Actor Vidyut Jammwal goes viral for unblinking stare during yoga practice

A video of actor and fitness enthusiast Vidyut Jammwal staring without blinking while tears run down his face has sparked widespread curiosity on Instagram. Shot during an event for his upcoming movie Street Fighter, the clip led many fans to wonder if he was holding back emotion or performing an acting exercise. Yoga expert Sonakshi Dhamija clarified that the star was actually demonstrating Trataka, an ancient yogic gazing technique used to build focus and calm the mind. According to Dhamija, the practice involves looking at a single point without blinking, which naturally causes the eyes to water.

Trataka Details

Rooted in classical Hatha Yoga and mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipik as one of six cleansing techniques known as shatkarmas, Trataka is viewed by modern practitioners in two ways. The first stage is a kriya or cleansing technique using open eyes to engage eye muscles and spark mental alertness. The second stage is single-pointed meditation, or ekagrata, where the practitioner closes their eyes and watches the inner afterimage. Research highlighted in a blog post on Yogavijnana.in points to several cognitive benefits. A 2021 study using the Corsi-Block Tapping Task showed gains in working memory and spatial attention after two weeks of daily practice. A 2010 EEG study by Sharma and Tyagi linked the practice to increased alpha-wave activity for relaxed alertness, while a 2015 study by Raghavendra and Singh showed improved selective attention on the Stroop test. Variations of the practice include Point or Bindu Trataka, Yantra or image Trataka, Moon or Chandra Trataka, and internal variations like gazing at the tip of the nose or between the eyebrows. Practising involves sitting in a dimly lit room with a target at eye level, fixing the gaze without straining, closing the eyes when tears flow, and focusing on the afterimage for three to five minutes. Experts caution that overexertion can cause headaches, and individuals with glaucoma, cataracts, severe refractive errors, or epilepsy should avoid it.

Context

Trataka is part of traditional yoga practices designed to train the mind through physical discipline and controlled focus. While some studies suggest cognitive benefits like better working memory and relaxation, experts advise taking dramatic health claims with caution.