The eyes are not the largest organ of our body, but one of the most important in its significance. They open windows to the world for us, they are a “mirror of the soul,” connecting our optical perceptions with emotional experiences.
Eastern philosophy claims that poor vision is a consequence of blockage of energy flow or imbalance of Yin and Yang energies. Qigong is a technique that can help restore energy balance. With regular training, you can significantly eliminate vision problems.
The Qigong tradition dates back thousands of years and includes elements of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Therefore, there are different schools of qigong. The small circle of energy circulation and qigong exercises for the eyes presented in this article have their origins in Taoist teachings. They belong to the so-called quiet qigong, as they are based mainly on willpower, concentration and imagination.
To improve visual acuity and correct visual impairment, it is very important to first overcome the psychological threshold that exists in most cases and set yourself up for a calm, good mood and daily training.
Qigong has a place of honor in Chinese culture. Qi refers to vital energy, and the word “gong” is translated as work or method. As the sun rises, thousands of Chinese gather in parks across the country. Smooth and leisurely movements restore their inner harmony and balance.
The silent qigong technique presented in this article was given by master Zhi Changli. While still a six-year-old child, under the guidance of his grandfather, he mastered qigong, kung fu and tai chi chuan. The grandfather was also the owner of one of the largest pharmacies in Hoahot, and he gladly initiated the boy into the secrets of Chinese medicine. For twenty-one years, Master Zhi Changli worked as an acupuncturist and qigong instructor in Beijing. In 1988 he moved to Germany and has been teaching silent qigong in Munich ever since. Qigong exercises for the eyes are an important part of his method.
Almost all of the exercises are done while seated, so you won't need to be very flexible. Anyone can begin to perform them without special training.
Qigong does not require strength. This technique is based on deep inner peace. These are exactly the cases where you can achieve a lot through detachment and relaxation. You study as if you are doing nothing. Observing from the outside, it is impossible to tell whether you are just sitting around doing nothing or practicing qigong. Simply put, one can even argue that if you just sit and at the same time imagine (visualize) something, then this is already quiet qigong. Quiet Qigong attracts with the simplicity and clarity of its exercises, which are performed using the power of imagination. To improve vision using this technique, it is necessary to get rid of physical and mental tension, otherwise the flow of necessary energy will not arise in the body.
A person has energy channels that provide communication with the cosmos. If these channels are not blocked by anything, then the person is healthy. Silent qigong successfully maintains your energy level, strengthens the immune system and, due to this, creates the prerequisites for good vision. The goal of qigong is to improve the health of the body as a whole, but exercises to restore vision are aimed specifically at the eyes, around which important energy points are located.
Of course, the greatest success can be achieved with the integrated use of qigong techniques. To do this, you must first enter the state of qigong, that is, achieve mental and physical peace, and then gradually increase your energy potential with the help of a small circle of energy circulation, in order to subsequently purposefully move on to eye exercises. At the end of this material tips will be given that should be taken into account in Everyday life, for example when working at a computer or driving a car, to give your eyes the rest they need from time to time.
Jing, Qi, Shen - three jewels
The word “Qi” in Chinese culture denotes the dynamic force that controls all functions and processes in space, the human body, animals and flora. Qi is life energy. Shen is translated as spirit, and Jing is translated as essence. These three jewels are present in every living being. Life activity and development are based on them human body. Together with Yin and Yang energy, the five elements and energy channels, they form the basis of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong is closely related to Jing, Qi and Shen. It strengthens the body, gives strength to the mind and lengthens life.
It is not possible to give a certain linear description of Qi, as we are used to in the West, even if only by looking at the Chinese character that denotes Qi. In Japanese culture there is a similar concept of Ki, and in Indian culture - prana. Thus, throughout the eastern cultural space, traditional medicine is based on ideas about the flow of energy in a certain system. In China it is Qi and the meridian system; in Japan - Ki and the kairaku system, in India - prana and the nadis system.
Since human energy channels with their fine structure cannot yet be detected by conventional means modern science, they have not yet received widespread acceptance. However, acupuncture, also based on the meridian system, is already widely used in the West to treat allergies and drug addiction.
