Use Yogic Exercises to Save Your Eyesight

Are you one of those individuals who have learned to appreciate their eyes and privilege of clear vision after things around have begun to appear blurred? As human beings we do tend to take our eyes and the vision that they provide for granted until the day comes when our eyesight fails to function as efficiently as before and need to rely on glasses. However, grim though the scenario might sound, there is indeed a proverbial silver lining in the black cloud and in this case it originates in the ancient art of yoga.

Yogic exercises that are listed as follows are designed to restore the toning and flexibility of eye muscles that is lost as we grow older courtesy of habitual seeing and not varying points of focus. Some of these eye-savers are –

Focusing on a single spot – Having assumed an erect and comfortable posture, you must select a point that lies straight ahead at the level of your eye and focus on it. While the duration might be very short for the first few times, efforts should be made to lengthen it gradually till the one-minute mark is achieved. All through the gaze, the rest of the body needs to be totally relaxed so that it is only the eye muscles that are exercised.

Horizontal and vertical eye movements – Imagine you are sitting face-to-face with a clock. Exercising the eye horizontally would entail first focusing on the 3 o’clock position and then gradually shifting it to the 9 o’clock position. After performing these linear movements for around 10 minutes it is time to shift gaze to the 12 o’clock position and then bring it down to the 6 o’clock point. This accounts for the vertical movement of the eye and plays an equally important role in toning of its muscles.

Angular movements – In this exercise you will be required to move your eye from one upper corner to the opposite lower corner, meaning from the 2 o’clock position in the clock to the 7 o’clock position and vice versa. A little later the line of gaze is altered to 11 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions respectively meaning the upper left and the lower right corner.

Palming – Since it is the light surrounding us that causes our eyes stress, one of the best ways to facilitate recovery entails palming, wherein palms are rubbed together till they generate sufficient heat and then cupped over the eyes with actually touching them. When accompanied by deep inhaling and exhaling, palming not only de-stresses the eye but also rejuvenates the nerves surrounding it thus ensuring an enriched supply of blood.