Eye Yoga: 7 Exercises to Promote Eye Health and Prevent Eye Strain

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Institutions, suggested the following tips to prevent eye strain and maintain healthy vision –

• Reduce screen time: Limit the amount of time spent in front of screens each day to give your eyes a good rest.
• Take Frequent Breaks: Instead of sitting for extended periods, take regular breaks to rest your eyes and relax your mind.
• Avoid dark lighting: Make sure you have enough lighting when reading or working to reduce the strain on your eyes.
• Avoid fluorescent lights: Fluorescent lights can be hard on the eyes and can weaken your vision over time.

Benefits of Yoga for your eye health

Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar said: “To combat eye strain and improve vision, incorporating Yoga into your daily routine can be immensely beneficial. Certain yoga positions can help protect your eyes from overesertion and fatigue, ensuring better eye health in the long run. He recommended the following Yoga asanas to promote eye health and prevent strain –

1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose): Stand tall with your big toes touching and heels together. Engage your abdominal muscles, relax your shoulders and back, and breathe deeply for 5-8 breaths while activating your leg muscles.
2. Padahastasana (Standing Forward Bend): Stand in Samasthithi, exhale, and gently bend the upper body, dropping the head while keeping the shoulders and neck relaxed. Place your palms on each side of your feet and, with practice, slowly stretch your knees, trying to touch your chest to your thighs. Hold this asana for a while.
3. Sirshasana (Headstand): Begin in Vajrasana. Place your elbows on the ground and interlace your palms. Place the crown of the head on the floor in front of your palms, using them as support. Walk your feet toward your head until your back straightens. Lift the left leg then lift the right leg and align it with the upper part of the body, using core strength and balance. Stay in this position for a comfortable time, joining your legs and pointing your toes on the floor.
4. Halasana (Plow Pose): Lie on your back with your palms on the floor next to you. Engage your abdominal muscles and lift your legs up to a 90-degree angle. Press the palms firmly into the ground and lower the legs behind the head. If necessary, support your lower part with your palms. Hold the position for a few breaths and hold for 15 to 20 seconds.
5. Chakrasana (Wheel Pose): Lying on your back. Place your hands on the ground next to your head and rotate your arms to your shoulders. Inhale deeply and lift your whole body in an arc, distributing your body weight evenly between your four limbs. Hold the position for 15 to 20 seconds.
6. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose): Lie on your stomach, inhale, and lift your arms and legs off the ground. Watch as you try to raise your arms and legs as high as possible. Hold the position for 15 to 20 seconds.
7. Desk Yoga: Chair yoga, which involves modifying Yoga poses to be performed at your desk, can also help reduce eye strain and improve overall posture. Simple poses like Tadasana, Samakonasana and Utkatasana can be easily incorporated into your workspace routine. Whether you work from home or in an office, take a few minutes every hour to stretch your body and relax your eyes to maintain your well-being and productivity.