Eye Yoga
You’re most likely familiar with the term Yoga, which encompasses exercises focusing on breath, flexibility, mindfulness, and strength in various postures or poses. So, what exactly is Eye Yoga, and how can it be a beneficial part of our exercise routine? Let’s take a deeper look.
What Is It?
Eye Yoga consists of exercises or movements that focus specifically on the muscles supporting the eye. These exercises are designed to help with better eye focus and give you a break from something you have been looking at for an extended time, such as a computer screen, phone, etc. Some common Eye Yoga exercises include palming, eye-rolling, focus shifting, and distance gazing. Yoga International has an informative guide for performing these exercises.
What Are the Benefits?
There has been mixed research on Eye Yoga and its specific benefits. Some claims have been made around the improvement of vision and various conditions. However, there has not been adequate research to prove these claims. On the other hand, there has been sufficient research and evidence supporting a few other benefits. First, Eye Yoga has been found to help with calming the body down as a stress management technique. Second, there has been research to show it helps with improved focus and possibly even with eye strain relief. Overall, at the very least, it can add a quick mental break to your day.
While practicing Eye Yoga may be a good addition to your routine, it does not take the place of routine eye care. You should still wear sunglasses when appropriate and take frequent breaks when working with screens. Remember the 20-20-20 rule is also a great practice to follow for preventing eye strain. This rule consists of looking at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of screen time. Most importantly, continue to follow up with your doctor and participate in routine eye exams.
Written by BWS Lead Health Coach- Kelly Schlather, BS, ASCM – CEP