Qi is life. It is everywhere. When we eat, we absorb Qi into ourselves. Qi is inherited from our parents, and depending on the place of birth, vital energy will be different. With training and the power of imagination, Qi can be made even stronger.
Heaven, earth and man form a unity. A person can absorb and accumulate the Yang energy of heaven and the Yin energy of earth. The main store of energy is the so-called lower tan tien (brain in the stomach), which is located in the area of the pubic bone. The middle tan tien is located in the chest area at the level of the nipples and is responsible for our emotional world. The upper tan tien is placed between the eyebrows. It is also called the third eye, and it has enormous significance for us as the center of the soul. 
A person constantly gives away used energy and receives fresh energy. Three entrances are of particular importance: the gate of earth, the gate of man and the gate of heaven. The gate of the earth is located in the middle part of the foot behind the pads of the toes, the gate of man is in the middle part of the palm, and the gate of heaven is in the center of the cranial vault, on the crown of the head. Also of great importance is the Hui Yin point, or perineal point, which connects the gate of earth to the gate of heaven through the central channel.
Qigong is a holistic technique that allows you to bring the flow of Qi into harmony. From the point of view of qigong, disease is either a lack or excess of energy in the channels. Qigong exercises activate the healing processes occurring in the body. As a result of long and intense training, you can develop the ability to direct energy where it is most needed.
An important condition for practicing qigong is to achieve a state of qigong - calm, inner peace, good mood and relaxation. You should smile at least seven times a day and constantly imagine that, like tiny suns, all the pores of your skin (and you have eighty-four thousand of them!) are smiling. Your joints, organs, lower tan tien, middle tan tien and upper tan tien smile. A smile merges with good energy, spreads across the room, grows, embracing everything around, and reaches the limits of space.
Energy flows in the human body through energy channels. Quiet Qigong, as already mentioned, is based on the meridian system, which is also used in acupuncture. During an acupuncture session, needles are inserted into energy points to remove the blockage of the channels. In Quiet Qigong, such blockages are removed by influencing the flow of Qi through the power of imagination.
The yin meridian (zhen-mai, the servant's vessel) runs along the front surface of the human body, and the yang meridian (du-mai, the master's vessel) runs along the back, along the spine. They are called royal lines and are of great importance, connecting Yin and Yang.
There are six pairs of meridians (twelve in total) in our body, as well as eight special meridians.
There are three yin meridians on the inside of each arm, and three yang meridians on the outside. In the same way, there are three yin meridians on the inside of the legs, and three yang meridians on the outside.
The meridians end at the nail bed.
Thumb >> Yin Meridian >> Lungs
Index finger >> Yang meridian >> Large intestine
Middle finger >> Master of the heart, yin meridian >> Coronary vessels of the heart
Ring finger >> Three warmers >> Upper and lower body
Little finger >> Yin-Yang meridians >> Heart, small intestine
Meridians also end at the toes
Thumb >> Yin Meridian >> Spleen, Liver
Second finger >> Yang meridian >> Stomach
Fourth finger >> Yang meridian >> Gallbladder
Little finger >> Yang meridian >> Bladder
Midfoot >> Yin Meridian >> Kidneys
The eyes are also part of a complex system of meridians. In the area of each eye there are eight energy points associated with the meridians.
Based on materials from the book “Therapeutic Qigong for the Eyes” by Inka Yochum
There are several types of breathing.
1. Breathing with your lungs
2. Belly breathing
3. Anti-breathing with the stomach
4. Body breathing
Belly counterbreathing and body breathing are known only in Eastern culture.
When you breathe with your lungs, when you inhale, the costal arches rise, and when you exhale, they fall.
When you breathe with your belly, as you inhale, your stomach and even your lower back “expand,” and as you exhale, they return to their normal position. Thus, the wave of breathing spreads from the point of the perineum, expands the walls of the abdomen and lower back, and raises the ribs and collarbone.
As you exhale, the collarbone and ribs first lower, and then the walls of the abdomen and back slightly contract.
Belly counterbreathing does not need to be learned. It is worked out by itself during long-term qigong practice. In this case, the breathing wave goes in the opposite direction. As you inhale, the abdominal wall and lower back contract, as if a stream of air is pulling them inward.
Breathing with the body is based on breathing and counterbreathing with the stomach, as well as the idea that with each inhalation, all pores absorb fresh Qi of the cosmos.
