Answer To Your Fitness Questions" />Holding A Pose In Yoga
August 23, 2007
When practicing yoga there is quite a trick to finding focus, or the “drishti” in Sanskrit. So for just a moment let’s look at the role of the gaze in your practice. If you are a new student there are tendencies to look while participating either at the teacher, the mirror to check alignment or possibly a little self admiration or self-criticism, the clock, which is a very bad sign, or even your big toenail which can become very interesting when executing or holding a particularly difficult pose.
But really where should we look during our practice?
The “drishti” serves two different purposes: first it focuses the mind and second it expresses action and energy of the pose. The gaze can help the student observe the physical actions of each pose and you can use it to teach mental concentration. It will also assist or challenge balance poses such as Hand to Big Toe or Tree.
One rule of thumb for the gaze point is simply to look the direction the head is going.
By merely understanding the purposes of the “drishti” will enable you to keep the heat up and become more aware of where you are in the pose versus a wandering mind!
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Hi Deni!
I miss being able to attend your classes! I just have a quick question that you may or may not be able to answer. I’ve had a knee injury all summer and have finally decided to take a serious break from running and aerobics so it can heal properly. I’ve taken it easy for 4 weeks now. I decided to try your Yoga class this morning on BYU TV. When I was finished my knee felt swollen inside, tired and achy (I omitted poses that put weight/strain on my knee). Is this a normal feeling while recovering or I am damaging the healing that has occurred? Thanks for your time! I’ve been so frustrated and thought that you might be able to shed some light! Thanks again!
Sindy, I miss you too!! Have you been to a doctor yet? Was this your first yoga class, if so, it was probably too much at first. However, the only time you don’t practice yoga is with swelling. You can with healing, soreness, etc.
The biggest key is being totally sensitive to your body, and honoring what is there. I say, send love to that area and never push, force or strain.
Let me know how you are doing!
Love,
Deni