Where the word comes from
The word is translated as "gaze" or "vision". In yoga it means more than the direction of the eyes: it is the habit of keeping attention in one place. Some schools, such as ashtanga, have a set gaze for each pose: the tip of the nose, a palm, a thumb or the distance.
Those rules are there to keep the practice focused. An ordinary class is much simpler, and strict rules about where to look are rare.
How to say it
Say DRISH-tee with the stress on the first syllable. The opening "dr" runs together and the last vowel is short.
Many teachers never use the word at all and say "pick a spot" or "look ahead". That works just as well for practice.
In tree pose, do not lift your gaze too high: it is easier to look at eye level or slightly lower. The point can be a mark on the wall.
What it looks like in class
Drishti is most useful in tree pose and other balances. Pick a still point at eye level or slightly lower, such as a mark on the wall, and rest a soft gaze on it. The body sways less and your attention does not drift away.
The gaze should be soft, with no tension around the eyes. If you feel dizzy, lower your eyes to the floor or close them and return to an even breath. In stretches and twists drishti also suggests where to turn the head.
Drishti and attention
The idea is simple: when the gaze is calm, attention is calmer too. That is why teachers ask you to look at one point not only in balances but also in standing poses, bends and twists. In vinyasa the point changes with the pose, which helps you stay with it.
Try this in practice: find a point, take three even breaths in and out, and then begin the pose. If your gaze slips away, return to it without self-criticism. Some people find it helps them stay focused off the mat as well.
Common misunderstandings
- "You have to stare without blinking." The gaze is soft, and you can and should blink.
- "The spot must be special." Any still mark will do: a switch, a crack, a pattern on the wall.
- "You cannot balance without drishti." It helps, but you can balance without it if you breathe evenly and move without hurry.