Shambhavi Mudra

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Shambhavi Mudra also known as eyebrow centre gazing is a mana mudra (head mudras)

How to do Shambhavi Mudra – Eyebrow Centre Gazing

Sit in any comfortable meditation asana.
Keep the head and spine upright and straight, and place the hands on the knees in either chin or jnana mudra. Close the eyes and relax the whole body.
Relax all the muscles of the face, including the forehead, the eyes and behind the eyes.
Slowly open the eyes and look ahead at a fixed point, keeping the head and the whole body absolutely still. Next, look upward and inward, focusing the eyes at the eyebrow centre.
The head should not move.
When performed correctly, the curve of the eyebrows will form a V-shaped image. The apex of the V is located at the eyebrow centre.
If the V-formation is not seen, the gaze is not directed upward and inward correctly.
Release the gaze at the slightest sensation of strain.
Hold the gaze for only a few seconds at first.
Close your eyes and relax.
Suspend the thought processes and meditate on the stillness in the dark space in front of the closed eyes.

Breathing pattern while doing Shambhavi Mudra – Eyebrow Centre Gazing

After mastering the eye movement, coordinate it with the breath.
Inhale slowly while raising the gaze.
Hold the breath while maintaining the upward gaze.
Exhale slowly as the gaze is lowered.

Awareness:

Physical – on the sensations in the eyes, and on relaxing them between rounds.
Spiritual – on ajna chakra.

Duration:

Start with 5 rounds and gradually increase to 10 rounds over a period of months.

Benefits of doing Shambhavi Mudra – Eyebrow Centre Gazing

Physically, shambhavi mudra strengthens the eye muscles and releases accumulated tension in this area.
Mentally, it calms the mind, removing emotional stress and anger.
It develops concentration, mental stability and the state of thoughtlessness.

Precautions while doing Shambhavi Mudra – Eyebrow Centre Gazing

The eyes are very sensitive and consequently the final position should not be held for too long. If the nerves are weak, any strain can cause retinal detachment. Release the position when strain is experienced.
People suffering from glaucoma should not practise this mudra. Those with diabetic retinopathy or those who have just had cataract surgery, lens implant or other eye operation, should not perform shambhavi without the guidance of a competent teacher.

Advanced Practice: (Internal Shambhavi Mudra)

Once shambhavi mudra has been mastered with the eyes open, it may be performed with the eyes closed. This is a more powerful practice because the awareness is more internalized. Be careful not to lose awareness of the eyebrow centre during the practice. Always ensure that the inner gaze is directed upward, although the eyes are closed.

Practice note:

Shambhavi mudra is a powerful technique for awakening ajna chakra and is a meditation practice in its own right. It may produce profound experiences and should only be performed under the guidance of a competent teacher. Shambhavi mudra is also incorporated in asanas such as simhasana, the lion pose.
Shambhavi mudra is a means of attaining higher awareness and inducing higher consciousness within the practitioner. The practice is also known as bhrumadhya drishti·
bhru means ‘eyebrow centre’ and drishti means ‘gazing’, hence this is the practice of eyebrow centre gazing.