Bates Method – Part 2

In Part 1, I introduced the Bates Method.

It was created as result of over three decades of clinic practice as an ophthalmologist. It is based on the theory that errors of focusing are temporary abnormalities which, due to the inability of the eyeball to change shape and when exposed to the healing powers of the body, can be reduced in severity or eliminated.   While conventional wisdom is based on the work of Hermann von Helmholtz states that errors of focusing are due to the inability of the lens to change shape.

Dr W H Bates postulated that focusing problems where the result of strain, either emotional or due to “trying” to see. The logical anti-dote to strain is rest, hence he developed palming a technique for resting the eyes.

As I know lots of my readers spend long ours in front of computer screens which can strain the eyes. I wanted to share with you this simple version of palming.

palming

  1. Cover your eyes with your cupped palms.
  2. Add a pillow under your elbows if more height is need to keep your back relaxed and straight.
  3. Breathe deeply while you palm for a few minutes.

Some people have found palming helps with headaches and dry eyes.

Related Posts

  • Natural ways to boost fertility through diet

    In my previous post, I shared tips on how to change your lifestyle to boost your fertility.  In this post, I wanted to share some tips on nutrition to boost your fertility based on scientific evidence. 1. Take a multivitamin Women who take a daily multivitamin take 5% less time to conceive than those taking a placebo. 2. Supplementation Take supplementation to correct any nutritional deficiencies.  A study showed that magnesium deficiency is associated with female, infertility, increased miscarriage rates, and increased incidences of premature and low-birth-weight babies.  When magnesium supplements were given for four months to six magnesium deficient women with unexplained infertility, all six conceived within the following eight month and produced healthy babies.  In men, low levels of zinc have been linked to poor sperm quality and infertility. 3. Optimise your diet. Researchers found that an optimal diet for fertility was one with:

    • a lower intake of trans fats with a greater intake of monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil, avocados and nuts)
    • a lower intake of animal protein with a greater intake of vegatable protein (found in peas, lentils and beans)
    • a greater intake of plant-based iron (from sources like whole grains, leafy green vegatables, nuts and seeds)
    • a preference for high-fat diary products (like full-fat cheese and milk)
    References Czeizel AE, Metneki J, Dudas I 1996 The effect of preconceptional multivitamin supplementatoin on fertility Int J Vitam Nutr Res 66(1):55-8 Howard JM, Davies S,  Hunnisett A 1994 Red cell magnesium and gluthathione peroxidase in infertile women -- effects of oral supplementation with magenesium and selenium Magnes Res Mar;7(1)49-57 Colagar AH, Marzony ET, Chaichi MJ 2009 Zinc levels in seminal plasma are assocaited with sperm quality in fertile and infertile men Nutr Res 29(2):82-8 BV Rossi et al 2014 Modifiable risk factors and infertility: What are the connections? Americal Journal Lifestyle Medincine; 10(4), 220-231

  • Here is why I bang on so much about good posture?

    I know that it may appear that I am getting on my soapbox, when I talk about posture.  So I thought it is worth explaining why. Good posture [...]

  • What can help period pain – Part 3?

    While taking nutritional supplements suits some women, I know others don’t like taking tablets.  So here are a couple of other ideas to assist you with your period pain. There is scientific evidence that from a trail of women who suffer from period pain that certain yoga poses e.g. cobra, cat and fish reduce both the intensity and duration of period pain.  The cobra pose is where you lie on your front, with your hand underneath your shoulders and gently push yourself up bending your back as you come up.  The cat pose is when you are on all fours and then round your spine like a cat.  The fish pose is when you lie on your back, keep your pelvis and head on the floor and an arch your spine towards the ceiling. As an aromatherapist there are a variety of essential oils that you can use to help reduce the severity of period pain.  Aromatherapists split period pain into two categories:

    • Congestive dysmenorrhoea – where the pain starts a few days before the period and can cover the whole abdominal area.
    • Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea which comes in spams of pain in the pelvis and/or lower back.
    For congestive pain: 10 drops of roman chamomile + 5 drops of clay sage and 15 drops of red thyme in 30 ml of a base massage oil. For spasmodic pain: 5 drops of lavender, 10 drops of peppermint, 10 drops of nutmeg and 5 drops of cypress in 30 ml of a base massage oil. In both cases you massage the whole abdomen and lower back daily throughout your period. References: Yoga poses >> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21514190