The purpose of specific gazes (called Drishti) in yoga is to focus the mind and bring the attention inward.

Usually we focus up and in towards the brow, on a line between the eyebrows, an inch above the bridge of the nose. This is called the Third Eye or Ajna Chakra, Ajna means command, and when our eyes are fixed our mind can be fixed. We also stimulate the pituitary gland when we focus at the Third Eye. This helps to bring all of the glands into balance. Whereas our two eyes give us outer sight, the Third Eye gives us insight. When we focus at the Third Eye we are programming the energy we\'ve gathered in the exercise so that it can go where it\'s needed to bring about healing in our bodies and psyches.

Another focus of in Kundalini Yoga is to have the eyes open 1/10th with the gaze at the tip of the nose is also said to connect us to the root chakra and stimulate Kundalini. It also stimulates the frontal lobe part of the brain. Yes, you will still get the benefits of the meditation if you practice with the eyes closed but the effects will definitely be heightened with the corresponding focus.

Focusing at the tip of your nose will help make your eyes stronger over time. Using that eye focus while meditating was the first recorded instance, in history as we know it, of any yoga reference.

A tip for practice is to hold a fingertip 6 inches in front of the tip of your nose. Keep the gaze very soft, sort of like looking, but not looking. Let the gaze take in everything in the periphery surrounding your fingertip so you see everything simultaneously. This lets your conscious mind be still and your unconscious mind take over. Now follow with your gaze as you draw the fingertip towards your nose. When you touch your nose drop your finger and continue to look towards the nose tip.

When we focus at the tip of the nose with the eyes 1/10 open, we are also connecting with our "feeling," aspect, which makes a particular technique more effective for emotional healing. Remember to keep the gaze soft. If, at any time, you feel eyestrain, please continue with your eyes closed.