A few decades back (during my school days), “Chasmish” was one of the most derogatory terms used to refer to a child wearing glasses. Deteriorating eye sight was considered to be one of the defining signs of aging, and hence, a subject of mockery in case the glasses made an early appearance in one’s life. But no longer. Today, in a stark contrast, most of the young children have glasses. There is nothing unusual about it. In fact, Defective Vision, and not the diseases of the eye, is more common amongst the masses today than ever. With long screen exposure, with eyes popping out all the time, whether forced (when one is supposed to work in the office for hours) or unforced (many love their time on laptop & phone), such derogatory comments have lost its ground. This has definitely defied the connection of ‘Aging’ with glasses.
The underlying causes of defective vision are excessive strain on the eyes due to it’s over usage and of course, mental tension. It can be agreed unanimously that both these causes have taken complete control over our life. The best way to prevent ‘Defective Vision’ is to work on its sources. But that might seem next to impossible in this fast paced technologically dominant scenario. However, practicing kriya and some eye movements, just for few minutes, anytime anywhere every day, may certainly be a feasible option to keep this problem in check, to bring great relief to your eyes and calmness to your mind.
Chakshu Dhauti
Chakshu = eyes and Dhauti =cleansing
This is as simple as bathing your eyes. Make sure your eyes are open during the process. The washing needs to be done with clean water. Water used can be tepid, lukewarm or saline. In fact, the sure way of doing it is to do it with lukewarm water while bathing.
Eye Squeezing
Close your eyes and then simply squeeze it as tightly as possibly, hold it for few seconds and then release. This can help maintain the level of moisture in your eyes. Do 10 rounds of it every half an hour when in constant exposure to the screen.
Palming
Sit with your eyes closed and facing the sun. Try to mentally feel the warmth of the sun on your eyes. Press your palms firmly against each other, rub it vigorously for some time to create heat and then softly place your cupped palms over your closed eyes. You can also choose to open your eyes inside your palms. This practice relaxes your eyes and rejuvenates them at the same time. And yes, if you are not able to expose yourself to the sun, do it indoor.
Eye Clocking
Sit comfortably. Assume that your face is a wall clock. Lock your eyes in between your eye brows (this is 12 noon) as we do in Shambhavi Mudra; start moving your eyes clock wise as if you are looking at 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock and so on until you reach 12 noon in the middle of your eyebrows. Hence, 3 o’clock will be the corner of the left eye, 6 o’clock the chin which you will not be able to see directly, 9 o’clock the corner of the right eye. Now move in the opposite direction starting from 12 noon which is in between your eyebrows to 11 o’clock, 10 o’clock, 9 o’clock and so on until you reach 12 noon in the middle of your eye brows again. Repeat 2-3 times.
Distant and Near Viewing
Choose a place from where you can identify a definite object really far in the distance. Sit comfortably. Look at the tip of your nose – Agochari Mudra and then take your vision to the definite object that you had selected at the far away distance. Move back to the tip of the nose and then again to the object. Repeat 10 times and close your eyes to relax.
Note
You might feel slight or shooting headache with some of the eye movements. It is only because your eyes are not used to those movements. Close your eyes for few seconds and you will be fine.
You need to set a reminder to remind you of this practice which will take just a few minutes. The above mentioned practices strengthen the eye muscles, increase the blood supply in that region and allow mental relaxation. A month of regular practice and you will see major improvement in your eye sight. You would also feel mental relaxation. Coax your kids into this practice as well as they need it more than ever.
For any query, write to “Ask Shammi” on www.shammisyogalaya.com For other blogs on related subject, check www.shammisyogalayablog.com
Shammi Gupta, founder of Shammi’s Yogalaya holds an MA in Yoga Shastra, is a certified Yogic Therapist and Naturopath, has completed an Advanced Yoga Course and holds a Diploma in Yoga Education from Mumbai University. She is a certified trainer from American College of Sports Medicine and holds an MBA in HR & MBA in Finance from The University of Akron, Ohio, USA. She conducts Health Awareness Workshops for Corporate, Yogasana Workshops for Athletes and Yoga Therapy Workshops on different medical issues for patients. Among the celebrities Shammi trains are eminent personalities from the film and television industry and corporate world.
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