seva journal » drishti http://www.sevayoga.net/journal thoughts and musings Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:13:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Drishti http://www.sevayoga.net/journal/2009/05/drishti/ http://www.sevayoga.net/journal/2009/05/drishti/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 01:57:24 +0000 seva http://www.sevayoga.net/journal/?p=49 drishtiIt has been said that the eyes are the window to the soul.  Perhaps this is why the practice of drishti, the Sanskrit word for gaze, is so important to the asana practice of Yoga.  When we are on our mat, yet our attention is off the mat, our practice suffers.  Watching another student, comparing ourselves to others, these distractions take us out of the union between mind and body that takes place in Yoga.  Resting the eye softly upon a fixed point during the practice — the tip of nose, third eye point, second toe, or knees — allows one to find balance in the union of breath and movement.  We go inside to see with inner eyes the alignment of body and find the still point of the mind.

Our attention is a valuable tool whether in asana practice, meditation, or interactions with others.  Once we are able to keep and practice life with our full attention, the possibilities are limitless.

-Michele

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