Happy Tranquility Thursday, Overwhelmed Yogis.
Last week I shared the simple tech break of looking out the window and blinking 20 times for every 20 minutes on a screen. This week and next, I am offering eye drills that might help your movement — and should soothe your nervous system regardless.
Today’s tip is about peripheral vision, which can improve focus and balance.
A key principle in the 80-hour yoga neurology training I completed last year is test/retest.
So we’ll begin today’s exercise by testing your balance in the pose of your chose. If you want to skip this step and head straight for the peripheral vision activation, that’s absolutely fine. In the video I show a standing box/knee to chest to activate the hip flexor. (More instruction on that here.) A tree pose or a standing figure 4 would also work. Whatever you choose, try it on both sides.
Next, stand near a window, and gaze out into the distance as far as you can see. Take a few breaths. Begin to lift your arms slowly out to the sides and overhead, wiggling your fingers as you do so. Bring your arms forward enough that you can just barely make see your fingers in your peripheral visions. Continuing to wiggle the fingers, bring the arms down and back up again a couple of times.
After about 30 seconds to a minute, release your hands, and try the balance pose again.
Is your balance any better?
This doesn’t work for everyone (and it might help on some days and not others), but it’s fun to play around, and hopefully you feel a little calmer either way!
I’d love to hear the result of your test/retest in the comments.
Some news… I have gone ahead and turned on the paid option for The Overwhelmed Yogi. Don’t worry; my Movement Monday and Tranquility Thursday videos will continue to be free for everyone. Beginning in May, the paid tier will also get what I’m tentatively calling Serenity Sunday, a weekly follow-along class that can fit into a busy schedule: under 20 minutes.
My introductory special price is $5 a month or $50 a year.
I’d love your feedback, but I’m thinking of doing a theme for each month, and making the final week of the month a live session (with a recording available after). My first theme will be Yoga for Newbies, and I’ll likely make that two months because there’s a lot to cover! (After 25 years, I never tire of the basics, and if you’re a veteran, I think you’ll find the practices enjoyable as well.)
I’ve already filmed the first few videos and now am breathing through the technical challenges involved in editing longer footage! 😊
