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All in the blink of an eye

TIRED EYES? Practise Chakshu mudras

The eyes are the windows to the soul. Beautiful, healthy eyes are a delight to look into. Though we are born with a particular shape of eye, by eating a healthy diet and drinking enough water we can all have clear, sparkling eyes. With changing lifestyles these days, most of us sit in front of the computer for hours and are unable to look at soothing expanses, especially in the city. Dry, itchy or fatigued eyes are can be attributed to our preoccupation with words — whether we write, read or type them.

Further, conscious eye movements impact different parts of the brain. The ancient rishis or researchers knew this and that is why they incorporated right and left body movement, pranayamas and techniques which include changing eye movements, to activate areas of the brain. Modern scientific research is also arriving at the same conclusion.

One of my students in the West remarked that NLP or Neuro Linguistic Programming also used some of the eye movements I had taught her to change brain patterns. It is fascinating to see how many systems are rediscovering these same principles in a context which is appropriate at that time. These chakshu mudras or eye mudras help direct energy through some pathways and remove any blocked prana.

Modern scientists like Dr. Francine Shapiro have also been doing research on this ancient technique known to the yogis but in a western context. She has used it in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.

Even when we sleep we go through a phase of REM or rapid eye movement that indicates dream and processing of memories. Various studies have shown that eye movement can affect and influence how we think and thereby be useful in problem solving. Researchers Grant and Spivey earlier looked at eye movement only as an indicator as to how we think. Now it is being taken one step further to make people move their eyes in ways so they can think and solve problems better.

New research also enables the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, where there is loss of memory, by testing the eyes for amyloid beta protein sediments. It is indeed fascinating to see the interconnectedness of our system and how one system can influence the other.

So we see by consciously exercising our eyes we can pave the way for physical, emotional and mental health.

Look up; then look down, without moving your neck. Do this three times. Look right and then left thrice. Now look up and down and right and left. Do this thrice. Now look up and hold the position for three breaths. Similarly hold each position for three breaths. Then blink your eyes rapidly and gently. Now go a bit faster. Do as many rounds as you are comfortable with and go faster and faster. Relax. Now rub your hands together till they are warm for a minute or two, and place them on your eyes. Feel the energy; then relax and soothe your eyes.

Now look at the centre of your eyebrows; then look down at the tip of your nose. Do this movement thrice. Now look up between your brows and hold this position for three deep breaths. Now down, at the tip of the nose, each for three breaths. Blink rapidly. Now start looking faster above, between the eyebrows and down, at tip of your nose. Pick up speed till you’ve done the exercise sufficient number of times. Then relax.

Again rub your hands and place them over eyes. This is referred to as palming. Now look right upwards and left downwards. Then left upwards and right downwards. Do this sequence three times. Now hold each position for three breaths. Blink rapidly and gently. Now do all positions fast picking up speed. Do palming.

There are many eye routines available. However, for now, you can do one or more of the above eye sequences. You can also independently use just the blinking and palming techniques to relax your eyes.

(Visit www.arkaya.net or e-mail maitreyi9@hotmail.com)

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