Healing please - palming

February 5, 2004

Dear Lynne,

Been called many things, but never Brian!

I really feel for you with those symptoms.

Assuming you have NOT been diagnosed with glaucoma, it sounds to me that palming might help your headaches, and perhaps start you on the road to seeing better.

But we can never promise anything, the Bates Method is not an exact science, and everyone is different.

But it can't do any harm.

The following was written by one of my teachers, Peter Mansfield, who wrote one of the books on the list:

Palming has a number of purposes, the foremost of which is to rest the eyes. We sit down to rest our feet, when we feel the need. If the eyes are accepted as part of the living body, it will be understood that they, too, need rest occasionally When the sight is perfectly normal the eyes work easily and need very little rest: when sight is abnormal due to strain, all activity is relatively tiring, so more rest is needed. Any symptoms of strain, soreness, itchiness of the eyes, many headaches and general wearines, are usually indications to rest by palming. The more quickly one responds to, or even anticipates the need, the less resting time will be required.

In palming, the hands, slightly 'cupped' cover the eye sockets, the fingers crossed on the forehead. The eyes, closed, are carefully covered to exclude all light. There may be firm contact between hands and face (avoid excessive pressure) but none at all between hands and eyes. The elbows should be supported so that the back is comfortably straight and so that there is no undue pressure on the neck, shoulders and arms. Be aware also of the importance of the position of the feet in achieving a relaxed and comfortable posture. It is worth experimenting very carefully to find the best position as a very small difference in the height of support can have a big effect on comfort.

Check to see if the eyes are slightly turned up whilst palming. This will show as tension, with the lids slightly twitching See if that can be released with an out-breath as you breathe in and out. It is useful to think of the eyes as looking slightly down towards the cheek bones as the lids close over the eyes when beginning a palming session. If there is difficulty in getting the lids to close, a useful exercise is 'Airplanes' (see below). After a few repetitions of this the closing of the eyes will feel more natural.

We can think of palming in three stages:

1 Remedial

If there are symptoms of visual fatigue, palming is the first aid of choice. Sensation of strain, dryness or itching. Manifest blurring of vision (more than usual). General fatigue of the 'hard day' variety Palm for ten minutes or so and see if there is improvement. If so, continue palming until symptoms are entirely relieved, or until there is no further improvement.

2 Preventive

If palming relieves symptoms on a remedial basis, but the symptoms recur; identify the situations which cause the problem and anticipate, by palming before commencing the activity or at regular intervals before symptoms occur. Note the difference in sensation before and after palming.

3 Constructive

Relaxation of mind and body can be well developed through palming. Relaxation does not mean switching off and collapsing - but releasing tension and acting as required in the most appropriate economical, balanced way. The eye is only free from strain when it is used correctly, by central fixation, so relaxation in Dr Bates' sense equates to good use and normal coordination. Palming is a special case since, as there is no sensory input, the proper activity of the eye is to do nothing.

This experience provided a reference point from which strain in activities will be more easily recognised, which is the lirst step towards its prevention.

Creative mental activity is a valuable extension of palming. All kinds of exercises in memory and imagination, every kind of mental task from arranging a shopping list to composing a symphony can be carried out just as easily or better with the eyes closed as with them open. To begin with one will probably tend to 'think' with the eyes, causing strain. The point is to remain detached, to leave the eyes alone: it may be helpful to think of the pictures as forming in the back of the head (the actual location of the visual centre in the brain). When this can be done it increases the restfulness of the experience and makes it a valuable preparation for seeing.

Quick Palming ('Airplanes').

This is an alternative technique for palming.

Sit quietly with the eyes closed and relaxing.

Note how the eyes feel, and especially if one feels larger or harder, or in some other way diiferent from its partner.

If there is a difference, wait for it to equalize.

Place the hands, palm upwards, in the lap.

Consider how the eye is supported in its socket, and connected to the various eye muscles.

Consider how the eye muscles interconnect with the muscles of the face.

Consider how the facial muscles interconnect with those of the head and shoulders.

Consider how the head and shoulder muscles interconnect with those of the arm and ultimately the hand.

Feel the flow of energy from the eyes through the face and neck, down the arms and into the upturned hands.

Feel the connection between the open palms and the eyes, wanting to 'complete the circuit'.

Continue to feel that energetic connection as you slowly raise the hands to the face, sitting

upright and using the arms, without hunching the body.

Let the hands approach the face very slowly, so that it feels like a sunset as they eventually wrap around bringing warmth and darkness.

Hold the hands in position just as long as it is comfortable: before the arms begin to tire, release the palms from the eyes and again slowly return the hands to the lap.

Repeat as often and for as long as you feel that it will he helpful.

There are a number of good reasons for preferring this way of palming:

People who tend to become bored and fidgety in static palming find the gentle activity is more relaxing.

There is less likelihood of adopting a cramped and rigid posture.

Particularly for glaucoma sufferers, there is less risk of inadvertently causing pressure anound the eyes.

Even if conventional palming is successful, ‘warming up' in this way before settling down can make it even better.

Enjoy your palming!

-

Lynne

holistic-health

05 February 2004 00:26

Re: Healing please

WOW

Thankyou Brian

I am sposed to have worn glasses since a child, i jumped on them cos the kids in school called me speccy and never wore them since.

Now i find it quite difficult in various things reading, knowing who is calling me from other side of street, the prescrip they want me to wear are soooooooooooooooo strong.

I get violent headaches, eyes pour with tears, i walk into doors and walls, feel as if i am walking uphill and still more, so that is just not an option for me, i will certainly look into the site and try get the book

Thankyou again for your help you are very kind

With Love Lynne xxx

Love, Light,Laughter & Reiki Lynne

Energy follows thought and thought directs energy.

Live consciously and be a lighthouse.

Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace within it.

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February 5, 2004

Dear Stewart

Took 4 attempts to write "stewart" i still wrote Brian! i have no clue why i feel the need to call you by a name which is not yours, i have never even met you yet you seem to fit Brian,

in my mind.

Anyway Stewart Thankyou so much for your reply i have printed it off and will take on hols with me, i couldnt get in with the optician until monday and then i will be in Scotland, told me to go to A & E which i dont feel neccessary, i will let you know how i get on.

Thanks again Love Lynne xxx

Love, Light,Laughter & Reiki Lynne

Energy follows thought and thought directs energy.

Live consciously and be a lighthouse.

Serenity is not freedom from the storm but peace within it.

BT Broadband - Free modem offer, sign up online today and save £80