nvi-eastern

[13.0] EASTERN APROACH

The eastern approach is from a different viewpoint to that of the west. In China students perform eye exercises twice a day, for about ten minutes, as do factory workers. As a result China has a much lower rate of myopia than the U.S.

[13.1] What are accupressure points for the eyes?

Acupressure is excellent for relieving eye strain and fatigue. You may find that these points are very tender if you are suffering eye fatigue or strain.

Technique: Form pressure, apply gradually and hold without movement for three minutes. One minute of steady pressure calms and relaxes. To stimulate an area, apply pressure for only four to five seconds. The pressure should be somewhere between firm and outright pain. The more developed the muscles the more pressure can be applied.

The points:

Drilling Bamboo. (B2) In the indentations outside the bridge of the nose on the inner edge of the eyebrows.

Four Whites. (St2) 1/2 an inch below the center of the lower eye ridge in an indentation of the cheek.

Facial Beauty (St3) At the bottom of the cheek bone directly in line with the pupil of the eye.

Heavenly Pillar. (B10) 1/2 inch below the base of the skull on the ropy muscles 1/2 inch outward from the spine.

Wind Mansion. (GV16) At the top of the spinal column in the large hollow under the base of the skull.

Third Eye Point. (GV24.5) Directly between the eyebrows, in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the forehead.

Bigger Rushing. (Lv3) On the top of the foot, in the webbing between the big toe and the second toe.

Exercises:

1) Press B2. Place your thumbs on the upper ridge of your eye sockets close to the bridge of the nose. Press upward into the indentations of the eye sockets as you breath deeeply for one minute.

2) Hold St & St3. Place your index fingers in the center of your cheeks below the lower ridge of the eyes, in line with the pupil. Then place your index fingers directly below your index fingers, underneath the cheekbones. With your eyes closed, apply light pressure and breathe deeply for a minute.

3) press B10. Curve your fingers to firmly press B10 on the ropy muscles that run parallel to the spine. Hold for one minute as you breath deeply.

4) Hold GV16 and GV24.5. Place the middle finger of your left hand on GV16 in the large hollow in the middle of the base of your skull. Use the middle finger og your right hand to lightly touch GV24.5 and focus your attention on that spot with your eyes closed. Breathe deeply as you hold this powerful healing point for one minute.

5) Stimulate Lv3. Slip your shoes off. Starting between your large and second toes on both feet, slide your middle and index fingers up the foot in the valley between the bones. Pres firmly into the indentation just before the bones join to form a V shape. Rub against the skin to stimulate these eyestrain relief points.

[13.2] Can accupuncture be used to relieve eye strain?

yes. In the eastern model, vision problems are symptoms of reduced liver and possibly kidney energy. The liver governs the free flow of energy through the body, the circulation of qi, the discharge of digestive bile, and anything that moves you emotionally. The liver governs the muscles and tendons and all anatomical movement. Acupuncture works better on fresh vision problems, patients who have been wearing glasses for many years respond poorly to treatment.

Do not perform acupuncture on yourself, consultant a professional acupuncturist. :)

[13.3] How do I meditate?

Meditation is about expanding the space between thoughts and experiencing the inner nature of mind that is found there.

Meditation is an excellent way to relax your mind deeply.

Sit comfortably and relaxed. You can sit in the lotus position if your agile enough, but for our purposes sitting on a chair will be fine.

Focus in on your breathing. Just pay attention to your breath, as it moves in and then out of your nostrils. Note to yourself each in breath by saying to yourself “in”, and each out breath by saying “out”. As thoughts arise and you find yourself getting diverted, gently bring your self back to just noticing you breathing, and noting each in and out breath. Dont try to force or control your breathing, just be an impartial observer. If a though arises just note it, dont cling to it, or associate with it, or chase it up and follow it. Allow yourself to just drop thoughts the same way, back into the stillness, they arose from. If a sensation arises just note it and let it go. If you find yourself drfiting off into conversation with yourself, just drop that too and return to noting your breaths.

Stay aware and mindful, meditation is not about drifting off to sleep, but about stilling the waves within your mental ocean.

[13.4] What eastern herbs are available?

Usually come as complex mixtures. Consult a Chinese herbalist for more details.

Xi Gan Ming Mu. Gardenia and Vitex combination. contains 19 herbs that benefit that dispel the “wind and heat” that produce eye disorders.

Zi Shen Ming Mu Tang. Chrystanthenum combination. tonifies qi and heals eye problems resulting from liver and kidney yin deficiency.

Ming Mu Shang Qing Pian. Bright Eyes Upper Clearing tablets. sedate liver fire that upsets the eyes.

Nei Zhang Ming Yan Wan. Inner Obstruction to Eyesight Pills. encourage visual clarity. Nourishes liver and kidney yin.

Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan. Dendrobium Leaf Night Sight Pills. Nourish qi and blood and tonify the liver and kidney. Aid blurry or dizzy sight, hypersensitivoty and intraoccular pressure.

Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, Bright Eyes Rehmannia Pills. replenish liver and kidney, nourish blood, sedate liver fire and wind.