Drishti
Various definitions of the Sanskrit word, drishti are:
- A point of focus
- A point of gaze
- A direction of focus
- A direction of gaze
It’s important to note that drishtis are more of a general direction of focus. It’s completely fine to be looking towards the drishti point but not actually focus on anything. The focus is more inwardly or internally. Drishtis are meant to direct our attention to more subtle aspects of practice such as the breath and bandhas.
The drishti should be steady. If the drishti wanders, the mind wanders too and we will not be able to focus on the breath or bandhas. Steady drishti will enhance focus and concentration during and after asana practice.
There are nine drishtis in total, these are:
| Drishti | Direction |
|---|---|
| Angustha Ma Dyai: | Towards the thumb |
| Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya: | Between the eyebrows, towards the third eye |
| Nasagrai: | Towards the tip of the nose (about six inches in front of the nose) |
| Hastagrai: | Towards the extended hand |
| Nabi Chakra: | Towards the navel |
| Padhayoragrai: | Towards the toes |
| Parsva Drishti: | To the left side |
| Parsva Drishti: | To the right side |
| Urdhva or Antara Drishti: | Up towards the sky |
Each asana in Ashtanga yoga is associated with a drishti. See the table below for the drishti of each asana in the Primary series.
Fundamental Asanas
| Asana | Drishti |
|---|---|
| Surya Namaskara A | - |
| Surya Namaskara B | - |
| Padangusthasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Padahastasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Utthita Trikonasana A | Hastagrai / Hand |
| Utthita Trikonasana B / Parivritta Trikonasana | Hastagrai / Hand |
| Utthita Parsvakonasana | Hastagrai / Hand |
| Parivritta Parsvakonasana | Hastagrai / Hand |
| Prasarita Padottanasana A | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Prasarita Padottanasana B | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Prasarita Padottanasana C | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Prasarita Padottanasana D | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Parsvottanasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana A | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana B | Parsva Drishti / Side |
| Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana C | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana D | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Utkatasana | Angustha Ma Dyai / Thumbs |
| Virabhadrasana A | Angustha Ma Dyai / Thumbs |
| Virabhadrasana B | Hastagrai / Hand |
Primary Series
| Asana | Drishti |
|---|---|
| Dandasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Paschimatanasana A | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Paschimatanasana B | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Paschimatanasana C | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Purvatanasana | Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya / Third Eye |
| Ardha Baddha Paschimatanasana | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimatanasana | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Janu Sirsasana A | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Janu Sirsasana B | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Janu Sirsasana C | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Marichyasana A | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Marichyasana B | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Marichyasana C | Parsva Drishti / Side |
| Marichyasana D | Parsva Drishti / Side |
| Navasana | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Bhujapidasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Kurmasana | Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya / Third Eye |
| Suptakurmasana | Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya / Third Eye |
| Garbhapindasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Kukkutasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Baddhakonasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Upavisthakonasana | Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya / Third Eye |
| Suptakonasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Sutapadangusthasana A | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Sutapadangusthasana B | Parsva Drishti / Side |
| Sutapadangusthasana C | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Ubhayapadangusthasana | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Urdhva Mukha Paschimatanasana | Padhayoragai / Toes |
| Setu Bandhasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Urdhva Dhanurasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Paschimatanasana | Padhayoragai / Toes |
Finishing Asanas
| Asana | Drishti |
|---|---|
| Sarvangasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Halasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Karnapidasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Urdhva Padmasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Pindasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Matsyasana | Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya / Third Eye |
| Uttana Padasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Sirsasana A | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Sirsasana B | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Yoga Mudra | Ajna Chakra or Broomadhya / Third Eye |
| Padmasana | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Utplutih | Nasagrai / Nose |
| Savasana | Eyes closed |