Guest guest Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Comments? Misty L. Trepke http://www..com Eye Strengthening Exercises Yoga to Balance Eyestrain Do you spend your days staring at a computer screen? If you do, you probably know how draining and tiring it can be to your entire body, not just your eyes. The natural state of the body is to be at peace. When we read to understand and learn new information, the mind becomes tense and tries to catch hold. This agitation strains the entire body, including the eyes. That's why people often feel drained after studying or working, even though they haven't physically exerted themselves. The following exercises can help to strengthen the eye muscles and counterbalance the effects of eyestrain. The key to doing these exercises is to relax and empty the mind as if you are meditating. Improving Visual Concentration The first step is to strengthen visual concentration. Sit comfortably with your back and neck straight but not stiff. Start by holding each posture for a few minutes and gradually increase. 1. Focus your gaze on the tip of your nose without blinking. Remain like this for as long as you can. Then close your eyes and relax. 2. Focus on your " third eye " without blinking. This is the area between the eyebrows above your nose. Then close your eyes and relax. It may feel uncomfortable or hard to do at first, but do not let yourself become frustrated. Keep your focus on that area and with time, you will find this posture easier to do. 3. Without turning your head, focus both eyes on your left shoulder. Remain like this for as long as you can. Then close your eyes and relax. Repeat this sequence with the right shoulder. After you are finished, place the palms of your hands on your closed eyes and rest for as long as you would like. Imagination to Balance Visual Concentration Lie on your back facing up. Your palms should face the ceiling and your legs should be about shoulder-width apart. If you are doing this exercise in your office then sit comfortably in your chair. Close your eyes. Breathe into your belly. Feel it expand as it fills with air. Continue for a few minutes and then open your eyes. Look at some object. Close your eyes again and continue " seeing " that object. This exercise helps to relax your eyes. It also balances mental focus with imagination. Meditation to Balance Visual Concentration Lie on your back facing up. Your palms should face the ceiling and your legs should be about shoulder-width apart. If you are doing this exercise in your office then sit comfortably in your chair. Close your eyes and place your palms over your closed eyes. Breathe into your belly. Feel it expand as it fills with air. Continue for a few minutes and then open your eyes. Look at some object. Look but keep your mind empty. Don't let yourself attach to it or stare at it. This exercise teaches you how to focus without straining or depleting your eyes. How to Prevent Eyestrain If you spend your day staring at your computer screen, these eye training exercises can help to counteract the eyestrain and help prevent headaches. Once you have memorized the routine, you can easily do them several times per day, depending on how long you work. Here are the instructions: 1. Sit at the edge of your chair with your back straight. Close your eyes and place the palm of each hand over an eye, so you feel your palms warming your eyes. 2. Remove your hands, keeping your eyes closed. Inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale and let your head drop forward then rotate it from side to side. Then shrug your shoulders, making circles with them forward and backward. 3. Close your eyes tightly and lift and tighten your shoulders as much as you can. Hold for a few seconds and then exhale, suddenly releasing your shoulders and opening your eyes. Repeat this several times. 4. Blink repeatedly, fluttering your eyelids until your eyes become moist. Repeat this several times. 5. Breathing naturally, focus on an object far away from you for about half a minute. Try to maintain your focus, then blink rapidly several times. Then focus on a nearby object for about 15 seconds. Try to maintain your focus, then blink rapidly several times. 6. This exercise helps to counteract the tendency to squint. With your eyes half-open, look up while exhaling. 7. This exercise helps the extrinsic muscles that move the eyes. Try to keep your head straight and in line with your spine. Roll your eyes into all of the directions below while exhaling. Hold for a few seconds and then return your eyes to the center while you inhale. Upward Downward To the right To the left Up to the right at 45 degrees Up to the left at 45 degrees Down at 45 degrees to the right Down at 45 degrees to the left 8. Again trying to keep your head straight, look straight ahead at an object. Exhale and look from side to side without turning your head. Now try to exhale and turn your head from side to side several times letting your eyes follow the head movement. Then turn your upper body from side to side and let your eyes follow. 9. Place your palms over your eyes to warm them. When you are ready, remove them and open your eyes. http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/illnesswellness/a/EyeExercise1.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Can anyone actually see their nose? And what about your shoulder? I can't see my shoulders, either. Maybe I don't understand the exercise? Carol Misty L. Trepke [mistytrepke] 1. Focus your gaze on the tip of your nose without blinking. Remain like this for as long as you can. Then close your eyes and relax. 2. Focus on your " third eye " without blinking. This is the area between the eyebrows above your nose. Then close your eyes and relax. It may feel uncomfortable or hard to do at first, but do not let yourself become frustrated. Keep your focus on that area and with time, you will find this posture easier to do. 3. Without turning your head, focus both eyes on your left shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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