All about eye yoga: does it really work?
We are sure you have heard about yoga and you may even practice it at home but have you heard about eye yoga? Funny enough, many people think yoga has to do with the mind and other body parts with the exclusion of the eyes. However, the eyes need yoga too to stay fit. Continue reading to know more.
We often stare at our computer and television screens for long periods and we don't look away for what seems like ages. In this day and age when smartphones are everywhere, they have replaced desktop computers, laptops and television screens. We know that the blue light coming out of these screens can cause eye strain which is why eye yoga has become popular in recent times.
But what is eye yoga?
Eye yoga is a vision practice that entails the exercising of the eyes so as to improve vision. By engaging eye yoga, the eye muscles are stimulated to enhance flexibility and increase strength. Eye yoga exercises can stop or reduce eye fatigue as well as soothe headaches caused by neck stiffness and tension caused by prolonged staring at screens.
For people who don't have the time to take breaks from work, eye yoga is highly recommended for them.
Can eye yoga improve vision?
Also called yogic exercises, eye yoga can improve your eyesight but this claim is still under dispute. However, we do know that practitioners have reported a relaxation of eye muscles when they do it regularly. Regular eye movements from side to side or eye-rolling can improve vision and treat dry eye symptoms. It also causes a decrease in eyestrain.
But this practice cannot correct serious visual conditions like farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. But the mere fact that it reduces eye strain makes it a healthy practice.
Can eye yoga reduce eye strain and symptoms of dry eyes?
Eye yoga can reduce eyestrain and treat dry eye symptoms and much more. Let us look at some of the conditions this regular practice can address.
1. Improve Eyesight
Eye yoga will improve your sight especially if you suffer from nearsightedness. Its ability to make you see clearer is enforced by the stimulating effect it has on your eye muscles.
2. Reduce eyestrain
Staring at your screen in one direction for a very long time can cause eyestrain as your eyes take in so much light. This can cause blurry vision. By regularly practicing eye yoga, you expose your eyes to natural lighting and also reduce tensions that cause headaches.
3. Correct dry eyes
Prolonged smartphone or computer use will cause your eyes to become dry. But by rotating your vision and performing actions such as blinking and sideways movement, your eyes will become teary again. But note that eye yoga cannot correct chronic dry eyes; you will need a doctor for that.
How to do a right eye yoga?
Performing regular eye yoga is easy and you can do it regularly from your sitting or standing position. Here are some ways to do eye yoga correctly.
1. Focus shifting
This one involves shifting your vision focus from one direction to another. It is done to improve your muscle strength. Here is how you do it.
Stick your left hand away from your body and raise your thumb.
Sit straight with your eyes looking ahead and focus on your thumb.
Now move your outstretched hand to the right and let your eyes follow the thumb.
Move to the left and follow the thumb as it moves.
Repeat the movement several times without moving your head.
2. Eye rolling
The next method is the eye-rolling practice. This one is also simple.
Sit on a chair with your back in a straight position or stand if you want.
Look at the ceiling and maintain a steady focus.
Roll your eyes until you are focused on the right.
Roll your eyes again and focus on the left.
Now, look to the center with a straight vision then take a deep breath.
Repeat the movement several times and rotate your eyes anti-clockwise this time.
3. Palming
There is yet another way to perform eye yoga in the comfort of your home or office. This method requires the use of your hands.
Rub your hands vigorously until they become warm.
Now place both hands over your eyes as if you were peeping into a hole.
Rest the tip of your fingers on your forehead but don’t let your palms touch your eyes. Rather they should be cupped an inch away and resting on your cheekbones.
Breathe in and out.
As you breathe in, clear your mind of any thoughts and just look into the darkness created by your palms cupped around your eyes.
Repeat the process several times.
Conclusion
Eye yoga is a healthy practice you should indulge in if you work with your computer or phone for hours daily. No matter how busy you may be, always take a pause to do any of the exercises explained above and you will see an improvement in your vision.
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