What Is Dharana? The 6th Limb of Yoga and the Power of Concentration
A Deeper Dive into Yoga Beyond the Pose
When most people think of yoga, they picture poses (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and maybe a few moments of relaxation. But yoga, as described in the ancient Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, is a full path—a holistic system made up of eight limbs that lead us toward peace, presence, and self-realization.
Once we’ve begun turning inward through Pratyahara (the withdrawal of the senses), we arrive at the sixth limb: Dharana, or concentration.
At Nami Yoga Studio in Kyoto and Tokyo, many of our practices—whether it’s a steady warrior pose, a guided meditation, or even a moment of silence—invite you into Dharana, often without even realizing it.
📖 What Is Dharana?
Dharana (pronounced dha-rah-nah) is the Sanskrit word for concentration, or focused attention. It refers to the practice of holding the mind on a single point of focus.
The root “dhri” means “to hold, carry, or maintain.” So in Dharana, we are training the mind to stay steady—like a candle flame in still air.
In a world of endless distractions, Dharana is the yogic art of single-tasking. Of staying with one thing—whether it's the breath, a mantra, a sound, a visual object, or simply a feeling of presence.
🌀 Where Dharana Fits in the 8 Limbs of Yoga
Let’s quickly see where Dharana fits into the larger path:
Yama – ethical foundations
Niyama – personal observances
Asana – physical postures
Pranayama – breath control
Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – concentration
Dhyana – meditation
Samadhi – absorption, bliss, union
Think of Dharana as the bridge between the outer practices (movement, breath) and the deeper inner practices (meditation, stillness). It’s the first step toward meditation—not clearing the mind, but focusing it.
🧘♀️ Examples of Dharana in Daily Life
You’ve likely experienced Dharana without even knowing it.
When you’re completely absorbed in reading a book
When you get “in the zone” during creative work
When you follow your breath in a slow yoga flow
When you watch a candle flame or listen to gentle rain and feel totally present
In those moments, your attention isn’t scattered. It’s gathered. That’s Dharana.
💬 What It Looks Like in a Yoga Practice
At Nami Yoga Studio, we weave Dharana into many of our classes, such as:
Flow & Meditate – Linking breath and movement in a way that sharpens focus
Slow Flow or Hatha – Holding a pose with mindful attention on body sensations
Guided meditation or breathwork – Using the breath as a focal point
Candlelit classes or stillness practices – Focusing on a single sensory input
We’re not trying to “empty the mind.” Instead, we’re practicing staying with one thing at a time, moment by moment.
🌿 Why Dharana Matters Today
In today’s fast, distracted world, Dharana is more than a philosophy—it’s a survival skill.
We’re constantly pulled in 100 directions: emails, texts, social media, multitasking, to-do lists. Our attention is fragmented, which leads to:
Mental fatigue
Anxiety
Lack of creativity
Trouble sleeping
Feeling overwhelmed
Dharana brings you back to center. It’s like cleaning the lens of your awareness, so you can think clearly, respond wisely, and be more present in whatever you do.
🔁 A Dharana Practice You Can Try Today
You don’t need a cushion or incense to practice Dharana. Try this:
Sit comfortably. Close your eyes.
Choose one thing to focus on: your breath, a mantra like “so hum”, or a sound.
Stay with it for 2–5 minutes.
When your mind wanders (and it will!), gently bring it back—again and again.
It’s like training a puppy. Gentle repetition builds strength.
🧘 “Where your attention goes, your energy flows.”
Dharana is the art of guiding that energy with intention, one breath at a time.
Whether you're on the mat, at your desk, or walking through a Kyoto garden, Dharana invites you to return to now, to choose your focus, and to be fully there for it.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.