreams come true,
the first thing you have to do is wake up."
~J.M. Power

From Tadasana. Step your right foot forward a big step and slight to the right, foot facing directly forward. Spin the back heel down and turn toes slightly to the left. Bend front knee at a right angle so the knee is directly above the ankle. Back leg is straight. Work to square hips, lift chest, and scoop tail bone down drawing the low belly in and back. Lift arms straight up, shoulders down, elbows straight, palms touching. If the shoulders come up when the palms touch bring the hands more forward. Gaze is at the thumbs.

Physical benefits: This is a challenging posture in many ways as it vigorously works the legs, low belly, shoulders, arms and core.

Spiritual Aspects: Vira means power in its essence. Vira 1 is a fierce powerful pose but openhearted and full of passion. So not only is it about power, but it also revels exaltation. The warrior stands hips squared, heart lifted and gaze up prepared to offer everything she has. 

Meditation and Writing  with Sonia Aurora

Playing with Asana
with Al Bingham
Tuesday July 24th 3:15-6:00 pm

$45 in advance, $50 at the door

click to register

Centuries later when the Gheranda Samhita (Gheranda's Collection) was written, the notion of asana had been broadened. Gheranda observed that "there are as many asana as there are living beings in the world." 

Our notions of asana have continued to evolve since that text was written in the late 17th Century.  Indeed, many of the asana that we associate with Yoga have been collected in the last hundred years. 

So now, it's our turn to refine our understanding of asana - of how to be in our bodies in a way that facilitates the experience of Yoga.

Come along as we deconstruct and
re-imagine some of the classic postures to maximize their therapeutic, preventative and developmental benefits and to facilitate your experience of all that Yoga is.

VERY EXCITING NEWS!