Yoga Exercise for the Eyes
from http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/
Like any other muscles, the eye muscles also need exercise to be healthy and strong. Most of the time, we only shift our gaze minimally from left to right, as when reading, and turn our heads if we want to look elsewhere. By moving the eyes in every direction, without turning your head at all, these Yoga Eye Exercises will strengthen the eye muscles, help prevent eyestrain and improve eyesight. Breathe normally while you practice.
- Keeping face forward, look as far up as you can, moving only the eyes. Then look down as far as you can. Alternate 5 times and close eyes 10 seconds to rest.
- Repeat, but look to the right as far as you can, then to the left. Close and rest.
- Repeat looking to the top right, then diagonally downward to the bottom left. Close and rest.
- Similarly, look to the top left, then diagonally downward to the bottom right. Close and rest.
- Trace upper semicircles with eyes 3 times each way. Close and rest. Repeat with lower semicircles.
- Roll eyes slowly in full circles times each way around. Close and rest.
- Lastly, hold your thumb up about a foot from your face, and move your eyes from the thumb to the wall beyond and back.
- To end, always "palm" your eyes. Rest the palm of your hands on closed eye lids with fingers pointing up for at least half a minute.
Variation: The Clock
Now imagine a large clock - look up at 12 o'clock, then circle around it clockwise looking at each successive number. Do this quite slowly. Go around the clock 3 times.
Rest, then repeat the exercise in a counterclockwise direction. End by palming eyes.
