How Focusing Your Gaze Can Change Your Life
In the practice of yoga, focusing one’s gaze is called Dristhi. This practice is thought to increase focus, enhance vision, and to set intention.
I love being both a yogi and doctor because I get to see how powerful that practice is.
Have you ever thought of how much brain power it takes to focus your gaze, or to just focus in general? Just like a little kid in a candy store, your brain wants to take in a million things at once, jumping from sight to sight in search of something exciting. Significant effort is needed to pull your focus to a centered point. Even more energy is needed to hold it there.
Let’s look at some key areas of the brain:
The Vestibular System - The vestibular system is a network within the brain that helps to keep the eyes focused on a target even while we are moving around in space. Information from vision and the vestibular system stimulate the eyes to go to a very specific target.
The Cerebellum - Guides this entire process! The cerebellum looks like a little mini-brain below the cerebral cortex. It plays a major role in coordinating and smoothing out movement (AND thought!)
The Frontal Lobes - The frontal lobes are located in the front of the cerebral cortex and are critical for focus! This part of the brain helps to limit unnecessary outputs (aka distraction)s via dopamine. Yep - that’s why stimulants help so much with focus - they help the frontal lobe drown out the background noise that otherwise pulls your attention all over the place.
Give it a try. Look away for a moment, focus your gaze, and then come back.
Did you feel more calm? Did you feel the mind begin to settle?
It is true: focusing your gaze will help you focus in life. Focusing is a brain exercise. Just like anything you are just trying out, practice makes perfect!
Tips for Increasing Focus
Core exercises - help to increase physical stability and networks within the cerebellum to enhance focus
Movement - anything - exercise is medicine for the frontal lobe of the brain. It releases a myriad of beneficial neurochemicals to help you feel good, including dopamine!
Meditation - you can meditate on anything! Focus on your breathing, feel your heartbeat in your hand, recite a mantra
All information was based on information presented by Dr. Datis Kharrazian and Dr. Brandon Brock in the post-graduate course Functional Neurology Seminars. For more information or support, connect with a Functional Neurologist in your area