Translated as sight, view, vision, gaze and more, Drishti is basically a focused gaze.
In every yoga pose, there’s a spot we can choose to look at (like a finger, wall or toe) and it can change to where our body is accessible or comfortable, but it’s not really about the physical object itself that we look at.
Instead, it’s about training your mind to observe without overthinking.
An internal concept for both external or internal application, very much like yoga itself can be the movement and shapes or a still seat or a lying rest.
Think of it as a way to tune out what’s not important, like straining the water frompasta. Retaining the pasta is the goal, the water is the waste but it never is a perfect filter and thats ok – in fact a little pasta water makes every sauce better.
Similarly in yoga you are not seeking perfect focus or detachment but drishti is a tool to help us along the way. Sometimes the odd distraction in class or mild life disruption actually helps us understand ourselves and our practice more than a curated artificially zen environment which has no similarities to real life.
By practicing this during yoga asana/shapes, you learn how to stay steady and unbothered even if the world around you, or within you, is chaotic.
On the mat it helps you ignore the noise, whether it’s people, sounds, or your own wandering thoughts but over time this skill can spill over into your everyday life and be profound.
A yoga tool to stay grounded and focused amidst what’s happening around you, keeping your attention inward and staying centered that may be a good fit.
Let’s conclude with a question to explore ; do we do Drishti or does it do us?
Breath work absolutely won’t suit everyone, asana/shapes won’t suit everyone but drishti can be a really strong access point for many.
Think of gazing at fire or staring into space, a focus that’s hard to snap out of – you are simultaneously present and aware of things around you but you are anchored rather than sucked into it all.
Drishti isn’t a million miles away from this feeling, so again, do we do Drishti or does it do us?
