Drishti as a Therapeutic Tool
Why Drishti Matters
Our eyes are closely tied to the vestibular system (which governs balance) and to proprioception (our sense of body position). When sensory input from these systems doesn’t align — as in motion sickness or vertigo — the nervous system can become overwhelmed. Anchoring the gaze provides a stabilising visual cue that helps resolve this mismatch.
In motion sickness, visual input often conflicts with vestibular and proprioceptive signals. Soft, steady gazing (rather than rapid or unfocused eye movement) can help realign sensory input — especially when the gaze is anchored to a still point or the horizon.
In vertigo, retraining the eyes to stabilise during or after head movement is part of vestibular rehabilitation. Poses with gentle head tilts (like Thread the Needle) or controlled transitions (like Spinal Rocks) become more effective when paired with intentional Drishti — such as tracking the hand or softly fixing the gaze on a point.
In anxiety, the eyes often shift into hyper-vigilant scanning — a sympathetic nervous system response. A fixed Drishti — whether on the horizon line or the hands — interrupts this cycle, activating the parasympathetic ‘rest-and-digest’ system by offering the brain a predictable, non-threatening focal point.
Training the Eyes to Anchor the Nervous System
In yoga, Drishti is traditionally understood as a focused gaze — but its role can extend far beyond concentration. In therapeutic contexts like motion sickness, vertigo, and anxiety, Drishti becomes a powerful tool for recalibrating the nervous system.
Why It Works
Drishti isn’t just a mental focus technique — it works because the brain rewires itself through repetition (neuroplasticity). When the eyes learn to stay steady during movement, the vestibular system adapts, reducing dizziness and instability over time. This isn’t just focus — it’s a retraining of the brain’s sensory map for resilience. Over time, this builds confidence, balance, and whole-body integration.
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