By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed
Shiva is known in Hinduism and the classical Yogic scriptures as one of
the primary Gods among a pantheon of thousands of Gods and Goddesses. He is
also known as the manifesting power of physical reality. His
female consort, Shakti, is the creative, divine, formless energetic
essence that permeates all of creation. Shiva, being her male consort, dances
with her in such a way that he can manifest her divine energy on the physical
plane. Shiva is also able to sustain his creation, and then destroy it in a
never-ending cycle. This divine dance is referred to in Hinduism as Shiva's
Tandava.
In terms of a Yoga practice, invoking the transformative power of
Shiva's energy can support you in clarifying your underlying beliefs, which are
constructing your day-to-day reality. One way to fully engage with this transformative
power is by holding a strong and steady drishti point during your practice of
the Yoga asanas. A drishti is an intense gazing point. One of the original
sources of information about the correct method of employing a drishti point
during asana practice comes Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which elucidate in detail
the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga practice.
Patanjali refers to the practice of holding a steady drishti in both the
fifth and six limbs of his eight fold path. The fifth limb details the
importance of Pratayahara or sense withdrawal. The ability to allow our senses
to rest is especially important during our modern age because our senses are
constantly stimulated by all of the electronic media around us. By maintaining
a steady gazing point during your Yoga practice, your mind will begin to
settle, and you will be able to more easily witness your own thoughts and the
reality those thoughts are creating.
In the sixth limb of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the benefit of
concentrating single pointedly on a drishti point is explained. Ultimately, the
goal is to create and sustain a deep state of meditation, or dharana, both on
and off the Yoga mat. Holding a steady drishti point during your Yoga practice
will assist you in developing a more stable mind and a stronger ability to
concentrate and focus on your daily activities, without being pulled about from
one extraneous thought to another. As you hold a drishti point during your Yoga
asana practice, you may notice that your mind repetitively plays the
same negative thoughts over and over again. Do not view this as
a failure on your part! This is the first step to becoming aware of your own
mental tendencies, so that you have the opportunity to weed out the
thoughts that dim your light, joy and effectiveness in the world.
* Crescent Lunge Pose
The crescent moon is one of the most iconic symbols of Shiva's
transformative energy. Crescent Lunge Pose is aptly named because when we
practice the Yoga asana, we embody the form of the crescent moon. By holding a
drishti point during your practice of Crescent Lunge Pose, you will help to
calm and slow down the mental fluctuations of your mind. Traditionally,
Hastagrahe Drishti is employed during the practice of Crescent Lunge Pose. This
drishti focuses your gaze on your extended hand or fingertips while in a Yoga
posture.
To practice Crescent Lunge, you may wish to warm up first with a series
of Sun Salutations. When you are ready, come to an equal standing position at
the front of your Yoga mat. With your next inhale; begin to move through the
initial movements of the Sun Salutation. As you release Downward Facing Dog,
bring your right foot to the front of your Yoga mat with your
foot parallel to the sides of your mat. Place your left foot two to
three feet behind you at a comfortable distance from your right foot. For
optimal alignment, keep your heels in a straight line and the toes of your left
foot facing toward the side of your Yoga mat at a 45-degree angle.
With your next inhale, raise your arms over your head and press your
palms together in Prayer Position. As you exhale, bend your right knee to a 90
degree angle, or as far as you can today. Keep your knee and your ankle in a
straight line. Do not extend your right knee beyond the line of your ankle.
Gaze up at your outstretched hands as you hold Hastagrahe Drishti. Hold this
position for three to five complete breaths, and with your next exhale, release
the pose and continue through the rest of the poses of the Sun Salutation.
Repeat Crescent Lunge Pose on the left side.
© Copyright 2014 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
