Breathe, posture and gaze. Tristhana refers to three places of attention or action: the posture, the breath and the gaze. Practiced in harmony, following the correct method, the body and mind are tuned up and we can find balance and steadiness within.

Natalia Correa practicing at Ashtanga Yoga Vancouver. 2016 Photo: Kris Yen

These three actions are practiced in conjunction with each other.

Vinyasa refers to breath linked with the movement. Every posture also referred as asana, has a defined breath count and a correct gazing point, also referred as drsti.

The names of the 8 drstis in the Ashtanga Yoga asana practice: *

Urdhva drsti - look up

Brumadhya drsti - look towards the third eye

Nasagra drsti - look in towards the tip of the nose.

Parsva - look sideways, right or left

Nabhi drsti - look towards your navel

Hastagra drsti - look towards the middle finger

Angusta desti - look towards the thumb

Padagra drsti - look towards your feet

It should say it is a gentle gaze towards the described direction. Moving just the eyes in that direction, not the whole head.

If you are a beginner, start by focusing on memorizing the sequence with all its movements. Then you incorporate the proper breath. Finally you will put your attention on the correct gaze for each posture. This can take time. You take all the time needed allowing your body and nervous system to slowly adapt.

Eventually you will find harmony between your breath, posture and gaze.

If you do not know where to look at while practicing, just find a steady place for your eyes to rest so that they don’t wander around. Steady gaze, is steady mind.

I also find it helpful in the beginning to start by looking softly towards the tip of the nose in every transition and every posture. Use this dristi until you are at the stage of memorizing the proper gazing point.

* Dristi names and meanings extracted from the book: Ashtanga Yoga Anusthana, written by R. Sharath Jois. First Edition, March 2013