Eye-openers
As I begin seeing more new places and new things (in addition to old friends) today's practice will be for the eyes. As discussed in the post on drishtis, the direction of the eyes can influence the mind and thoughts in general. A more physical asana practice can follow, but notice if anything changes because of the way in which you started your practice. Are you more grounded? More in your head? Did this cause strain or tension? Calm and release? I imagine there are different affects for everyone. This practice was a beautiful one for me, although it may not have as a profound affect for all. That's the yog, though. A highly fluid friend, for sure.
Eye-openers
This practice comes from a studio I go to in New Paltz, NY. It isn't exactly a standard and I haven't seen this exact step-by-step in other classes, so play with it to see what works. If, however, you feel strain in the eyes, take a break. You can pull eye muscles just like anything else.
- Make yourself very comfortable seated upright.
- Either closing your eyes or keeping them gently open, begin to breath deeply, focusing your gaze directly ahead.
- Continue for 1-2 minutes in this manner.
- On the next inhale, bring your gaze directly up, imaging that you are gazing at the crown of your head. Breath here for 2-3 breathes.
- On the next exhale, look down, imagining that you are looking at your navel. 2-3 breathes here.
- Bring the eyes to neutral for 2-3 breaths.
- Repeat directly to right and left, imagine that you are looking at your ears.
- Bring the eyes to neutral for 2-3 breaths.
- Inhale, bring the eyes back upward. Exhale,
- Inhale bring the eyes to “1 o’clock position” (if directly above was noon). Exhale.
- Inhale bring the eyes to 2 o’clock. Exhale.
- Continue this. When you get to the 4-8 o’clock positions, move eyes on the exhale, pausing on the inhale.
- At the 9 o’clock position (eyes directly to the left) resume moving eyes on an inhale, pausing on the exhale.
- When you get back to directly overhead (or “noon”) hold the breath on the inhale. Engage throat lock (Jalahandra Bandha)
- When you release, exhale eyes towards navel
- Bring eyes back to neutral
- Repeat steps 2 and 3