We use our eyes every day and yet, unless we develop an eye problem, infection or disease, we rarely consciously take care of them or exercise them. The eyes are no different from any other part of the body. To stay healthy, they also need to be exercised and relaxed. Common eye problems like short and long sightedness can be triggered by mental and emotional tension, the weakening of muscles due to prolonged TV and computer screen use.

Eye diseases on the other hand are due to changes in the eye itself and can be affected by toxin build-up in the body and a poor diet. Whichever you are suffering from, yogic exercises and practices can help detoxify and relax the mind and body and counteract the effects of eyestrain.We will start by washing the eyes and performing jalaneti to stimulate the nerves of the eyes and then two exercises to help relax the mind and body. If you are relaxed, the eyes will not get as strained.

EXERCISE 1

•  Fill a small bowl with clean, lukewarm water

•  Cup your hand, fill it with water and wash the right eye

•   Repeat with the other eye

•  This can be done several times a day or when your eyes are feeling tired.

•  Add one tsp of salt to half a litre of lukewarm water and fill the neti pot

•  Stand relaxed with your legs apart, bend forward and tilt your head to one side as shown. Keep breathing deeply, exhaling through the mouth

•  Place the nozzle of the neti pot in the nostril that is facing upwards and slowly pour water into it. The water will flow out through the other nostril

•  Straighten up, blow your nose gently to remove any mucous

•  Repeat with other nostril

•  Now close one nostril, and rapidly exhale 10-15 times through the other

•  Repeat with the other side.

EXERCISE 3

•  Sit in padmasan. Sit with your legs stretched out, your back straight. Bend one leg, place the ankle on the opposite thigh close to the groin. Bend the other leg and place the ankle on the thigh of the bent leg, close to the groin

•  Close your eyes and relax. Gently insert your thumbs in your ears and place the fingers on the head, as shown

•  Inhale deeply as you count one to five

•  Chant ‘hun’ as you slowly exhale through the mouth. Listen to the sound vibrations in your body and feel the head, eyes and face relax

•  Repeat three times.

EXERCISE 4

•  Rub the palms of both hands together till they feel warm

•  Place the palms over both eyes and feel the warmth spread from the palms to the eyes

•  Feel the eyes relaxing and focus for a minute on the soothing darkness

•  Hold the position until the warmth of the palms has been transferred to the eyes

•  Repeat three times.