Yoga for headaches, eye problems and stiff neck pains part 3
Yoga for headaches, eye problems and stiff neck pains
I want you to imagine that your head is too heavy for your body and that no matter how you try to keep it squarely on your shoulders it always rolls away from the upright. Let your head drop forward until your chin is on your chest and then let it roll slowly clockwise several times, up to six. Then repeat the movements six times in the opposite direction. Be careful to watch the muscles of your back and shoulders and your facial muscles as these should be quite relaxed during this head rolling exercise. Keep your eyes open during this exercise and let them follow the direction of your head movements.
Do not be surprised if you hear a grinding and a cracking noise as your head rotates. This is an indication that the linings of the joints in your neck are inadequately lubricated and that there is an accumulation of calcium deposits there. This is a sure indication of your need to practise this exercise which will keep your upper spine flexible and healthy. The Yogis maintain that you are only as old as your spine and that by keeping the spine in a flexible, elastic and healthy condition you can ward off old age for longer than you think. It is worth a little trouble and exercise, is it not, to maintain one’s health? So practise this head rotating exercise whenever you have a quiet moment and can perform it inconspicuously.
All the stretching exercises I have described in this book, and particularly in chapter two can be performed in connection with exercising the eyes. The Backbend described in chapter four can be performed so that your eyes follow the movements of your head and are so exercised, and likewise in the Triangle Posture* described in chapter ten.
To try something new in this combination of stretching and eye movement, try the Sideways Bend. Stand erect with your hands on your head, your fingers laced .together. Keep your feet together and your knees straight. Now bend sideways from the waist only for as far as you can, remain thus for a few seconds and then move slowly to the other side. Your eye movements should follow the movements of your head but on no account should you experience any strain. If you do, please stop at once. Eye exercises should always be done very gently and with extreme caution. If there is any pain or watering please blink your eyes tightly and then relax.
And now for one last exercise to relieve eyestrain, which is also a good exercise in concentration and the calming of the mind. It is known as PALMING THE EYES.
1. You have a choice of two positions. For the young and flexible I would suggest you sit down on the floor, cross-legged and your spine held erect. Draw up your knees slightly so that you can place your palms over your eyes without bending your head at all. When you have a satisfactory seated position rub your palms together vigorously to charge them with electricity and place them over your closed eyes. There should be a cupped palm over each eye with the fingers of the right hand crossed over the fingers of the left or vice versa. The fingers should rest on the forehead and the elbows should rest on your raised knees. Do not bend your head.
The second seated position is for those who cannot sit cross-legged on the floor. Choose a hard chair before a table and sit with your elbows on the table in such a way that when you place your palms over your eyes you can do so without bending your head. You may have to use a book or two under your elbows to achieve this position. Having done so rub your palms together vigorously and then place them over your eyes in the position already described.
You can remain in this position for as long as you find convenient. It has the effect of relaxing the nerves and relieving eyestrain, but it can also be used for the purpose of practising concentration. While you are ‘palming’ your eyes choose a simple object such as a rose you have seen, a candle flame or some similar small thing and hold the image of it in your mind for as long as you can. When your thoughts stray lead them gently back to the object of your concentration.
You can also use this quiet period of ‘palming* the eyes to practise the Yoga Complete Breath. As your spine should be held straight throughout this exercise, without bending your head, it is a suitable position in which to practise deep breathing. Breathe in to a count of four, hold the breath to a count of four and exhale to a count of eight. Do this slowly and rhythmically and you will find that at the end of your exercise when you open your eyes you will find a new calmness that perhaps you have never known before.
Palming the Eyes is a simple exercise but perhaps it is the most valuable of all in the relief of eyestrain for, as I said at the beginning of this chapter, one of the primary causes of eyestrain is tension. Remove the one and the other automatically disappears. It would seem unnecessary to say that you should not read or do close sewing if your eyes are tired, nor should you read in bed with the book above the level of your eyes. The eyes should never be subjected to strain of any kind, and all possible care should be taken to protect them from this. They are precious and are deserving of your consideration.
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admin | November 8, 2007