Eyes open or closed?

The main reason I have heard fro instructors is to stay present in the room and not “drift off” and let the mind wander…but I can imagine that would be different for different people, as you said it is for you.

Another factor I have noticed and heard a few instructors mention is that closing the eyes in the hot room can lead to dizziness and disorientation. This can also occur in the postures–the first time I did half moon I instinctively closed my eyes to avoid staring into the fluorescent lights during the back bend and almost fell over! I know they say “trying to fall down backwards”, but err…I don’t think they mean from dizziness 🙂

Also it took alot of work for me to feel comfortable looking in my own eyes during standing savasana, but now it seems strange not to do that. For me it has a strong centering effect.

Hi Amelia and bunni

When we say keep the eyes open it is generally understood it means when you’re lying on the floor in your savasanas. Most people will keep their eyes open in the standing poses. Bunni, I have seen many people close their eyes in a few standing poses: Backbend (of the half moon pose but never half moon), and sometimes and less often Hands to Feet and sometimes Standing Sep Leg Head to Knee.

Backbend they may close their eyes as a natural bodily response to avoiding the fear and vulnerability. The other 2 it’s just a rest. The backbend with eyes closed WILL cause that dizziness and disorientation but the other 2 you could pretty much stay OK.

It’s usually when people get to the floor where they have, up until that moment, tons and tons of visual stimulation. All of a sudden they have very little and even less when they close their eyes. So unless you’re very adept at your meditation and focusing skills it can be (but is not always) easier to keep the eyes open. Because if you close them and you’re tired or unfocused you will drift off.

Meditation is a practice and it takes practising to get better at it. So just know that when the visual stimuli is reduced and the body is still you have to work harder at mind stillness because there is no movement to distract the conscious mind.

From time to time drifting off is fine. Sometimes you’re just tired. Somehow you’ll magically ‘wake up’ for the next pose and you’ll be on task again. It’s just one of those things. Just notice the difference between the states and aspire to stay present. It’s the best you can do. So what if you drift off every now and then! 😉 We all do!

So yes, Amelia, it can be a challenge to keep the eyes open and stay focused. You’ll find it a bit easier if you don’t look directly up towards the ceiling directly above you. Lengthen the back of the neck towards the floor, and the chin will drop a little. Then allow the eyes to look towards the back wall. Depending on you and your position you’ll be looking where the wall and ceiling meet or somewhere towards half way down the wall.

Let me know how it goes

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