The name Dragonfly Drishti Yoga brings together two ideas that have deep meaning for me: the symbolism of the dragonfly and the yogic concept of drishti. Together, they reflect qualities that I value both in life and in yoga—awareness, adaptability, presence, and our capacity to grow and change.
The Dragonfly: Change, Resilience, and Presence
The dragonfly has always held special meaning for me. Its life cycle, from its beginnings beneath the water to its transformation into a creature of flight, has long made it a symbol of change and transformation.
Dragonflies are also remarkably adaptable. They can hover, move in different directions, and change course quickly. To me, that agility is a reminder that life rarely follows a straight path. Circumstances change. Bodies change. Priorities change. Sometimes we choose a new direction, and sometimes change is simply asked of us.
Yet there is lightness in the dragonfly, too. Its graceful movement and brief adult life can remind us to appreciate what is here now rather than always looking toward what comes next. Despite its delicate appearance, the dragonfly is also strong and resilient—qualities that can coexist with softness and ease.
The dragonfly can symbolize maturity and wisdom as well: the deeper understanding that comes not simply from growing older, but from experiencing life, adapting to it, and learning along the way.
Drishti: More Than Where We Look
Drishti is a Sanskrit word often translated as gaze or focused attention. In yoga, specific points of focus for the eyes can be used during postures to support concentration, alignment, and balance.
But drishti can also have a broader meaning. It can refer to how we direct our attention—our perspective, intention, or way of seeing.
That meaning resonates with me because yoga asks us to notice. We notice the breath, sensations in the body, our reactions and habits, and what may be different today from the last time we practiced. Rather than demanding a particular outcome, we can pay attention to what is actually happening.
Sometimes changing where—or how—we look allows us to see something differently.
Where Dragonfly and Drishti Come Together
For me, the dragonfly and drishti share a common theme: meeting change with awareness.
The dragonfly represents transformation and adaptability. Drishti represents attention and perspective. Together, they remind me that growth doesn’t necessarily mean continually moving forward, achieving more, or becoming a better version of ourselves. Sometimes growth means becoming more aware of where we are.
That might mean changing direction. It might mean staying where we are for a while. It might mean letting go of an expectation that no longer serves us. And sometimes it simply means paying closer attention.
This is the meaning at the heart of Dragonfly Drishti Yoga: not change for the sake of improvement, but the awareness and adaptability that allow us to meet ourselves and our lives as they are.
How This Shapes My Teaching
These ideas also influence how I approach teaching yoga.
I encourage students to approach practice with curiosity rather than judgment. Instead of deciding what a posture should look like or what we should be able to do, we can become curious about what we experience. How does my body feel today? What happens when I move this way? What changes when I slow down, use support, or choose another option?
This kind of curiosity leaves room for something important: we don’t have to arrive at a particular outcome. In yoga philosophy, this relates to the idea of non-attachment. The practice becomes less about accomplishing something and more about experiencing what is happening in this body, with this breath, in this moment.
It also means honoring the reality that every body is different. Our anatomy, experiences, injuries, energy, health, and histories all shape the way we experience yoga. Even within our own bodies, the same practice or posture may feel very different from one day to another.
For that reason, I want yoga to be a place where there is room to adapt, explore, rest, and change direction. There is no need to compete with anyone else—or with an earlier version of yourself.
My hope for Dragonfly Drishti Yoga is to offer practices that encourage greater awareness, connection, and curiosity—both on the mat and beyond it.
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