Tratak Kriya: What It Is, Why It’s Practiced, and How to Do It Right

If you've spent any time around a yoga or meditation practice in India, you've probably heard someone mention "Tratak" — usually alongside a candle flame and a lot of very still, very focused staring. It looks simple. It isn't quite as simple as it looks, and it does a lot more than most people expect. This guide covers what Tratak Kriya actually is, why it's practiced, how to do it correctly, and who should be careful with it. Quick Answer Tratak Kriya is a yogic cleansing technique (one of the six Shatkarmas / Shatkriyas) that involves steadily gazing at a single point — usually a candle flame — without blinking, until the eyes water. It's practiced to cleanse and strengthen the eyes, improve concentration, calm the mind, and...