There are many translations for the word drshti. Attitude, vision, eyesight, look, glimpse, point of view, intelligence, wisdom, to only mention a few! Its implementation in the practice of asanas is there primarily to prevent excessive fluctuations and improve our concentration. As one learns to improve the focus of the eyes it may also lead to greater stability of the mind and absorption in the self.  In the practice of Asthanga yoga, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and R. Sharath there are nine places of gazing, drshtis. I will comment more on them later, but first a little on why improving our drshtis may be beneficial while practicing yoga.

The information we receive from our sense organs has direct impressions on our mind and colors our perception of the world around us. The eyes are our direct means of perception and our main verification of knowledge. Once we see, touch and experience something we come to know what it is. Direct perception is always more reliable than secondary sources hence to directly observe something is our primary means of knowledge. As we shall see later, the vibrant energy of muscles and nerve patterns associated with the eyes may affect our conscious activity and state of mind. A refinement of the muscles and nerve-patterns associated with the eyes is therefore truly helpful in improving our yoga.

According to western medicine, the optic nerve is the second of twelve twin cranial nerves. What is noteworthy however is that the optic nerve is also associated with the central nervous system and thus directly linked to the brain and spine. The practice of hatha yoga is ultimately to center the flow of energy in the spine and minimize the fluctuations of the mind. Thus learning to control the movements of the eyes may have many direct benefits on the brain and spinal column.

If you make an experiment of moving the eyes as far up, down or sideways as you possible can, you will feel the subtle impact it has on the brain. Our eyes also reflect what state of mind we are in. If somebody is scattered, dull, dopy or lethargic, his or her eyes reflect a dimmer light in comparison with somebody who is concentrated, sharp, focused and alert. The connection between the brain and the eyes are thus and important factor that should be investigated while practicing yoga.

The principle purpose of a proper drsti is to help lift the constrained, scattered and obstructed energy of the body into a greater clarity of focus. This may be implemented as we lift our attention away from the peripheral body and into an increased awareness of the sensations in our eyes and brain. This sharpened focus will improve our concentration. The increased attention and energy to the front part of our forehead may provide a sense of elevation in the back of the neck and spine. If one learns to even lift the back of the palate while practicing, it is quite common to experience a greater alertness, clearer focus and more distinct receptivity of the senses. How we learn to utilize the movements of the eyes may also have a radical effect on how we learn to alleviate muscular tension in the throat, neck and spine.

The practice of vinyasa works directly on the spinal column, inner organs and brain. When this is implemented with proper drsti the effect becomes stronger and the practitioner may utilize the physical practice of yoga to even refine the subtle patterns of the mind. From an esoteric point of view, a proper activated drshti will also help to awaken the receptivity in the pelvic floor, open the gateway of the sushumna nadi and prepare the mind for higher states of concentration and meditation.

According to the principle texts on yoga there are 14 Nadis (currents of energy) that govern the major functions of the organs, limbs and certain synapses in the brain. These principle Nadis branch out into smaller pathways of energy, which again twig off into smaller ones. The total network of Nadis is said to consist of 72,000. Supposedly all principle Nadis originate at the base of the spine (Kanda-sthana) and ends in various part of the body such as eyes, nose, ears, head genitals, anus etc. Now with reference to the eyes the Gandhari Nadi originates from the left side of the center point of the pelvic floor and extends up to the left eye. The Pusa Nadi originates from the right side of the pelvic floor and extends up to the right eye. The most important pathway of energy in the body is the Sushumna Nadi and the practice of hatha yoga is geared towards refining the body and centering the flow of prana in this channel. Yet a refinement of all of the other Nadis are equally important for better distribution of energy (prana) throughout the body. The movement of the eyes has a direct effect on the spine, nervous system and the brain; hence learning to utilize and refine their movement in conjunction with the practice of asanas, pranayama and meditation may have an elevating effect on the whole body.

 

The nine drshtis referred to by Pattabhi Jois and R. Sharath:

1. At the tip of the nose (Nasågre).
2. In between the eyebrows (Bhrümadhye).
3. In the centre of the navel. (Nåbhicakre).
4. To the right side (Dakßiña PårΩva drr߆i).
5. To the left side (Våma PårΩva drr߆i).
6. At the tip (fingers) of the hand (Hastågre).
7. At the tip (toes) of the foot (Pådågre).
8. At the center of the thumb (A√gu߆amadhye).
9. Upwards (¨rdhva).

An important point to keep in mind while practicing is that the drishti should never be strained, pushed or forced, like anything else with our practice. A soft focused gaze should be implemented and that will give greater awareness to the area of the eyes. As the receptivity of the eyes improves it is possible to feel a slight contraction of the eyes as one inhales and a slight expansion as one exhales. This improved sensitivity together with directing the eyes to the appropriate places of gazing while staying in the postures may help to improve concentration and refine the perception and sensitivity in the area of the eyebrows and forehead. If you keep in mind that two of the principal Nadis are situated in each respective eye. Like the rest of our body, our nerve patterns may become dull when not properly utilized. So in the practice of yoga it is possible to improve the life-force (prana) within the currents (Nadis) of the body through greater awareness of their inert capability. A greater awareness to the movement of the eyes together with an improved sensitivity of the effect they have on the brain and spinal column is thus a helpful tool in our daily practice of yoga. Here I conclude with some brief notes on the nine places to focus your eyes while practicing.

1. At the tip of the nose is the most common place to look for the practice of asana, pranayama and meditation. In the practice of Pranayama when this drshti is implemented with the correct use of the bandhas it is very helpful in improving the duration of kumbhakas and centering the mind. 
2. In between the eyebrows, is employed by some schools for the practice of meditation. Guruji (Pattabhi Jois) never recommended it since he claimed it would awaken too much of rajasic energy. In Upavi߆akonåsana, Yoga Nîdråsana and KaΩyapåsana it is standard and some prefer to do it while in the upward dog instead of the common nåsågre drshti (tip of the nose).
3. The center of the navel is the classical gazing point for the down ward dog. Unless your stomach is too big. Here some people also prefer the tip of the nose.
4. If you can expand the vision of the right eye while twisting to the right you will feel an elevated energy in the spine.
5. Likewise, opening the left eye while twisting to the left will stretch and improve the current in the Nadi that runs to the left eye even further.
6. Gazing on the tip of the hand is normally done in the standing postures and it will help extend the energy of the whole arm.
7. This is the drshti for many of the forward bends in order to lengthen the upper part of the neck. However this can be quite challenging for most people in the beginning so to prevent tension in the neck, bending the head forward and gazing on the tip of the nose is recommended in the beginning.
8. Gazing on the thumbs is employed in the beginning and end of the sun salutations, Utka†åsana and Vîrabhadråsana A. It helps lengthen the upper part of the spine.
9. The upward gaze is employed in postures like Ubhaya Pådå√gu߆åsana, Våtåyanåsana, DürvåΩåsana and Vira•cyåsana A. It helps to open the upper part of the chest and elongate the spine. 

Finally we may include antar d®ß†i, the internal gaze is best practiced while in shavasana with eyes closed. Interestingly enough Guruji used to say that this is the most difficult asana to practice. Lying down is of course easy, but to keep internally focused and sharp to the many patterns of the mind, while remaining totally relaxed is the ultimate challenge of the practice of yoga.

Happy gazing to you all,