Eye Exercises And Yoga

Almost everyone, today, is suffering from weak eyesight. So don’t worry too much. Even little children, you may have noticed are running around with a pair of glasses perched on their tiny noises. Then again, it’s a wonderful thing that you have taken recourse to Yoga. Yoga emphasizes a lot on eye exercises, for the basic reason that the eye muscles are the most used – and misused – in our whole system. Many eye problems that manifest in later life are the result of weakened eye muscles. Over the years – through overuse and misuse – our eye muscles become stiff and inflexible. The resultant lack of elasticity reduces the power of the eye. This is what is called weak eyesight as we grow older.

Yoga prescribes eye exercises to help tone up our eye muscles. If started early in life, they help keep the eyes elastic. But don’t worry if you’re already afflicted by weak eyes. With these lovely exercises, your eyesight will improve in a couple of months. They are called Trataka (fixed eye gazing) but involve a series of exercises.

How To Do These Exercises

Exercise # 1

First, locate a small spot you are able to clearly see on a wall opposite you. Then focus on that spot, but do not strain, or frown. If you find yourself getting tense stop and relax. It is very important not to move your head all throughout. It is possible for your gaze to shift, as it happens to a lot of people. Don’t worry, return to the point every time you’re distracted and continue with the practice.

Next, drop your eyes a tiny spot on the floor. This too, should be clearly visible to you. Stare at it without straining or blinking then return to the spot on the wall.

All throughout you should breathe normally, without palpitating or breathing deeply.

Exercise # 2

Roll your eyes up into your head as far as possible. Next, roll your eyes down in their sockets as low as possible. Do this 4 – 5 times. After this, blink quickly a couple times. This will help relax your eye muscles.

Exercise # 3

Repeat Exercise # 2 but turning your eyes to your left and right. Remember to keep your gaze at shoulder level. You may raise your fingers or stick two ballpoint pens on your shoulders to guide you. Place them in a convenient way so that you are able to clearly see them when you move your eyes left and right. Remember not to strain here as well.

These exercises are bound to help rid you of eye strain. Also make it a point to wash your eyes with cold water – splash – morning and night.