Belly breathing exercise
This exercise can be done sitting or lying down. Place both hands on your lower abdomen with your thumbs almost touching below your belly button.
Breathe calmly through your nose. Feel how, as you inhale, the abdominal wall rises under your palms. Feel it descend as you exhale. Continue breathing, first counting your breaths to twenty-one, and then counting them back.
Execution option
Place one hand on the lower tan tien so that the little finger is on the pubic bone, and the second on the back - exactly opposite. Feel how, as you inhale, it’s as if a balloon is inflating between your palms, and as you exhale, it falls.
Belly breathing is the basis of qigong. However, during the exercises using this method, no special attention is paid to it, since the thought is completely concentrated on the imagination. Breathing improves on its own with regular exercise.
Small circle of energy circulation
The small circle of energy circulation, or small heavenly circle, is one of the fundamental exercises in Taoism. In China, there are Qigong schools that practice only the small celestial circle daily to achieve health and mastery in consciously controlling the flow of Qi. From this we can conclude what importance is attached to this exercise.
The small celestial circle connects the large royal lines mentioned in the previous chapter - the yang meridian du mai passing from the back and the yin meridian zhen mai passing along the front surface of the body. Before starting the exercise, you should try to visualize a path on the skin connecting nine points of a small circle. With long-term training, this path will then turn into a wide street, and then into a freeway. It will expand and even gain depth. Often a line connecting nine points of a small celestial circle, represented as a luminous stripe. The flow of Qi is directed along it by the power of imagination.
Don't be surprised if you find yourself distracted by other thoughts at first. This is fine. In Tibetan culture, this phenomenon is called “taming the monkey spirit.” Another difficulty that may arise at the beginning of training is the feeling of fatigue. It is possible that you will even fall asleep. Don't worry about it. With long and intense training, your will and concentration will become stronger, and the flow of Qi will increase. Tibetan Buddhists advise: if you are overcome by anxiety and extraneous thoughts creep into your head, exercise with your eyes closed. If you feel yourself falling asleep, open your eyes and look up.
As in any endeavor, you will have to try hard at first to achieve the state of qigong, that is, to find inner peace, tranquility, relaxation and good mood. To make this easier, smile at least seven times a day. Thanks to a smile, Qi energy circulates better through energy channels, and existing blockages are removed.
Qi must obey you. The small celestial circle saturates us with vital energy, so it is better to train in the morning, since in the evenings after doing exercises people with sensitive nervous system have trouble falling asleep. True, over many years of work I have met many people who practice small circles before bed. In this case, the seven final exercises are simply not performed.
In principle, the small celestial circle can be performed anywhere - in the subway, riding a bicycle, in a car, and even on an airplane. The exercise does not require any special equipment. You simply relax the upper tan tien (third eye), lower your eyelids a little (this relaxes the head area) and slightly raise the corners of your mouth (this relieves tension in the neck and chest). The tongue should be adjacent to the base of the upper teeth. This connects the Yin and Yang meridians, Du-Mai and Zhen-Mai. However, the main focus should be on the lower tan tien.
With this exercise, you can recharge your batteries while waiting for the train or bus, and face any challenges in life with calm. Master Zhi Changli recommends, for example, while sitting in front of the TV, concentrating on the lower tan tien and entering the state of qigong in order to avoid the harmful effects of television.
You can practice the small celestial circle while sitting on a chair, in a yoga pose, kneeling or lying down. Master Zhi Changli recommends starting with this exercise while sitting on a chair. In this case, you can lean against the back, since the main condition correct execution a small circle means convenience and good mood. Only if you maintain silence, peace and complete relaxation can you feel the flow of energy.
Qigong state
Sit on a chair and relax. You can lean against the back. If possible, the upper body should be at right angles to the hips. Both feet should be on the floor. If you can't reach the floor, you can place a blanket under your feet. The feet are parallel to each other and hip-width apart.
