Eye yoga to get a better vision

In the past, children would use their free time to play in the sand, stones and other outdoor activities. Now, however, kids from all age groups spend their leisure time in front of the television, their mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PlayStations, and iPods.

This has led to an increase in vision problems at a young age. Adults, too, are spending a majority of their time with these gadgets, not just during their leisure time; these gadgets have become essential for them. This causes greater stress on the eyes and its components.

Yoga offers some simple exercises that can help relieve eye strain. Many of the yogic exercises are geared towards improving the functioning of specific body parts. There are a number of eye exercises that are included in yoga that help with eye-related problems such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Doing these exercises can help your eyes feel better.

Yoga techniques for the eyes help to improve various disorders related to defects in the eye muscles such as myopia and Hypermetropia.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started!

What is eye yoga?

Eye yoga is a holistic approach to vision improvement that involves a series of simple exercises and relaxation techniques. It is a great way to improve vision, reduce eyestrain, and relax the eyes.

Although the term “yoga” is often associated with the physical practice of stretching and flexibility, yoga is actually a state of being where the mind, body, and spirit are in harmony.

There are a range of yoga practices that can be used to address different issues, from anxiety and depression to insomnia, back pain, and (of course) vision issues. Eye yoga is a practice that includes a series of exercises and techniques that are aimed at improving vision, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation, calmness, and inner balance.

Benefits of eye yoga

There are a number of benefits associated with practicing eye yoga. Here are some of them:

– Improved vision

Eye yoga exercises help to promote circulation in the eyes and improve overall vision. Studies have shown that there is a connection between the eyes and the central nervous system. By improving the health of the eyes, we can promote general vision improvement.

– Alleviation of eyestrain

Eye yoga promotes relaxation and helps to reduce eyestrain. When we are stressed or anxious, our eyes tense up and have a tendency to go out of alignment. Over time, this can cause permanent strain on the eyes, leading to vision problems and eye fatigue.

– Relaxation and improved mental health

One of the most significant benefits of eye yoga is its ability to promote relaxation and improve mental health.

– Increased energy and vitality

Eye yoga promotes relaxation and reduces stress, which can help to increase energy and vitality.

Yoga exercises for eyes

1. Palming

Wash your hands before the practice!

Short Practice

Generate some warmth by rubbing your palms together. Then, lightly place the palms of your hands over your eyes. You can either keep them open or shut. Let your eyes move naturally. Take a few deep, conscious breaths. After a few minutes, remove your hands from your face. If you can, repeat the exercise multiple times.

Longer Practice

1. Decide to recline or sit up. Ensure that you feel comfortable by utilizing a cushion or pillow to prop up your arms and wrapping yourself with blankets to make sure you’re cozy.
   
2. If you practice palming for an extended period, you can listen to your favourite tunes, radio station, or podcast. You could also recall a joyful recollection with all of your senses. For example, envision a bright day on the beach. Recall the sound of the surf, the scent of the ocean, the sensation of the water on your skin, and the flavour of the ice cream.
   
3. Once you feel you are finished with the palming technique, take away your hands gradually and open your eyes gradually to accustom them to the brightness. Blink your eyes a few times gently.
   
4. An eye pillow or mask can be substituted for your hands while practicing relaxation techniques, but it is often more soothing to use your own body heat.
   
5. It’s advisable to increase the duration of palming gradually to prevent your arms and hands from becoming excessively exhausted.
   

Benefits

Resting the eyes through palming is a great way to relax and energize the eye muscles, as well as increase the flow of aqueous humour, the fluid located between the cornea and the lens of the eye, which can help improve vision problems.

2. Blinking

1. Get yourself into a comfortable position and open your eyes.
   
2. Rapidly blink 10 times, then shut your eyes and relax for 20 seconds, focusing on your breathing.
   
3. Do this cycle around 5 times.
   

Benefits

Individuals who have trouble with their vision tend to blink unconventionally and erratically. This is caused by a continual strain of the eyes. This exercise helps the blinking reflex to become more natural and reduces the tension in the eye muscles.

3. Sideways Viewing

1. Position your legs in an extended posture directly in front of you.
   
2. Elevate your arms while keeping your fists closed and your thumbs facing up.
   
3. Focus your gaze on an object that is even with your eye line.
   
4. Keep the head in this fixed position, focus on the following one after the other, by shifting your vision to the
   
   – Space between the eyebrows
   – Left thumb
   – Space between the eyebrows
   – Right thumb
   – Space between the eyebrows
   – Left thumb
   
5. Repeat the same process for around 10 to 20 times.
   
6. Once you are done with the exercise, close your eyes and let yourself relax.

PS: Try to observe your breathing pattern while your perform this exercise.
– Neutral position – Inhale
– while looking sidewards – Exhale
– Coming back to the center – Inhale

Find out more in this video:

Benefits

Taking a break from staring at something and looking off to the side helps ease the stress of constantly staring at things while doing close work and reading. Additionally, it helps prevent and fix crossed eyes.

4. Front and sideways viewing

1. You have to stay in the same position as you were in the above exercise.
   
2. Put your left hand on your left leg with your thumb facing upwards.
   
3. Place the right thumb away from the body and then angle it upwards.
   
4. Without turning one’s head, one should look successively at the left thumb and then the right thumb before focusing their gaze back on the left thumb.
   
5. Repeat the above steps around 10 times. Once you are done, close your eyes and relax yourself.
   
6. Now, repeat the same process on the other side of the body.
   
7. Ensure that your head and spine are straight throughout.
   
8. Once you are done, time to rest.
   
9. You can do palming after this to relax.

Benefits

Seeing objects from different angles can assist in bettering coordination between the muscles located at the inner and outer sides of the eye.

