I hope you had a wonderful October so far! I’m thrilled to be back to teaching private 1-2-1's starting tomorrow Friday 18th after taking a short break for a second cataract operation. It's incredible that we have access to such advanced treatments—and on the NHS, no less! With the new lens in my right eye, the world around me appears brighter and clearer, which is a real joy. I must admit, though, that I’m also noticing more cobwebs and dust than before!
I will be gradually returning to my yoga practice in another week, along with gym workouts and running. However, it will be another three weeks before I can safely do downward-facing dog and deep forward folds, and a bit longer before practising certain other inversions. In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying yoga nidra, breathwork practices, daily meditation, and catching up on podcasts. I’ve also found myself reading more than usual, including diving into the fascinating world of our eyes.
Our eyes are truly remarkable organs. Though they measure just over 2 cm in diameter, only one-sixth of the human eyeball is visible and they contain over 2 million intricate, moving parts. The muscles that control our eyes are the fastest in the body—hence the phrase "in the blink of an eye." In fact, the average person blinks around 15 to 20 thousand times per day and between 5.4 - 7.3 million times a year!
Our eyes can process an incredible 36,000 pieces of information every hour, and in a typical lifetime, they will see 24 million different images. The human iris, which controls the size of the pupil and the amount of light that enters the eye, is incredibly unique—while a fingerprint has 40 distinct characteristics, an iris has 256.
The Power of Drishti in Yoga Practice
In yoga, we can harness the power of our eyes through a practice called Drishti. This technique involves softly focusing our gaze on a specific point, turning our practice into a moving meditation. The word "drishti" is often translated from Sanskrit as "sight," "gaze," or "vision."
Using Drishti during yoga can be a powerful tool for deepening concentration, calming the mind, and bringing full awareness to each pose. For example, when balancing in poses like Tree or Dancer, fixing your gaze on a steady point (like a wall or the floor in front of you) can enhance your stability and focus. By focusing on a specific part of your body, such as your hands or feet, or on a point in the room or sky, Drishti helps you tune into the inner sensations of the body, creating a deeper connection between mind and movement.
Incorporating Drishti into your practice is a simple yet effective way to enhance your yoga experience, helping you practice with greater intention and mindfulness.
I look forward to seeing you in class soon and exploring these practices together!
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