Good eyesight indicates a healthy body. Thanks to the lifestyle patterns and technological advancement, our eyesight tend to get deteriorated due to overstraining, less relaxation and a faulty diet. It is essential to take good care of our eyes and not overwork them so that they get enough rest and relaxation. Owing to these and many other lifestyle issues, 35% of the world’s population suffers from myopia and hypermetropia in varying degrees. This is why it is important to maintain a good and healthy diet, get at least 8 hours of sleep everyday and practise some relaxation techniques and exercises to help get rid of the eye-strain. Here are some “Netra Yoga” exercises to help relieve eye strain and also to cure minor eye-related issues.
Also read: Yoga for a slimmer face
Rub your palms together for 10-15 seconds until they are warm due to friction. Then gently place them over your eyes with your fingertips resting on your head. Do not touch your eyelids directly, instead, form a pocket with your palms, shut your eyes and relax in the warmth of the darkness. It helps to imagine a soothing sound that will make your brain relax. Try not to think of anything and simply absorb the warmth in your eyes like a sponge. You can continue this exercise for as long as it feels soothing and relaxing. When you’re ready to move your palms away from your eyes, do so slowly and open your eyes gently then blink a few times.
Form a loose fist with your right hand and hold it in front of you at arm’s length with the thumb pointing up. Stand or sit in a comfortable position and focus on your thumb. After 10 seconds (a 10-1 count can help) move the thumb towards your nose until you can no longer focus clearly on it. Pause for a breath and move your hand away keeping your focus on the thumb. Repeat 5-10 times.
Sit straight in a comfortable position and relax your facial muscles. Look straight, relax your eyes and without moving your head gaze up into the sockets of your eyes. Then slowly roll both your eyes and drop your gaze to the left. Continue the same rolling motion and proceed to look down and then to your right. This way trace a large circle with your gaze; this is one eye roll. Perform the same eye-rolling movement three times both clockwise and anti-clockwise.
Near and distant gazing:
Stand or sit by an open window or a place where you have a clear view of the horizon. Keeping your whole body and mind relaxed, focus on the tip of your nose for 10 seconds (count till 10 if you’re not sure of the time) then slowly shift your focus to the horizon and gaze at it for 10-15 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times keeping your breathing fluid and relaxed. Also read: Other than diseases like cataract and glaucoma, many eye disorders that are related to the malfunctioning of the ocular muscles and are caused by mental and emotional tension can be successfully cured with Netra Yoga. While yoga is extremely beneficial and helps one recover, it does not substitute for medicine; so consult a doctor if your condition persists.
Also read: How to take care of your eyes