“If you have perfect posture, then perfect drishti; otherwise, just look at your nose.”

This was how Sharath began one conference, while I was in Mysore. Apparently all our straining and contorting to look at our toes in a forward fold had finally gotten to him.

He said, “If your posture isn’t perfect, you’re not going to be able to see your toes in a forward fold and still maintain free breathe.”

Tristhana

There are three important places of action in our asana practice: Breathing, Posture, and Gazing Place.

In each asana, there is a prescribed point to rest the eyes. Because it’s a technique – a way of focusing the mind. The gazing place usually makes senses when we look at the shape itself – but not necessarily OUR shape. In which case, it may NOT make sense. And in fact, it may cause strain. As in the case of a seated forward fold.

You see, sometimes we confuse technique for correctness – thereby choose conformity over effectiveness.

Drishti (or the gazing place), is a special kind of focus. It’s steady, unwavering, and yet soft and subtle. The eyes are less pointed like lasers and more like resting up the designated place.

Without this focus, however, the eyes wander and the mind follows. On the other hand, a laser-like gaze probably means you’re working too hard and straining (as Sharath noted above).

But the eye gaze isn’t just about focus. It also allows us to use the head as part of the physical body – something we rarely consider unless it becomes part of our foundation, like in headstand.

In particular, it’s the nose that often points the way for postures.

Using the Nose for Alignment

Energetically and in keeping with the central axis, the nose points the way quite naturally. It’s also the entrance and exit of our breath and thus, letting it sniff out our alignment makes for some pretty free breathing sense.

Besides, nearly all our gazing places are ultimately in the direction our nose should already be pointed.

So when we let the nose lead and the gaze follow in the direction it points, all three places of actions will already be aligned to the best of our ability.

Images above from The Ashtanga Dispatch Magazine, Second Series Edition

Thus, allowing the nose to lead and the eyes to follow, often creates a much more comfortable spot to rest the eyes.

Want to read more about alignment? How about this!