Nabhi Chakra Drishti

What Does Nabhi Chakra Drishti Mean?

Nabhi chakra drishti is a Sanskrit term that refers to focusing one's gaze at the nabhi chakra, also known as the manipura chakra, or the energy center located in the region of the navel. In Sanskrit, nabhi means “navel” and drishti means “gaze,” “eye” or “seeing.” Chakra means “wheel” or “circle” and describes the intense points of energy located along the spine.

Drishtis are the points of focus used during asana practice and meditation to focus the mind. By focusing on a specific drishti, the yogi blocks out distractions and is more likely to be able to balance or hold a pose.

Yogapedia Explains Nabhi Chakra Drishti

Also called the magic circle, nabhi chakra drishti is most commonly used for adho mukha svanasana, or downward-facing dog pose. In addition to improving focus and concentration, the drishti can improve alignment in the pose. Other inversions that use nabhi chakra drishti include:

• Baddha viparita kurmasana (bound inverted tortoise pose)
• Karnapidasana (ear pressure pose)
• Niralamba sarvangasana (unsupported shoulder stand pose)

Examples of other drishtis include: nasagra (tip of the nose), hastagram (hand), urdhva (upward or toward the sky), ajna chakra (third eye or between the eyebrows) and padayoragram (toes).