Place your hands on your hips, palms up. Try to “grab” the floor with your toes three times. This opens a beating key connected to the kidney meridian. Then pay attention to the area of the bridge of the nose - the upper tan tien. Imagine that the veil is dissipating in front of you, and the fresh breath of the breeze is blowing across your forehead. Lower your eyelids a little (due to this, all the muscles of the head relax). Lift the corners of your lips slightly (this relaxes the chest area). A slight smile should appear on your face. It spreads throughout the body, flowing from all pores, joints, bones, muscles, organs. The tongue is located at the base of the upper teeth, but depending on the strength of the Qi flow, it may move down. Breathing is not controlled, but it should be slow and calm, nasal, although the mouth is slightly open. Now focus your attention on individual points of the small celestial circle and mentally connect them.
Nine points of a small circle
1. Lower Dan-Tian (Xia Dan-Tian)
Concentrate your attention on the lower tan-tian - the main energy store in the lower abdomen. He is in the middle between heaven and earth. This is where the main reservoir of power is located.
2. Perineum point (hui-yin)
The perineal point is located behind the genitals in front of the anus. The axis of the central canal leading to the parietal point originates here. Through this point a person connects with the Yin of the earth and accumulates energy in the lower reservoir. To better feel the perineal point, with each inhalation, try to pull the anus to the lower tan tien, hold your breath for a while, and “release” it when you exhale.
3. Coccyx point (wei-liu)
It is located at the end of the coccyx and plays a significant role in the passage of Yang energy in men and women. If this point is not open, then women experience pain in the lower abdomen, and men may experience the problem of impotence or premature ejaculation.
4. Gate of life (min-men)
The gate of life is located in the kidney area exactly opposite the navel. The name itself speaks volumes about the importance of this point.
5. Thoracic vertebra point (yes-chew)
Located between the first and second thoracic vertebrae. If there is no obstruction in this part of the channel, then your shoulders will never experience tension.
6. Jade pillow (mi-dem)
The jade cushion (or iron gate) is located at the back of the head where the two occipital bones meet.
Focus your attention on the lower tan tien and start the exercise over again (repeat at least six times).
If you do a small celestial circle during menstruation or pregnancy (with your doctor’s permission), then you need to start and end it on the middle tan-tian.
Now you can start pressing on the eight points of the eye, which will be discussed below. After performing this procedure three times (at least) the points of the eye are recharged with Qi energy.
Eight points of the eye
In traditional Chinese medicine, the eyes are connected to the liver by meridians. Toxins accumulated in the liver are eliminated through the eyes. The connection between the liver and the eyes may seem surprising, but just remember patients with jaundice. They show signs of illness - “in front of our eyes”.
Don't be surprised if you start to cry while doing qigong exercises. This is a sign of self-cleaning of the eyes, which indicates their ability to self-heal.
As already mentioned, there are eight points around each eye that can be used to improve vision. They can be massaged different ways to increase the flow of Qi when there is a deficiency or reduce the flow when there is an excess.
Eye point massage
There are three ways to massage the eye points. However, the massage is always performed with the index or middle finger (preferably the middle finger, since it is in direct connection with the master of the heart and has a deeper impact on the points).
1. Press on the points, gradually increasing the force.
2. Make circular movements with your finger in three counts, as in a waltz. On the first count the pressure is weak, on the second and third it increases. Movements can be made both clockwise and counterclockwise, or even better - in both directions.
3. Make circular movements for three counts, first pressing hard, and then less and less.
Massage
Sit up straight, relax. Place your elbows on your hips (or table). Lower your head onto your straightened fingers. Massage both eyes at the same time. Press the points at a rhythm that is comfortable for you.
Point 1. Located at the inner edge of the eye next to the bridge of the nose (bladder meridian).
Point 2. Located slightly away from the pupil on the frontal bone (bladder meridian).
Point 3. Located almost above the pupil on the frontal bone (gallbladder meridian).
Point 4. Located closer to the outer edge of the eye on the frontal bone (three heaters).
Point 5. Located at the outer edge of the eye closer to the temple (gallbladder meridian).
Point 6. Located closer to the outer edge of the eye on the cheekbone.
Point 7. Located almost under the pupil on the same vertical line with point 3 on the zygomatic bone (stomach meridian).
Point 8. Located approximately one centimeter below point 7.
Qi saturation
Increasing the length of the eyeball
Hold your left palm in front of your right eye and place your right palm on the back of your head below the jade pillow. Try to feel the connection between both palms (lao gong points). Imagine that you are stretching and lengthening the eyeball. Now switch hands.
