Most people think of yoga as a way to stretch the body or calm the mind. But did you know yoga can also help your eyes? Yes, that’s true. Just like other muscles in the body, the muscles around your eyes need attention too. With the right yoga asanas and a little daily practice, you can reduce eye strain, relax tired eyes, and even support better vision.
If you spend a lot of time in front of a screen, you’re not alone. Many of us stare at laptops, phones, or TVs all day. That can make our eyes feel dry, itchy, and tired. Yoga gives us gentle ways to refresh those overworked eyes.
Let’s explore 7 simple yoga asanas and practices that are good for your eye health and your overall well-being. They’re easy to follow, and you don’t need anything fancy to begin. Just your breath, your body, and a few quiet minutes.
1. Palming
Palming is one of the easiest and most calming exercises for the eyes.
Start by rubbing your hands together quickly. This creates a warm energy between your palms. Once your hands feel warm, gently place them over your closed eyes. Don’t press, just let your palms rest softly.
Take a few deep breaths here. Try to relax your face, your jaw, and your shoulders. Stay like this for 30 seconds to a minute.
This practice relaxes your eye muscles and gives them a break from bright light. It also calms the nervous system and helps you feel centered. You can do this anytime during the day when your eyes feel tired.
2. Eye Rotations (Chakshu Chalana)
This simple yoga eye exercise helps improve flexibility of the eye muscles and improves blood flow.
Sit comfortably with your spine straight. Look straight ahead. Now slowly move your eyes to the right side, then back to center. Then move them to the left and return to center. Do this 5 times on each side.
Next, look up and come back to center. Then look down and return. Repeat 5 times.
You can also move your eyes in a circular motion. First, rotate clockwise 5 times, then anti-clockwise 5 times.
This helps improve coordination and strength of your eye muscles. It’s also a great way to wake up your eyes in the morning.
3. Trataka (Steady Gazing)
Trataka is a powerful yogic technique for better focus and inner clarity.
Sit in a dark or dim room. Place a candle or a small object like a black dot at eye level about 3 to 4 feet in front of you. Gaze at the flame or dot without blinking as long as you can. When your eyes start to water or feel tired, close them and rest.
You can imagine the image in your mind’s eye after you close your eyes. Try to stay with that image for a few seconds.
Trataka trains the eye muscles to stay steady. It also clears mental fog and boosts memory. This practice is deeply calming and is also said to support the third eye chakra.
4. Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Though this is a full-body pose, it deeply relaxes your facial and eye muscles.
Start by kneeling on the floor. Bring your big toes together and sit back on your heels. Now slowly lower your upper body forward so your forehead rests on the mat. Keep your arms stretched forward or place them by your sides.
Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Let your forehead relax into the mat.
This position gently massages the area around your eyes. It also calms the brain and reduces stress. When you are calm, your eyes are less strained.
5. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
This pose increases blood circulation to the head and eyes.
Start on your hands and knees. Tuck your toes and lift your hips toward the sky, forming an inverted V shape. Keep your spine long and your heels moving toward the ground.
Let your head hang freely between your arms. Breathe slowly and deeply.
This asana helps bring fresh oxygen to your face and eyes. It also helps relieve tension from the upper back and shoulders, which often tightens up from long hours at a screen.
6. Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana)
This is an advanced pose, so be gentle and go slowly. It brings a fresh rush of blood to the brain and eyes.
Lie flat on your back. Slowly lift your legs, hips, and back off the floor. Support your back with your hands. Try to keep your legs straight and your chin close to your chest. Don’t move your neck while in the pose.
Stay here for a few breaths, then come down slowly.
This pose boosts blood circulation to your upper body and helps your glands work better. It’s also believed to detox the eyes and brain area. Only try this pose if you’re comfortable and have no neck issues.
7. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
This calming stretch helps soothe the eyes and relax the nervous system.
Sit on the floor with your legs stretched straight in front of you. Inhale, raise your arms up, and as you exhale, bend forward from the hips. Try to reach for your feet or shins. Let your head hang down gently.
Close your eyes while in the pose. Breathe deeply and try to let go of tension.
This pose is known to cool the body and reduce mental stress. Since our eyes are directly affected by stress, calming the whole body helps them too. It’s also a great end-of-day posture.
Why These Asanas Matter for Eye Health
Your eyes are always working, even when you don’t realize it. Whether you’re scrolling on your phone, watching TV, or reading this article, they are constantly focused.
Most people ignore eye care until there’s a problem. Yoga gives us tools to care for our eyes daily. These asanas help relax the muscles, improve circulation, and reduce strain. They also train your focus and attention, which supports long-term vision health.
Practicing these yoga poses doesn’t take a lot of time. Even 10 to 15 minutes a day can make a big difference. Combine them with healthy habits like blinking more often, taking screen breaks, and staying hydrated.
Also remember that yoga is not just physical. The breathing and stillness that come with each pose are just as helpful. When your breath is steady and your mind is calm, your whole face—including your eyes—feels relaxed and alive.
Try adding these asanas into your weekly routine. They’re not just good for the eyes, but also for your mood, your sleep, and your peace of mind. Taking care of your vision now will help you enjoy life with clarity for years to come.