Step 1:

• Sit straight and raise your right arm to shoulder level.
• Now clench your fingers into a fist, keeping the thumb out and facing upwards. Keep the arm in line with your eyes and look at the thumb without blinking.
• Hold this posture for as long as you can.
• Now, move your arm towards your right but keep your eyes on the thumb. Don’t turn your face, however.
• Follow the thumb’s path with your eyes only. When you are not able to see the thumb any more, bring it back to the original position and close your eyes.
• Let your eyes rest for a minute. Repeat with the left hand. Do this two times for each hand.

Step 2:

• Raise your arm to eye level and again clench your fingers into a fist, keeping the thumb out and facing upwards. Now, bend your arm at the elbow, so that your thumb comes closer to your eyes in a vertical position.
• Keep your eyes fixed on the thumb and bring it close to your nose, till you feel a strain Then, return it to its original position slowly, still keeping your eyes fixed on it.
• Close your eyes for a minute. Repeat twice.

Other exercises

• Photo credit: Heartlightyoga.com

  Keep your face and neck absolutely straight. Open your eyes as wide as you can and rotate them clockwise and anti-clockwise direction very slowly. Repeat five times for each direction.
• Look at the tip of your nose. Your face and neck should stay straight and only your eyes should move. Then, close your eyes and let them rest for a minute. Open your eyes again and try to focus on the spot between your eyebrows. Again close your eyes and rest for a minute. Repeat twice.
• Open and shut your eyes, slowly at first and then in quick succession. Repeat 25–30 times and then close your eyes and allow them to rest for 2 minutes.
• Rub your palms together till they feel warm. Then place your palms on your eyes. When you stop feeling the warmth, remove palms.

Make your eye yoga regimen more effective...

• Walk barefoot on dew-laden grass early in the morning
• Fill your mouth with water and splash cold water on your eyes. Do this 3–5 times in a day
• Avoid maintaining too bright or too dark an ambience in your living room. While working, always ensure that the light source is behind you, ideally towards the left
• Always protect your eyes from dust, smoke and intense light

Hom eye care

• Add ½ cup water to triphala powder and mix well. Rinse your eyes well with this mix every morning.
• Soak 5 almonds in water overnight. In the morning, peel them and grind them coarsely with 5 daigi mirch. Chew well.
• Soak cotton pads in rosewater and place these pads over your eyes. Relax for 10 minutes.

Vitamin A – Prevents night blindness
Sources: Carrot, apricot, turnip, green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli.

Vitamin C – Reduces risk of glaucoma and macular degeneration
Sources: Orange, lemon, papaya, tomato, cantaloupe, strawberry, mango, broccoli

Vitamin E – Reduces risk of cataracts, it is also called the anti-ageing vitamin.
Sources: Almonds, sunflower seeds and oil, peanuts, vegetable oil, whole grains, sweet potatoes, wheat germ, mayonnaise

Times wellness workshop on ‘Eye problem’ at Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar on 31st August 2010 from 3.30 – 5 pm. All are cordially invited. For free registration call 011-23782765,23782031.

Photo credit: miamiamia