Myopia
The reason for myopia is that the eyeball for some reason has become too long. Light rays from distant objects, after refraction in the cornea and lens, are focused without reaching the retina. Therefore, nearsighted people see well near, but distinguish distant objects much worse.
Massage
Sit up straight, relax. Place your elbows on your hips (or table). Lower your head onto your straightened fingers. Massage both eyes at the same time. Press the points at a rhythm that is comfortable for you. The same points are massaged as for farsightedness, but in the reverse order.
Point 1. Located on the cheek one centimeter from point 2.
Point 2. Located almost under the pupil on the zygomatic bone (stomach meridian).
Point 3. Located closer to the outer edge of the eye on the zygomatic bone.
Point 4. Located at the outer edge of the eye closer to the temple (gallbladder meridian).
Point 5. Located closer to the outer edge of the eye on the frontal bone (three heaters).
Point 6. Located almost directly above the pupil on the frontal bone (gallbladder meridian).
Point 7. Located slightly away from the pupil on the frontal bone (bladder meridian).
Point 8. Located at the inner edge of the eye next to the bridge of the nose (bladder meridian).
Then start again from the first point. Each of the eight points should be massaged at least three times.
Qi saturation
Connect your thumb, ring finger and little finger. Index and middle fingers aim at eight points at a distance of two centimeters. Imagine how Qi from the lower tan tien passes through your hands to your fingertips and how with every inhalation you perceive the Qi energy from the surrounding space with all your pores (breathing with your body). Do this procedure at least three times.
Reducing the length of the eyeball
Hold your left palm in front of your right eye and place your right palm on the back of your head below the jade pillow. Try to feel the connection between both palms (Lo Gong points). Imagine that you are squeezing and shortening the eyeball.
Now switch hands.
Hold your right palm in front of your left eye and place your left palm on the back of your head below the jade pillow. Do the same as in the first case. Then do the seven final exercises.
Seven final exercises
The final exercises once again activate all meridians, since during training Qi accumulates in the hands. Therefore, every time after performing a small celestial circle, you must close both eyes with your palms for at least two to three minutes. It is best to place your elbows on your hips and rest your head on your palms. You can stay in this position as long as you like.
1. Rubbing palms
Lightly rubbing your palms together, pay attention to the sensations that arise in them. Occasionally run your middle finger along the back of each hand to prevent wrist blockage.
2. Stroking the face and neck
Rub both palms over your face from top to bottom, imagining that you are smoothing out wrinkles. Don't forget about your neck. There are many end points of meridians concentrated on the face, to which Qi energy is thus imparted.
3. Stroking the head
Using your fingertips, move from the hairline on the forehead through the crown of the head behind the jade pillow, and then from the hairline at the temples to the jade pillow. Many meridians also end here, which are thus fueled by Qi energy.
4. Tapping the head area
Bring your fingers together, pressing your thumb against your index finger, and tap them lightly on the head in the area of the jade cushion. This allows the gate of heaven (the parietal point) to be opened wider to draw in more celestial Yang energy.
5. Ear massage
Using your fingertips, intensively massage your earlobes, the upper and middle edges of the auricle, its inner surface and back. In traditional Chinese medicine, the auricle is associated with the fetus. Due to this massage, all points associated with various organs of the body are saturated with Qi energy.
6. Massage of the thoracic vertebrae
Rub the index and middle fingers of your left hand over the area between the first and second thoracic vertebrae. The elbow should be moved to the side and back as far as possible. Since the aging process begins in the neck, and it, as a rule, is not sufficiently supplied with blood, it is recommended that before massaging the vertebrae, intensively rub the entire area of the neck and back of the head up to the jade pillow.
7. “The crane drinks water”
Draw oval shapes with your chin in a vertical plane. Such rotation is, as it were, a repetition of the small celestial circle. When the chin is at the top, we establish a connection with the parietal point, and when at the bottom, with the perineal point.
How to open your eyes
When waking up in the morning, do not try to immediately focus your eyes on something (for example, on an alarm clock). Imagine that you are looking into the distance of the sea, and only then slowly adjust your vision to recognize the clear contours of objects.
