The benefits of incorporating the age-old practice of candle-gazing into daily life

From guided group sessions to individual movement-based explorations, eyes wide open with a wandering mind to gently closed in deep contemplation, meditation comes in all guises.

There’s no one-size-fits-all option, which means there really is something for everyone, regardless of experience, mobility and personal preference. Trataka is an age-old approach that has stood the test of time, and while little has changed in the way it’s practised, this refreshingly straightforward technique remains as relevant today as it was when it was first created.*

Object of focus

A Sanskrit word, trataka means ‘to look’ or ‘to gaze’. From a yogic perspective, this refers to the method of maintaining the gaze on a fixed object – traditionally the flame of a burning candle. While references date back to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika – a15th-century yoga manual by Swami Swatmarama – trataka remains a regular form of meditation for many, though the name and object of focus can differ. Ofosu Jones-Quartey, a US-based meditation coach and one of the voices of the Balance meditation app, uses the term ‘spotlighting’ to describe this in his guided meditations. While spotlighting can involve other senses, here it refers to the sense of sight or visualisation. Ofosu expands: ‘Spotlighting is a simple way to direct your attention to where you want it to go – in this case, to focus the eyes on a particular point.’