Yoga for eyes

“The eyes play a vital role, offering us a visual window on to the world. On a spiritual level, the eyes are often described as a 'window to the soul'.
   Healthy eyes are so important and they can often be taken for granted. Practising regular yogic eye exercises will produce clear, bright, youthful eyes, remove tension, refresh, rejuvenate and relax. These exercises will also help to delay the effects of time and help rectify minor ailments created by lazy muscles. This is very important as, in our modern world, so much time is spent looking in one direction (eg at a computer screen or television). This tightens the eye muscles reducing their flexibility. This lack of flexibility makes it difficult for the lens of the eye to focus on objects at different distances. And, when the eye muscles become tired, the eyes will quite naturally become less efficient.
   Tension around the eyes also has an affect on the brain, adding to stress and anxiety. Vision is said to occupy 40% of the brain's capacity. When the eyes rest and are closed, they immediately start to relax. It is therefore not surprising that when we spend all day reading, writing or looking at a computer screen, our whole body can feel exhausted. Reducing tension in the eye muscles can thus have a double benefit: reducing general levels of tension and helping to improve eyesight.

did you know?
The eyes can effect our mental health. People who are prone to depression often develop rigid eye muscles with the gaze becoming fixed in one direction. By increasing flexibility and the movement of the eyes, it might be possible to raise spirits and alleviate minor cases of non-clinical depression...”

Author Sue Fuller continues to give tips on diet for healthy eyes, as well as a series of exercises to increase the flexibility of the eye muscles and relax them.

SPECIAL READER OFFER

yoga 2 hear have released a CD and mp3 EYE YOGA as a class devised and narrated by Sue Fuller to strengthen, refresh, rejuvenate and relax the muscles of the eye. To receive a 20% discount on this class as a reader of Yoga & Health , go to www.yoga2hear.co.uk and enter the code EyesY&H1 at the checkout.