Do you find yourself rubbing your eyes and squinting and blinking hard after sitting and staring for long hours on a computer or phone? If yes, you are not alone. Over the years, the time we spend on our gadgets has drastically increased and this tremendously also increased the strain on our eyes and eye muscles. We find ourselves suffering from blurred vision, dry eyes, itchy and watery eyes, headaches and much more. To overcome all this, yoga can serve as a great tool to improve the strength and functioning of all organs in the body, including our eyes, yes there is something like yoga for eyes.
This might sound funny or almost impossible since the main functionality of yoga is to stretch and make one’s body flexible. However, it has offered proven results for people with dry, itch, and tired eyes. So, splash some cold water, straighten your back, sit straight and get ready to try these five yoga for eyes asanas that will ease your eye strain, restore nerve strength and improve your vision.
Palming
The first yoga for eyes is Palming. Try this exercise to relax your eyes and help them recover from fatigue.
Instructions:
a. Sit with your spine straight and close your eyes.
b. Take a few deep breaths and try to relax and calm yourself.
c. Rub the palms of your hands strenuously, until they become warm. Now place your warm palms gently over your eyelids.
d. Stay in the same position, until the heat from the hands has been completely absorbed by your eyes.
e. Keep your eyes closed and then lower your hands.
f. Again, rub your palms and repeat the same process 4-5 times.
Blinking
This yoga for eyes will help to strengthen your optic nerves and is a great way to prevent dry eyes.
Instructions:
a. Start with your eyes open.
b. Blink around 10 times, as fast as you can.
c. Close your eyes and take deep breaths for 15- 20 seconds.
d. Repeat the same process for at least 3-5 times.
This exercise helps to relax your eye muscles and eyes, especially after a long day at work and continuously staring at screens.
Sideways View
Instructions:
a. Sit with your legs straight in front of the body.
b. Close the left fist and place it on the left knee, keeping your thumb pointing upwards.
c. Look at a point straight in front of your eye.
d. Keep your head fixed in this position.
e. While breathing out, focus your eyes on the left thumb.
f. While breathing in, focus your eyes at a point in front of your eye.
g. Repeat the same process with the right thumb.
h. Repeat the routine for at least 3-5 times.
Near and distant view
This movement helps to train the ciliary body, which adjusts the lens of the eye and improves the range and quality of our vision.
Instructions:
a. Sit in a relaxed and straight position, pick a point at a distance in front of your eye line and focus on it.
b. Extend your arm, and put your thumb right below the point of concentration.
c. Start shifting your focus between the tip of your thumb and the point, alternatively with a rhythm between near and distance vision.
d. Repeat the exercise 8-10 times.
Clockwork
This is a magical exercise for people who spend too much time on their phones and laptops. It restores nerve strength and improves focus.
Instructions:
a. Picture a clock in front of your eyes, and raise your eyeballs, up to 12 o’clock.
b. Hold the eyes still for a second, then lower the eyeballs to 6 o’clock.
c. Continue moving the eyeballs up and down 8-10 times, without blinking.
d. Your stare should be steady and relaxed.
e. Repeat with horizontal eye movements — from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock.
f. Continue moving the eyeballs 8-10 times, without blinking.
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These are the best and pretty easy yoga for eyes to keep your eyes safe and in sound working condition. Apart from these yoga asanas, do remember to give your eyes ample rest time.