Eye yoga exercises to relax, revitalize and strengthen your eyes

Eyes can often hold a lot of unnecessary tension and stress. Your “windows of soul” get tired and dry from constant strain and improper lighting. Try these exercises – they are easy to do and most of them can be performed any time of the day wherever you are. These exercises soothe and lubricate tired eyes, relax and tone eye muscles, and strengthen your focus. If you already have eye problems when you begin these exercises, you will find your eyesight improving after a few months of daily practice.

1. Sit erect in a comfortable position. Slowly move your eyes up and down, as far as you can, without moving the head or neck. Let your eyes see as far up and as far down as possible without causing strain. Repeat 10 times. Close your eyes and relax.

2. Next, slowly move your eyes from side to side, as far as you can, at eye level. Repeat 10 times. You will able to move your eyes farther and more easily with practice. Close your eyes and relax.

3. Keeping your head straight, look up to the top left-hand corner, then move your eyes across and down to the bottom right, then move them up to the top right-hand corner, and then across and down to the bottom left. Finish by moving your eyes back up to the top left. Repeat five times. Close your eyes and relax.

4. Look up to the position in the middle of your eyebrows. Hold for a few seconds and then move your gaze downwards, towards your nose.

5. Move your eyes slowly and effortlessly round in circles, alternating between clockwise and anti-clockwise motions. Repeat five times. Close your eyes and relax.

6. Hold your finger under the tip of your nose. Then start moving it away, without raising it, until you have fixed it at the closest possible distance where you can see it clearly. Then raise your eyes a little and look at a distant point on the horizon. Repeat five times. Close your eyes and relax.

7. Close your eyes as tightly as you possibly can. Hold this contraction for three seconds, and then let go quickly. This exercise causes a deep relaxation of the eye muscles, and is especially beneficial after the slight strain caused by the eye exercises. Repeatedly blink your eyes for about five times.

8. Rub your palms together and gently cup them over your closed eyes. Imagine the blackness getting darker and darker. Relax for a few minutes. It’s an ideal way to finish off the eye exercises. Palming also has a beneficial, relaxing effect on your nervous system.