Qigong state
Get into a qigong state as often as possible. Take breaks from work and other daily activities. More often you are in a relaxed and joyful mood. Focus your attention on the lower dan tie to enter the state of qigong. Due to this, tension is relieved in all parts of the body.
Notice the green around you more often
Look at green objects several times a day. Green color soothes the eyes and relieves tension.
Take a walk in the fresh air
Eyes need light. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take a walk of at least an hour every day to ensure your eyes required quantity Sveta.
Solar shower
Let sunlight into your body through closed eyelids as often as possible. Once you get used to it, you will be able to do this with your eyes open.
Eye exercises
Close your eyes and “look” first at the upper left and upper right corners, and then at the lower left and lower right.
Close your eyes and make circular movements with them, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. This exercise can be combined with warm water baths for the eyes. Close your eyes and “look” up, as if you want to get a better look at the back of your head or even your spine.
Liver sound SY
The eyes are connected to the liver by meridians. In Chinese medicine, there is a series of exercises called the Six Healing Sounds. Six special sounds combined with movements revitalize and activate various organs of the body. This sound for the liver is SY. The lips are stretched and slightly parted, as if you were holding a piece of paper in your mouth. The tongue is flat, its edges are slightly raised. The SY sound occurs on exhalation. At this time, you should imagine how the used Chi energy rises from the big toes, along the inner thighs, through the groin area and out through the eyes. If your eyes water, this is a clear sign of cleansing.
Eye relaxation exercise
Look ahead. Imagine that your eyes are glass balls lying quietly in the eye sockets. The gaze is motionless. After taking a few deep breaths, focus your attention on the highest point in your field of vision, then the lowest, left, and right. Make sure that the “glass balls” do not move during the exercise.
Body relaxation exercise
Lie on your back, relax, slightly spread your toes to the sides. Try not to arch at the lower back. Breathe deeply and freely. Place your right hand on the middle tan tien and your left hand on the lower one. Relax your lower chest. Breathe slowly through your nose.
Imagine the air as white light. Feel how the wave of breath moves up from the lower tan tien as you inhale, and descends as you exhale. Count to twenty-one breaths, and then count back.
Based on materials from the book “Therapeutic Qigong for the Eyes” by Inka Yochum
No tags
Entry: Therapeutic qigong exercises for the eyes - part 2
posted March 23, 2010 at 05:24 pm and is in , |
Copying permitted ONLY WITH ACTIVE LINK:
And how could it be otherwise with such strain on the eyes as modern man? In order not to exhaust the resource of the eyes ahead of schedule, let’s turn for help to qigong therapy, an ancient Chinese healing system.
We spend hours on end staring at television screens and computer monitors, straining our eyes on congested highways, reading in shaking vehicles or lying in bed in poor lighting. Is it any wonder that over the years...
Let's try to resort to qigong therapy, the traditional Chinese art of self-regulation of the body with the help of qi energy, thanks to which all life processes are carried out. This healing system includes meditation practice and gymnastic exercises, performed at an extremely slow pace and very smoothly. Thanks to deep relaxation, it helps to free yourself from bodily tensions that interfere with the free flow of qi.
To perform these exercises, no special conditions are required, so you can devote any free five minutes to them. Best time for them - the second half of the day, when the eyes are already quite tired and need rest. In order for these exercises to bring tangible benefits, they need to be done regularly.
Eye exercises include three stages: relaxation of the body, facial muscles and eyes; eye muscle training; directing qi energy to the eyes to improve vision.
Before starting exercises, it is important to calm your mind and even out your breathing.
Sit on a chair or armchair as comfortably as possible and relax. Try to discard all extraneous thoughts and focus on breathing. Breathe evenly and deeply, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
1. Blink your eyes frequently for one to two minutes.
2. Place your palms on your forehead and make a few movements down to your chin, as if you were washing your face. At this time, imagine that you are washing away fatigue and “bad energy”. Do this exercise 10 times. Having finished it, do not rush to open your eyes. Sitting with your eyes closed, focus your inner gaze on the eyeballs and the vessels that feed them. Open your eyes slowly.
3. Warm up your palms thoroughly by rubbing them against each other, fold them into boats and hold them in front of your eyes, without touching your eyelids, as if warming your eyes with the warmth of your palms.
