Relaxed Eyes See Better: Vision and the Mindbody Connection
by Elizabeth Abraham

Most people believe that vision cannot improve or, if it can, that learning to see more clearly without glasses is a matter of strengthening weak eye muscles and doing a strict regime of “eye exercises”. This is not so. First of all, if vision can deteriorate, it can also improve. And since vision is largely a result of the mind's interpretation of the images received by the eyes, a mechanical repetition of eye exercises is of little benefit. We need to re-establish the connection between our eyes and mind through relaxation and movement, and learn to develop healthy vision habits so that our whole visual system can function without tension once again.

The Bates Method of Better Eyesight

Much of the work done in the field of vision improvement in the Western world is based on the explorations of Dr. William Bates, an ophthalmologist who practiced in the United States in the 1920s. One of his most important discoveries was the role that the mind plays in vision. Bates found that how well people see is directly related to their mental, emotional, and physical state of well-being. When we are relaxed and use our eyes in the way they were designed to be used, we see better. This is completely contrary to the traditional view that vision cannot improve and that eyesight is purely a physiological phenomenon.

Only a small percentage of the population is born with defective sight. Seeing clearly is something that most of us learn to do in the first few years of life. Difficulty in seeing clearly is often a response to stress. Then, when objects that we are used to seeing clearly become blurry, we usually squint and try harder to see. It is frustrating and frightening not to be able to see clearly. Unfortunately, straining to see is the least helpful thing we can do. Bates developed many techniques to restore visual clarity, and recommended “palming” as an excellent activity to encourage the mind and eyes to relax. I suggest you read through the instructions below, take a few moments to notice how your eyes feel before you begin, then experiment with this very simple and effective technique.

Palming

• Lie down, or sit comfortably with your feet on the floor, your back straight, and your elbows elevated to shoulder height so that your hands come to your eyes rather than your head coming down to meet your hands. You can sit at a table or in a chair with your elbows on a pile of books or pillows, or on the floor with your back against a wall and your elbows on your bent knees.
• Rub your hands together until they are soft and warm.
• Close your eyes, then cup your hands slightly and cover your closed eyes with the cupped part of your hands. It is important not to press on the eyes. The idea is to nurture your eyes with the warmth and softness of your hands so that the muscles can let go.
• Notice your feet as they contact the floor, then move your attention slowly up your body from your feet to your ankles, lower legs, knees, thighs, groin, sitting bones, pelvis and hips, belly and lower back, ribs, mid and upper back, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands. Notice the support under your elbows, the softness of your hands around your eyes. Be aware of your neck, scalp, forehead, jaw, cheeks, and eyes.
• Bring your attention to your breathing. Notice how your breath comes in and goes out through your nostrils. Notice that as your breath comes in, your lungs expand and your belly, chest, ribs, and back expand. As you breathe out everything lets go like a balloon deflating. Stay with this awareness of the expansion and release created by each breath.
• Be aware of your breathing and of the sensations in your body without judging or wanting anything to change. Your mind and body will gradually relax with this focused awareness.
• Palm for at least 15 minutes morning and evening, and take time for mini palming breaks during your daily activities.

Reversing the fixated habits of visual tension takes patience and commitment. Little by little, as we relax, we are also able to release our stressful habits of thinking. As this happens, our eyes begin to let go of their holding habit and learn to function with ease and pleasure once again.

Elizabeth Abraham, founder of the Vision Education Centre in Toronto and co-founder of the Vision Educator Training Institute (www.visioneducators.com), has been teaching people to take care of their eyes since 1991. She uses a holistic approach which includes Movement Re-education and Focusing, as well as the Bates Method of Vision Education. Elizabeth can be reached at (416) 599-9202 or elizabeth@visioneducators.com to arrange for lessons and to register for workshops.