Trataka (Steady Gazing)
Trāṭaka
A concentration technique of gazing steadily at a single point, such as a candle flame, with minimal blinking.
History
Listed in the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā as one of the six cleansing practices.
Philosophy
Fixing the gaze trains dhāraṇā (concentration), one of the eight limbs.
Physical character
Avoid with eye conditions or if you are sensitive to light stimulation, for example with epilepsy.
This page offers general information and is not medical advice. If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, consult a doctor or a qualified teacher before practising.
Related practices
- 018 Practice
Zazen
坐禅 Zazen
The seated meditation of Zen Buddhism. Not a yoga style, but introduced here for its close kinship as a meditative practice.
From Chinese Chan Buddhism to Japan · 13th century
- 020 Philosophy
The Eight Limbs (Ashtanga)
Aṣṭāṅga (Yoga Sūtra 2.29)
Eight limbs — yama (restraints), niyama (observances), āsana (posture), prāṇāyāma (breath regulation), pratyāhāra (withdrawal of the senses), dhāraṇā (concentration), dhyāna (meditation) and samādhi (absorption).
Yoga Sūtra, chapter 2, verse 29
- 026 Classical text
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā
The classic haṭha manual by Svātmārāma, covering āsana, breath practice, mudrā and meditation in four chapters.
India · 15th century