Lord God, creator of all,
you have made us creatures of this earth
but have also promised us a share in life eternal:
receive our thanks and praise
that, through the passion and death of Christ,
your child
whom we commend into your hands today,
shares with your saints in the joy of heaven,
where there is neither sorrow nor pain
but life everlasting. Alleluia.
Amen.
Tears could not stop rolling down my cheeks, as I watched people carrying coffin of the woman I admired most from my school days. She had always been one of my favorite not only through out my school days but even till date. It was one of the most shattering scenarios of my life.
My tears stopped when father suddenly announced that Mrs. Caste llano will be immortal through her eyes, till all the planets revolve around the sun. Well, that was something my mind went out in search of. As the funeral ceremony winded up, I took my road to father’s chamber behind the church yard. He rested himself in arm chair, while continuous praying. I felt uncomfortable to disturb him but, the curiosity provoked me and I took a step forward. I kept my curiosity in front of him and waited for his reply, his reply was with a smile of hope “my child late Mrs. Caste llano will live forever in this world through her good deeds.” “ I said she will live eternally through eyes for she has donated her eyes.” I left as father signaled me for he had to pray.
But entire night the thoughts crippled my mind. Wasn’t it amazing, to live immortal and moreover it was god who gave us the sight but there are few who are not fortunate to get this blessing. But I guess, we can definitely share our blessing people. And the very next moment I decided to donate my eyes. But yes one thing was very definite whomsoever, my eyes will be donated, I wanted him or her to gift with healthy eyes. It was this night you can say, which rose to my conscious and made me realize my negligence towards my own eyes. How could I be so carefree? And even when I know that eyes require one third of oxygen as the heart.
I made my way to eye donation house but implying a strict restriction to myself “I am going to take care of my health and of my eyes.” When I had been to donate my eyes, I remembered the most beautiful lines by Alfred Tennyson “Eyes are the homes of silent prayers “. I somehow felt that I have got tiny place in god’s heart. And hence to abide by my promise I started working on taking care of own health and my eyes which I had to gift someone, and in any case that whenever he receives it , he should get in the best condition.
I started surfing on net and what I came through was really amazing. The power of yoga – it is a silent and peaceful way of curing and preventing the forth coming disease. Yoga is 99% practice and 1 % theory. But sooner or later yoga became a part of my daily lifestyle and now whenever I have to recommend someone for any kind of disease the first thing I tell them is about YOGA.
And, since “Eyes are the mirror of your soul“. Today I would like to share some secrets which will take care of your beautiful eyes. The easiest road to improve your eyesight is to keep yourself relaxed without any mental strain, but there are certain yoga exercises also. The yogasanas useful in improving eyesight are Surya Namaskar, Pranayama, Pawan Muktasana, jal neti amongst others. Specific exercises for the eyes include the use of a candle as an exercise, the pencil exercise, centrally fixing one’s gaze on a particular chart in yoga. Yoga applies a substantial role in encouraging eye health. Eye exercises through a yoga tone
The very first exercise for eyes through yoga is:
(1)
Step 1: First of all, you should sit upright keeping your eyes open.
Step 2: Look at a point straight to your nose in front of you and then look at a point on the floor, but do not move your head. Without moving your head, roll your eyes upwards and downwards at least four times. Blink your eyes rapidly after the completion of this exercise.
Step 3: Now roll your eyes sideways, i.e., left and right. Blink your eyes rapidly after this too.
Step 4: Now roll your eyes diagonally upwards and downwards. Blink your eyes rapidly again. Then close your eyes for sometime.
After one week of this exercise, roll your eyes in a circular way like, top, right, down, left, etc.
(2)
Step 1: Use points to your right and left, but at eye level.
Step 2: Keep your raised fingers or two pencils on either side as guides. Adjust them in such a way that that you can see them clearly when moving the eyes to the right and to the left. However, you must do this without straining.
Step 3: Keeping your fingers at eye level move only the eyes and look to the right at your chosen point. Then look to the left. Repeat this exercise four times. Blink a few times then close your eyes and rest your eyes for while.
(3)
Step 1: Select a point you can see from the right corner of your eyes when you raise them.
Step 2: Choose another one that you can see from the left corner of your eyes when you lower them, half closing your eyelids. Don’t forget to retain your original posture – spine erect, hands on your knees, head straight and motionless.
Step 3: Stare at your chosen point in the right corner up, then to the one in left corner down. Repeat this exercise four times. Blink several times, and then close the eyes and rest.
Step 4: Now do the same on the reverse side, i.e., first look to the left corner up, then to the right corner down. Repeat these four times, blink several times, and then close the eyes and rest.
Like we all know, that eye uses one third of oxygen and hence to improve eyesight you must correct your breathing technique as poor breathing impairs the function of the eyes.
- With the help of alternate breathing also known as nadi shodana and anulom viloma healthy eyes can be developed. This alternative method of breathing is achieved by blocking one side of the nostril and breathing in without speed and without apparent effort through the other nostril.
Once this technique has been mastered, move on to the process of cleansing.
- The method of jal neti or nasal cleansing with saline tepid water is thought to benefit the eyes in a positive manner. A regular and daily performance of jal neti every morning will strengthen the function of the eyes and help people to get rid of spectacles. I guess that’s an amazing exercise which will girls will love.
There are ample of times when my eyes get watery and especially when I plant myself in front of computer. Eyes tend to get watery when you stare computer screen or television for a longer time as they get dry.
- One quick method of avoiding watery eyes is to look away from the computer screen every twenty minutes or so, close your eyes and blink them rapidly. This ensures that your eyes get moistened and relaxed.
- Next rub your palms together and gently cup your closed eyes for about a minute. This technique can be performed whenever you are working at the computer for long stretches.
Even another problem that arises due to continuous staring to computer is they strain your eyes muscles and make them weak.
- Inverted postures such as the Sarvanga Asana (Shoulder Stand), the Sirsha Asana (Headstand) and the Hala Asana (Plow Posture) are especially beneficial as they allow blood to rush to the eyes and help to nourish the eye muscles.
- While lying down flat on your back in the Shava Asana (Corpse Pose) close your eyes tight for five seconds and then open them. Repeat this process six times.
The Sambhavi Mudra is an amazing Yoga exercise for strengthening the eyes and reducing eye strain.
- Focus at a point between your eyebrows with both eyes for a couple of seconds.
- Then slowly move your gaze down to the tip of your nose. Repeat this process six times.
These are some secrets that I have shared with you. Many times you feel good when people compliment your eyes but it feels good when people read your eyes clearly and share the same dream with you. Like G.K.Chesterton have said “There is a road from our the eye to heart that doesn’t go through the intellect “.
I will be grateful to yoga throughout my life; it is because of this exercises that I will be able to live and experience my dream ‘My Eyes is an ocean in which my dreams are reflected ‘.
