Ashtanga Drishtis by Pose

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, we specify drishti for 83 poses in Ashtanga Yoga, both in practice order, and in alphabetical order.

Objective

Be prepared to specify, practice and teach the drishti for each of the 83 poses in Ashtanga Yoga.

Description

Name the drishti for the first 83 poses in Ashtanga Yoga. For example, the drishti for Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) is over the shoulder. For Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose), it is the nose. For Kurmasana (Tortoise Pose), it’s the third eye.

Ashtanga Practice Order

1. Padangusthasana: Nose
2. Padahastasana: Nose
3. Utthita Trikonasana: Hand
4. Parivritta Trikonasana: Hand
5. Utthita Parsvakonasana: Hand
6. Parivritta Parsvakonasana: Hand (or upward in Prayer Twist)
7. Prasarita Padottanasana: Nose
8. Parsvottanasana; Nose
9. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana A, C & D: Toes (or straight ahead in partial lift variations)
10. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana B (Leg to side): Side
11. Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana: Nose (or straight ahead if not folding)
12. Utkatasana: Thumbs (or straight ahead if arms not raised above head)
13. Virabhadrasana I: Thumbs
14. Virabhadrasana II: Hand
15. Dandasana: Nose
16. Paschimottanasana: Toes
17. Purvottanasana: Nose
18. Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana: Toes
19. Trianga Mukhaikapada Paschimottanasana: Toes
20. Janu Sirsasana: Toes
21. Marichyasana A (Straight Leg Forward Fold): Toes
22. Marichyasana B (Half Lotus Forward Fold): Nose
23. Marichyasana C (Straight Leg Twist): Over Shoulder
24. Marichyasana D (Half Lotus Twist): Over Shoulder
25. Navasana: Nose
26. Bhujapidasana: Nose
27. Kurmasana: Third Eye
28. Supta Kurmasana: Third Eye
29. Garbha Pindasana: Nose
30. Baddha Konasana: Nose
31. Upavista Konasana: Third Eye
32. Supta Konasana: Nose
33. Supta Padangusthasana A: Toes
34. Supta Padangusthasana B (Open Leg to Side): Side
35. Supta Padngusthasana C (Leg Overhead): Toes
36. Ubhaya Padangusthasana: Nose
37. Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana: Toes
38. Setu Bandhasana: Nose
39. Pashasana: Side
40. Krounchasana: Toes
41. Salabasana: Nose
42. Bhekasana: Nose
43. Dhanurasana: Nose
44. Parsva Dhanurasana: Nose
45. Ustrasana: Nose
46. Laghuvajrasana: Third Eye
47. Kapotasana: Nose
48. Supta Vajrasana: Nose
49. Bakasana: Nose
50. Bharadvajasana: Over Shoulder
51. Ardha Matsyendrasana: Over Shoulder
52. Eka Pada Sirsasana A (Seated Foot to Head): Nose
53. Eka Pada Sirsasana B (With Forward Fold): Nose
54. Eka Pada Sirsasana C (With Arm Balance): Toes
55. Dwi Pada Sirsasana A: Nose
56. Dwi Pada Sirsasana B (With Arm Balance): Nose
57. Yoganidrasana: Third Eye
58. Tittibhasana A (Arm Balance): Nose
59. Tittibhasana B (Standing Forward Fold): Nose
60. Tittibhasana C (Forward Fold with One Leg Balance): Nose
61. Tittibhasana D (Standing Forward Fold with Arms around Both Ankles): Nose
62. Pincha Mayurasana: Nose
63. Karandavasana: Nose
64. Vrishchikasana: Nose
65. Mayurasana: Nose
66. Nakrasana: Nose
67. Vatayanasana: To Sky
68. Parighasana: To Sky
69. Gomukhasana: Nose
70. Supta Urdhva Pada Vajrasana: Nose
71. Sirsasana Sequence: Nose
72. Urdhva Dhanurasana: Nose
73. Paschimottanasana: Toes
74. Salamba Sarvangasana: Nose
75. Halasana: Nose
76. Karnapidasana: Nose
77. Urdhva Padmasana: Nose
78. Pindasana: Nose
79. Matsyasana: Nose
80. Uttana Padasana: Nose
81. Sirsasana: Nose
82. Baddha Padmasana: Third Eye
83. Padmasana: Nose
84. Tolasana: Nose