Mr. Brown is 18 months old. He's such a character and loves his ball. He's become a great little retriever and as soon as we get to the park or field he's waiting for his ball to be thrown.
Single minded, razor sharp focus, as soon as it's thrown he's off like a little rocket to bring it back.
It's a bit like how a ballet dancer 'spots' when doing a pirouette. Single minded, concentrated and completely focused.
I've been looking at Drishti and Trataka this week which are all about focus, concentration, cutting out visual stimulations and turning our attention inwards.
We know that yoga is about trying to stop the mind from spinning and instead to find a place of stillness and inner peace.
Through the pandemic lots of people started practicing at home, which still works for many, and to be honest self practice and study is to be encouraged. However, if you're anything like me when you're practicing at home in familiar surroundings it's all too easy to loose concentration. Our eyes and ears distract our minds and other narratives start up. Checking the dust under the sofa, chips on the skirting board, a neighbours dog walker arriving, the post man. The list goes on.
This is where the power of Ujjayi breathing and Drishti really help. The resonating sound of an Ujjayi breath helps your mind remain present and focused. It's audible but not over strained. Finding a Drishti whether it's your toes, thumb or the naval, helps to cut out visual stimulation and turn the attention in. It's not a hard straining stare either, just a purposeful easy gaze. Sthira and Sukha are the 2 qualities from Yoga Sutra 2.46, which mean steady and stable but comfortable which should be applied to both of these.
It's not easy though. It requires effort to practice both. But I promise if you do, it's a game changer.
So, Ujjayi and Drishti are just 2 of many which are part of the yogi journey on the 8 fold path to enlightenment. Ujjayi breathing is a pranayama technique and Drishti is a form of Pratyahara which means sense withdrawal. For more information about the 8 fold path here's a good summary from Yoga Journal.
https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/philosophy/8-limbs-of-yoga/eight-limbs-of-yoga/
When we're in class and work in a group there's a different energy. Whilst we're keeping an eye on the ball, we're also aware of others in our field. We pick up on this and feed off each other. Like a team but individually practicing. This is great too!
Trataka is a bit different. Some of you will have done this before. Where you gaze at something without blinking then rest and repeat. It's a really great tool to concentrate before attempting meditation. This is a further step of the 8 fold path called Dharana which is about concentration. See above link for more information.
My dogs are quite good at yoga. As well as their down and up dogs, Drishti in chasing balls (and squirrels) they practice Dharana everyday. At meal times they don't even blink. Ready for the meditative practice of scoffing!
Namaste.
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