4. With your eyelids closed, rotate your eyes clockwise 20 times, and the same amount counterclockwise; then - 20 times horizontally and the same amount vertically.
5. Repeat the previous exercise, but with your eyes open.
6. Focus your gaze on the tip of your nose, and then move it to some object located two or three meters away from you, then to a distant object somewhere near the horizon. Repeat 20 times.
7. Using the pads of three fingers - index, middle and ring - very, very lightly press on closed eyelids 8-10 times. Do it with both hands at once.
8. Finally, squeeze your eyes very, very hard five times without opening your eyelids.
China is famous not only for its human and natural resources, the Great Wall of China, various styles of martial arts, but also original system self-regulation and human health – Qigong. The Chinese have been using Qigong for centuries to maintain the body and mental health, as well as self-improvement and spiritual awakening.
According to traditional Chinese ideas, the existence of the human body is based on a special vital energy - “qi”. Chi energy, like blood and fluid, circulates in the human body through special energy channels. Each energy channel contains many biologically active points through which vital energy is exchanged between the environment and the human body.
Masters of traditional Chinese medicine claim that diseases are the result of blockage of energy channels when the normal circulation of qi is disrupted. With the help of special exercises, acupuncture and massage of biologically active points, it is possible to achieve “resorption” of energy blood clots and, as a result, cure the disease.
The Qigong system is precisely the art of controlling the circulation of vital energy. Of course, for us, brought up on Western views on human life, Qigong may seem like a pseudoscience and an anachronism. But there is numerous evidence of the effectiveness of this system in the prevention and treatment of many diseases of both body and spirit.
By the way, the world-famous Wushu masters from the Shaolin Monastery, precisely thanks to the use of Qigong in their training, acquire almost supernatural fighting abilities (multiple increases in the force of blows and combat grips, resistance to strangulation, an exorbitant threshold of sensitivity to blows, including piercing weapons, etc. .).
In the rich arsenal of Qigong techniques, there are also those that help improve vision and prevent visual diseases. The most accessible for people who are far from Chinese traditional teachings are eye gymnastics and massage of biologically active points around the eyes.
Qigong eye massage
Before starting the massage, you need to do a little preparation of the body and hands. First of all, you need to rest a little, step away from the hustle and bustle of the day, take a deep breath and take a long exhale with relaxation. Next, you need to rub your palms against one another until you feel the appearance of warmth in them from the flow of blood. You can also prepare each finger individually for massage by rubbing their lateral surfaces. Now let's do the massage itself.
First, use the tips of two fingers (index and middle) to lightly press 8 times on the eyeballs. The force of impact should be such as not to cause pain.
We act on the symmetrical points simultaneously, and press on point 7, located between the eyebrows, with the index finger of the left hand.
After this, using pinching movements of three fingers (thumb, index and middle), we walk along the eyebrows from the center outward. We do this 8 times.
After the massage, you can move on to doing eye exercises.
Qigong eye exercises
These exercises train the accommodative ability of the eyes and eye muscles, increase blood flow in the eye, help prevent and treat accommodation disorders and asthenopia (eye fatigue).
You can perform these exercises immediately after the massage or separately at any time convenient for you. Often the most convenient time for eye gymnastics is before going to bed, lying in bed, when you are no longer overwhelmed by the worries of the day and when your eyes no longer need to work.
Important note: you need to do this eye gymnastics every day. Only in this case will it give the desired effect.
Exercise 1. We close our eyes and rotate them under the eyelids with maximum amplitude. We do 18 rotations counterclockwise and clockwise.
Exercise 2. We move our eyes left and right with our eyes closed. We do this 18 times, counting the movement of the eyes back and forth at a time.
Exercise 3. Without moving your head, move your eyes under closed eyelids up and down (18 times).
Exercise 4. We train accommodation: we look at the tip of the finger, located about 30 centimeters from the eyes, and then we move our eyes to infinity (to an object located far away). After this, we look at the finger again, then at infinity, etc... We do this 36 times.
After completing this set of exercises, you can sit for another 3-5 minutes with your eyes closed (or immediately fall asleep if you are in bed).
To avoid mistakes when performing massage or gymnastics, watch this video:
Eye massage and eye gymnastics can be done separately. But when performed together, their effect will be stronger.