This will help further:

5. Up and down viewing

1. Position your legs in an extended posture directly in front of you.
   
2. Position both hands on the lap with the thumbs facing upwards.
   
3. With arms outstretched, lift the left thumb up in a gradual manner, observing its movements with your vision.
   
4. Once the thumb is raised as far as it can go, undo the motion and keep your eyes on the thumb without shifting your head.
   
5. Rest for a while and repeat on the other hand.
   
6. You can repeat this exercise 10 times with each thumb.
   
7. Ensure that your head and spine are positioned straight.
   
8. Once done, rest for a while. You can also perform palming to relax your eyes.
   

While raising the eyes – Inhale

While lowering the eyes – Exhale

Benefits

This exercise works out the muscles in the top and bottom of the eyes.

Find out the detailed guide here:

6. Rotational viewing

1. Sit straight with your legs extended in front of you.
   
2. Put the right hand on the right knee and clasp the left hand into a fist above the left leg, with the thumb facing upwards.
   
3. And the elbow should stay straight.
   
4. Subsequently, make a big circular motion with the left arm towards the left, then upwards, bending towards the right, and ultimately going back to the original position.
   
5. Keep the gaze fixed on the thumb without adjusting the head.
   
6. Repeat the same steps 10 times clockwise and 10 times anti-clockwise.
   
7. Now, repeat this same process on the right side.
   
8. Keep your head and spine straight. To relax, you can perform palming.
   

This will help:

Benefits

Rotational viewing improves the coordinated activities of all the eye muscles.

7. Preliminary Nasikagra Drishti (preliminary nosetip gazing)

1. Position yourself either with your legs stretched out in front of you or in a crossed-legged pose.
   
2. Extend your left arm out in front of your nose and make a fist with your left hand, keeping the thumb facing upward.
   
3. Keep your eyes trained on the tip of your thumb. Bend your arm and slowly bring your thumb to the tip of your nose, still gazing at the thumb tip.
   
4. Stay in this position for a few seconds. Then, gradually straighten your arm while still looking at your thumb.
   
5. This completes one round.
   
6. You can repeat the same steps for around 10 times.
   
7. Ensure that your spine and head are kept straight. To relax your eyes, you can perform palming several times.

Find the detailed steps here:

Benefits

This activity strengthens the eye’s ability to adjust and concentrate.

8. Near and distant viewing

1. Position yourself either standing or sitting at a window with an unobstructed view of the horizon, with your arms resting at your sides.
   
2. Concentrate your gaze on the end of your nose for 5 seconds and then shift your eyes to a faraway object on the horizon for another 5 seconds.
   
3. You can repeat the same steps for around 10 times.
   
4. Ensure that your spine and head are kept straight. To relax your eyes, you can perform palming several times.
   

Here you can find detailed steps:

Benefits

This activity too strengthens the eye’s ability to adjust and concentrate. However, the range of movements in these eye muscles is further increased.

PS: You can perform Shavansa after performing all these yoga exercises for eyes. It will help in relaxing the body.

Eye yoga safety precautions

As with any exercise regime, it is important to take the necessary precautions when performing eye yoga. Here are a few safety tips:

– Avoid practicing eye yoga if you have a pre-existing eye issue such as dry eyes, eye infections, allergies, or if you have undergone recent eye surgery.

– Avoid performing eye yoga if you have low blood pressure, as it might cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.

– If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before performing eye yoga as it can cause pressure on the carotid artery and reduce blood flow to the fetus.

– Avoid practicing eye yoga for long periods of time.

Eye Health Tips

While yoga for eyes can be beneficial for your vision, it’s also important to take care of your eyes in other ways. Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear:

• Wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.
  
• Take regular breaks from staring at screens to reduce eye strain.
  
• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  
• Get regular eye check-ups to detect any vision problems early on.
  
• Quit smoking to reduce the risk of developing eye diseases.
  

Common Misconceptions about Eye yoga

There are a few common misconceptions about yoga for eyes that need to be addressed. First, it’s important to note that yoga for eyes is not a miracle cure for vision problems.

While it can be beneficial for improving your vision, it will not cure any underlying vision impairments.

In addition, it’s important to note that yoga for eyes is not a substitute for regular eye check-ups. It’s important to get regular check-ups to detect any vision problems early on.

Furthermore, yoga for eyes is not a replacement for glasses or contact lenses. If you need corrective lenses, you should still wear them.

Study Results on Eye Yoga

Recent studies have shown that practicing yoga for eyes can indeed be beneficial for your vision. In one study, participants who practiced yoga for eyes for 20 minutes daily for six weeks were found to have improved their near and far visual acuity.

In another study, participants who practiced yoga for eyes daily for 12 weeks were found to have improved their color vision.

The results of these studies suggest that regular practice of yoga for eyes can indeed be beneficial for your vision. So if you’re looking to improve your vision naturally, it may be worth giving yoga for eyes a try.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to improve your vision naturally, look no further than yoga for eyes. It has been around for centuries and is said to be beneficial for those suffering from vision impairments, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and even presbyopia.

It can also help with dry eyes, night blindness, and even color blindness.

In this blog post, we’ll took a closer look at the benefits of yoga for eyes, and how you can use it to improve your vision naturally. We’ll also discuss various yoga exercises and provided you with some eye health tips to keep your eyes in tip-top shape.