The average person in the work force today spends around seven hours per day staring into a computer screen. It’s not surprising then to discover that most of us are suffering from eye strain and fatigue. This often causes headaches, blurry vision and sometimes permanently impaired eyesight.
In fact, based on British Journal of Ophthalmology, 42% of the adult population are suffering from Myopia.
These disorders are usually overcome using powerful glasses and lenses which correct the refractive errors of the eye. However using powerful glasses can worsen eye problems and never cure bad eyesight.
Yoga provides a series of eye exercises that improves the functioning of the eyes and helps to overcome various eye-related problems.
Eye yoga exercises have been practiced by yogis for generations. Eye strain may be a common problem for the computer age, but maintaining healthy eye sight has always been an important part of the yoga tradition.
The ancient yogis understand the incredible importance of keeping the windows to our souls healthy and strong.
There are a number of different yoga eye exercises, some even involving inverting the body so that blood flows to the eye area.
But here are 5 simple exercises that you easily do without even leaving your desk.
Palming
This is a good way to relieve stain and prepare your eyes for the exercises they about to do. Start by rubbing the palms of your hands together until they are quite warm from the friction.
Now gently press your palms against your closed eyes, holding them there until the warmth spreads from your palms into our eyes.
This exercise soothes and relaxes the eye area while transferring the energy from your hands into your eye area.
Sideways Viewing
For this exercise start by holding your arms out in front of you, hands balled into loose fists with thumbs protruding upwards in a double “thumbs up”.
Keeping your arms held straight, bring them to your sides at shoulder level. Now without moving your head slowly look first to your Left thumb and then your Right.
Repeat this action five times.
Remember to keep your head facing forwards.
Front Viewing – Staggered frontal left to right motion.
Bring your arms into the double thumbs up position again. This time keep your arms in front of you but drop your right hand to your right knee and lift your left hand slightly above your face level.
Face straight ahead and without moving your head look from one thumb to the other five times. Complete this action quite slowly.
Return your gaze to the horizon and then alternate with your left hand fist on your knee and your right fist just above face level.
Depth Exercises
For this exercise you will be changing your depth focus to strengthen different eye muscles. Start with either arm extended and your thumb in the “thumbs up” position. Focus your vision on the tip of your thumb.
Now slowly bring your thumb towards your nose, keeping your eyes focused on the tip of your thumb until it touches your nose.
Hold for three seconds and then drop your hand and allow your focus to move the horizon in front of you. (this is your eyes “relaxed” position).
Repeat five times.
Circular Rotation
For this exercise you will use one hand at a time. Start by extending your Left arm and making the “thumbs up” sign.
Focus your eyes on the tip of your thumb. Now rotate your arm in a large circle towards the left and back up to the middle.
Follow the tip of your thumb with your eyes, keeping your head centred and facing forwards throughout the exercise.
Repeat on the Right hand side. Do five rotations on each side.
When you have completed the exercises close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths in and out through your nose.
Breathing is an important part of yoga not only because of its calming effect but also because it increases the oxygen levels in your blood, making sure that strained and tired muscles receive enough energizing oxygen.
Warning:
If you feel any pain or discomfort in the eye area during or after these exercises consult your health care professional before continuing.
If you have any pre-diagnosed eye conditions you should consult your health care professional before attempting these exercises.
It is important to take care of your eyes as there have been an increase in eye problems like age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.
Learn more about how you can improve your eye health at –
About the Author:
Emma Deangela is the best selling author of The Alkaline Diet Program and 80/20 Fat Loss. She has helped over tens of thousands of men and women to lose weight and transform their health with sound nutrition advice.
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