Qigong is the art of managing energy, which originated 5–7 thousand years ago in China. It is a set of health exercises, including breathing exercises and meditation techniques. Their use is usually accompanied by acupressure.
What is the essence of Qigong practice?
To define the essence of the concept of Qigong, it is necessary to first decompose this word into two syllables “qi” and “gong”, the meaning of which is energy and work, respectively. Consequently, the concept itself means “working with energy.”
The essence of this practice is to perform certain exercises.
Important! In this case, special attention is paid to proper breathing to saturate the body muscles with oxygen and positive energy.
The result should be a person’s complete concentration on his body. The benefit of such gymnastics is that in addition to solving problems with vision, it helps to improve a person’s general mood and condition, including eliminating insomnia and negative thoughts, and developing intuition. 
Contraindications
There are a number of constant contraindications for practicing Chinese gymnastics:
- Disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Neuroinfections.
- Blood diseases.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Malignant tumor.
- Heart diseases, namely:
- arrhythmia;
- tachycardia;
- aortic aneurysm;
- myocardial dystrophy.
In addition, there are a number of temporary contraindications for practicing Qigong, these include:
- prolonged exposure of a person to the sun or frost;
- binge eating;
- constant use of medications;
- stay in the sauna, as well as the next 4 hours after bath procedures;
- physical fatigue;
- exacerbation chronic diseases, postoperative period.
General rules of classes
There is a set of exercises for the eyes, which involves performing general rules, such as:
- Complete relaxation in general, and facial muscles in particular, as well as correct body position.
- Directing Chi energy to the eyes using a special breathing technique.
- Eye muscle training combined with internal work consciousness.
Eye massage
Before starting the massage, you need to do a light warm-up of the body and upper limbs. It should be accompanied by deep inhalation and exhalation for relaxation. Then rub your palms to increase blood flow.
Did you know? There is only one part of the human body that is not supplied with oxygen through the circulatory system, and this is the cornea of the eye. Her cells receive oxygen dissolved in tears from the air.
Now you can proceed directly to the eye massage itself. So, first, close your eyes and press 8 times on the eyeball with the tips of your index and middle fingers. In this case, you should not cause pain. 
Then, using the same fingers, we apply symmetrical pressure 8 times on the following areas of the face:
- Inner corner of the eye.
- The upper part of the brow ridge.
- Middle of the eyebrow.
- End of the eyebrow.
- Outer corner of the eye.
- Middle of the lower eyelid.
Set of exercises
Let's take a closer look at what exercises there are:
- "pendulum". To perform this exercise, you need to approach the wall with your back and, leaning against it, position your head straight and exclude the possibility of your neck moving. Now look first to the right, then to the left. Do it as if you want to look at the wall from behind. As you exhale, relax and look straight. Then repeat the exercise 5-10 times. This complex helps eliminate strabismus and restores the ability of the eye muscles to work smoothly;
- "infinity". The essence of this exercise is that the trajectory of eye rotation resembles an inverted figure eight or a mathematical infinity sign. Such manipulations should be performed for three minutes;
- "surprised monkey" To perform this exercise, take a standing starting position and take a deep, slow breath. Then you need to put pressure on the apple, trying to bulge it forward. Once you feel the tension, you need to hold it for 3-4 seconds. After this, you should relax as you exhale. This exercise is performed up to 10 times;
- "mosquito on the tip of the nose." The name of this exercise speaks for itself. So, to perform it, place your index finger on the tip of your nose and, after inhaling slowly, look at it with both eyes. Then, slowly moving your finger forward, begin to exhale. After this, focusing your gaze on the pad of your finger, complete the exhalation and relax. This manipulation should be done up to 5 times;
- "hummingbird". This name is explained by the fact that the frisky flapping of the wings of a small bird resembles frequent blinking. Thus, when performing this exercise, you need to take a deep breath and blink quickly and easily. At the end of the inhalation, it should be held for a short time and the manipulation should be stopped. Then, as you exhale, try not to blink at all. After relaxing, repeat the exercise 5 times.
By performing a simple set of Chinese gymnastics exercises to improve your vision, you can get rid of strabismus, as well as improve indicators that affect farsightedness or myopia.