Training the eyes

In our culture, we train our body, we train skills, we even train mindfulness and more stable attention.

So why not train our eyes and our visual system? It seems to be – pardon the pun – a blind spot in our culture. And a big opportunity for future business. (Free business idea.)

I got into training my eyes and visual system in my twenties, first through Feldenkrais exercises and then through the Bates Method and especially the Janet Goodrich version.

Here is my journey in a nutshell: I first got glasses in my teens. Took a series of Feldenkrais classes in my mid-twenties. In one class, I was the only student and had done it regularly for a year or so, so my instructor decided to do something for the eyes. At some point during the class, I had a surge of very uncomfortable emotional energy, and it seems clearly connected with the eyes. I assume it was some sort of release.

Within a couple of weeks, I sat on my (antique!) glasses and they broke. I scheduled an appointment with an optometrist to see what eyeglass prescription I needed. She said: “your eyes are fine, you don’t need glasses”. I asked “does it happen that the eyes improve or heal themselves over time” and she said, “no, it can’t happen”. Although, obviously it did happen. I then got into the Bates Method and used that off and on for a while.

I don’t know if I can say much that’s not covered well by others. I find the Janet Goodrich exercises especially appealing and fun, more like playing than exercising. It seems helpful to explore any emotional issues that may be connected with vision problems and invite in healing for these.

And it seems obvious that we can train our eyes and visual system, similar to how we can train our body and mind in general.

Personally, I have just started to work on my vision more systematically with Vortex Healing and Living Inquiries. With Vortex Healing, I energize the visual system, clear conditioning contributing to poor eyesight, and explore and invite in healing for any emotional issues contributing to poor eyesight. I may also explore these issues with Living Inquiries.

My eyes are still pretty good, even if it’s been some years since I did the Bates Method regularly. I don’t need glasses. I see what I need to see. Although my vision is slightly fuzzy at a distance, and I notice that my vision goes a bit blurry when I am more fatigued.

Note: I should mention that it’s mostly the most common forms of blurry vision that can be helped by training our vision or sight. Some eye or sight problems obviously need other approaches, perhaps even surgery.

Initial notes…

• training the eyes
  • teens, near sighted, glasses
  • feldenkrais, eye exercises, big surge of discomfort, later sat on glasses, went to eye doctor, said I didn’t need glasses, asked if could improve over time, said no can’t happen
  • obvious can train eyes
    • janet goodrich etc.
      • favorite tools – eye circling, palming/sunning, distance/close, visualizing clear sight etc.
    • important to also explore emotional issues that may impact vision
  • surprised it’s not more part of mainstream culture
    • is simple, seems obvious, real-life impact
    • is a cultural blindspot
    • part of a Life 101 toolbox
  • now
    • is relatively good, don’t need glasses, not a problem in daily life, but not 100% clear at a distance
    • notice gets worse when extra fatigued
    • time to do more eye exercises
    • use my new tools to support my sight
    • e.g.
    • VH for the eyesight
      • energize, optimize, clear of conditioning etc. for the visual system + and anything impacting it
      • notice goes to the emotional discomfort connected with the eyes, into solar plexus, center of belly
  • …..