Yoga for the Eyes and Nose

How I practice Eye Yoga:

Fortunately for me, I am in the habit of doing eye yoga during the day. I take a few moments as I sit in a comfortable position, breathing in my nose and out my mouth, making sure to let the air force in the back of the throat, the result of which ends up making an "ocean" noise, similar to waves crashing on the shore, all the while my eyes are closed.

I then open my eyes, and gently but intentionally move my eyes clockwise, envisioning a clock in front of me, making sure my eyes stretch to each point on the clock face. Once I get to twelve, I close my eyes, take a deep breath and upon releasing that breath, open my eyes, and start the same process, counter clock wise. I then close my eyes.

Taking in another deep breath and upon releasing that breath, I open my eyes and fixate on the horizon, dead ahead. I move my eyes first north, then back to the horizon and close my eyes. Deep inhale, and upon exhale, open my eyes and fixate on horizon dead ahead and then move my eyes south, then back to the horizon, and close my eyes. Deep inhale, and upon exhale, I open my eyes and fixate on the horizon dead ahead and then move my eyes east, then back to the horizon, and close my eyes. Deep inhale, and upon exhale, I open my eyes and fixate on the horizon dead ahead and then move my eyes west, then back to horizon, and close my eyes.

Taking in a deep breath and upon releasing that breath, I open my eyes and fixate on the horizon dead ahead. I then move my eyes north, taking a breath with eyes open and upon exhale, I move my eyes south, taking a breath I move my eyes back to the horizon and close them as I exhale. I repeat this method by taking a deep breath inhale, and upon exhaling, I open my eyes and fixate on the horizon dead ahead. I then move my eyes east, taking a breath with eyes open and upon exhale, I move my eyes west. Taking a deep inhale, and upon exhaling, I move my eyes back to the horizon and close them as I exhale.

With eyes closed, I then put my hands in "namaste" taking a deep breath inhale and upon exhale, I start to rub my hands together to generate warmth. Once my hands are comfortably and obviously warm, I press my palms to my closed eyes, gently, bathing my eyes in the warmth.

Doing this practice of eye yoga assists in keeping the retina strong and flexible, which is key for folks who have near-sightedness and stigmatism, since the eye is not perfectly round, and as it stretches to an oblongish shape to see, it puts undue strain on the optic nerve.

Yoga For the Sinuses:

Here is a great YouTube of a guy demonstrating with a neti pot. This is something I think I will get back into, as it's now allergy season, and I might make it a part of my evening bedtime rituals:




What is NOT shown is the mixing of sea salt and water (usually about 1/8th of a teaspoon of sea salt (non-iodized) to a full netipot full of tepid water. Dissolve it completely before irrigation. One must breathe through their mouth for this practice and should synchronize their inhales and exhales as the water runs from one nostril out the other. It should be repeated on the other nostril, despite the water moving from one to the other.

After the neti pot is emptied twice, once through each nostril, some down facing asanas (i.e. down facing dog) usually facilitate getting any residual water out of the nose.

This is a wonderful practice for people with dry sinuses, seasonal allergies, as well as those who frequent airline travel.

PEACE AND WAR
from The Wanderer, Kahlil Gibran, 1932

Three dogs were basking in the sun and conversing. The first dog said
dreamily, "It is indeed wondrous to be living in this day of dogdom.
Consider the ease with which we travel under the sea, upon the earth and
even in the sky. And meditate for a moment upon the inventions brought
forth for the comfort of dogs, even for our eyes and ears and noses."

And the second dog spoke and he said, "We are more heedful of the arts.
We bark at the moon more rhythmically than did our forefathers. And when
we gaze at ourselves in the water we see that our features are clearer
than the features of yesterday."

Then the third dog spoke and said, "But what interests me most and
beguiles my mind is the tranquil understanding existing between
dogdoms."

At that very moment they looked, and lo, the dog-catcher was
approaching.

The three dogs sprang up and scampered down the street; and as they ran
the third dog said, "For God's sake, run for your lives. Civilization is
after us."

Surya Namaskaram

It makes me peaceful just watching this... memorizing the movements... imagining my breathing if it were me doing these sun salutations...

Perfect For a Monday

Just My Size: Yoga

This came in the mail yesterday. I would have started it last night, but premiere episode of the sixth season of "The Shield" started last night, and I waited too long for it. Perhaps tonight I'll pop it in the DVD player and see how well it holds my attention and motivation.

A Rare Moment of Cuteness

Ganked... I mean "borrowed with cosmic, karmic appreciation" from: I Can Has Cheezburger?