Ekagrata: Cultivating Focus Through Yoga

Picture this: a dense forest, alive with the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. Sunlight filters through the thick canopy, casting shifting patterns on the forest floor. Amidst the green, hanging from a slender branch, is a tiny wooden bird—its even tinier eye no bigger than a pinprick.

A revered teacher leads his students into this forest, their years of training culminating in this one challenge. They must find the wooden bird hidden among the foliage and, with unwavering precision, send an arrow through its eye.

The Story of Arjun and the Bird’s Eye

One by one, the teacher asks the princes, “What do you see?”

One prince marvels at the vastness before him: “I see the great forest, the sky, the golden sun, and all the creatures moving about.”
Another humbly responds, “I see only your feet, my guru, and nothing beyond.”
A third prince narrows his gaze: “I see the tree, the branch, the leaves, and the bird.”

Then comes Arjun, the greatest archer of them all. His voice is steady: “I see only the eye of the bird.”

This is the kind of focus—ekagrata—that feels almost mythical in our world of endless notifications, TikToks, and scrolling reels. But focus isn’t a relic of the past. It’s a skill we can cultivate through yoga and intentional practice.

Why Focus Still Matters

Imagine sitting down to work and completing an hour’s worth of tasks without your mind drifting to dinner plans, grocery lists, or overdue vet appointments.

Imagine reading a book and remembering every detail days later.

Imagine lying down at night and falling asleep the moment your head meets the pillow.

Focus affects everything—our productivity, learning, stress levels, sleep, and our ability to be truly present.

How Yoga Trains the Mind to Focus

At Jeeva, each class is designed with a clear focus—whether it's on the spine, hamstrings, or often-overlooked joints like the wrists. This level of attention trains the body and the mind.

In yoga philosophy, we call this ekagrata: single-pointed concentration. A mind so steady, it rests on one object without wavering.

That kind of focus may feel out of reach—but with practice, it becomes second nature.
Just like Arjun’s arrow finding its mark.

Practise Ekagrata at Jeeva

If you're ready to explore how yoga can sharpen your focus, join us on the mat.
Start with our Introductory Pass and experience classes designed to help you cultivate ekagrata.


Purchase your Introductory Pass here.