The incredible impact of yoga for achieving eternal tranquility and wellbeing is something that has been shared for generations. Many of us have heard such stories since childhood. I’ve always been interested in natural healing, and my journey with yoga began only recently, despite this long-time curiosity.
From early on, I turned to Ayurveda and Unani medicine, especially when I started having skin problems like acne and rosacea. Using herbal masks and drinking various brews helped initially, but then I got hit by stubborn cystic acne in my twenties. It was then, after trying numerous dermatologist-prescribed medications to no avail, that I finally turned to yoga—and I haven’t looked back since!
As my regular morning yoga sessions began to clear up my skin, I began wondering if yoga could also help with another chronic issue I had dealt with since childhood—visual migraines, also known as ocular migraines. These aren’t just typical headaches; they come with an ‘aura,’ a temporary visual disturbance like silver flashes or zigzagging lines that can make it hard to see.
When an aura hits, there’s no quick fix. The best thing you can do is close your eyes and relax to lessen the severity. It’s crucial to block out any light as this can make a big difference in soothing the symptoms. These auras usually last from fifteen to forty-five minutes, and once they pass, they often leave behind a throbbing headache. Gentle head massages during this time can really help.
If you get migraines frequently, prevention is key. I’ve benefited a lot from specific eye yoga exercises that strengthen the eye muscles and cleanse the optic nerves, which also helps relax the eyes. There are many different eye exercises to choose from, so you can pick what works best for you.
One simple exercise I do involves focusing my gaze left and right. It’s easy and you can do it anywhere—on the bus, train, or during a break at school or work. My favorite exercise, though, combines the ‘Shavasana’ or corpse pose with an eye routine. I lie down in Shavasana for about five minutes with a cloth over my face to block out light. This not only relaxes my eyes but my whole body.
Give these yoga poses a try, and your eyes will thank you!