“It has been found that soon after tratak, the parasympathetic predominance is established, as indicated by the lowering of heart rate and respiration rate, as well as, an increase in amplitude of plethysmogram (vasodilatation – Vasodilation refers to the widening of blood vessels).”
The simple logic behind the above stated fact is ‘Your Increased Focus = Decreased Distractions = a Controlled Mind’. This control over mental realm works exclusively on calming down the monkey mind from jumping non-stop from one thought to the other, thereby, making it calmer and stable. This stillness at physical and mental level is a one – stop solution to your anger, depression, anxiety, stress, absent-mindedness etc. and in the process enhances your memory, concentration, will power and reasoning.
Looking intently, with an unwavering gaze, at a small point until tears are shed is known as trataka by the acharyas….. Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Benefits
A pre –meditative tool
The description from Gherand Samhita (I:53) indicates that the tratak is closely associated with the training of the nervous system. It reduces mental tension and unleashes some of the dormant potentials of the mind and prepares you for meditation.
Acts as a catharsis
Tratak is capable of releasing you of repressed or suppressed desires and emotions which might have had a firm hold on your sub conscience. It helps purify your mind off emotional baggages, brings calmness and lightness to your being and brings you a step closer to inner peace.
Insomnia
Tratak is one of the most highly recommended practices for insomniacs. It should be practiced before going to bed. Results could be experienced within a month of practice.
Eye care
People with weak eyesight or weak eye muscles can greatly benefit with regular practice of Tratak.
A preparatory tool for Hypnotherapists
Hypnotherapists need to practice tratak daily to excel in their field. The control they exert over their own mind with Tratak helps them associate with and calm their patients down.
Works on Neural Network
It has been found that it helps neutralizing tendencies like anger, short temper, suspicion, irritation and resentment is done for one month. Anxiety is also controlled. Tratak is a very important practice to remove impurities or blockages in the neural network and to prepare the individual for meditation.
Caution
- One suffering from hypertension should perform shavasana before performing Tratak
- Do not rub your eyes immediately after tratak
- Do not read or watch any form of screen immediately after tratak
- Do not repeat tratak more than thrice in one sitting.
Just a 10-15 minutes practice before going to bed can have a miraculous effect on your overall wellbeing. Research shows that 15 days of practice alone can show a dramatic improvement in your sleep quality.
A 10 minutes practice just for 15 days is not a gigantic chunk of your time for the kind of benefit it brings. So gear up, start practicing and check out the results for yourself.
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Shammi Gupta, founder of Shammi’s Yogalaya holds an MA in Yoga Shastra, is a certified Yogic Therapist and Naturopath, has completed an Advanced Yoga Course and holds a Diploma in Yoga Education from Mumbai University. She is a certified trainer from American College of Sports Medicine and holds an MBA in HR & MBA in Finance from The University of Akron, Ohio, USA. She conducts Health Awareness Workshops for Corporate, Yogasana Workshops for Athletes and Yoga Therapy Workshops on different medical issues for patients. Among the celebrities Shammi trains are eminent personalities from the film and television industry and corporate world.