Yoga of Perfect Sight

Circular Swing

One of the best methods of obtaining complete relaxation of the eyes and mind is the practice of thumb movement.

Place the hand against an immovable surface or on the thigh. Place the ball of the thumb lightly in contact with the forefinger. Now move the end of the thumb in a circle of about one-quarter of an inch diameter. When the thumb moves in one direction, the forefinger should appear to move in the opposite direction, although in reality it is stationary, only the thumb is moving. Sometimes just moving the thumb does not succeed to bring good relaxation unless one can count one, three, five or more odd numbers, when the motion is downwards, and an even number when the thumb moves upwards. It is not necessary for the patient to watch the movement of the thumb in order to keep up the practice.

While watching the movement of the thumb, remember something perfectly. At once, the thumb movement becomes irregular or may stop altogether. Demonstrate that any effort, no matter how slight, to see, remember or imagine, interferes with the movement of the thumb. The thumb is so sensitive to an effort or strain that the slightest effort is at once recorded by the motion.

While watching the movement of the thumb, remember something perfectly. Notice that the movement of the thumb is slow, short, continuous and restful, the relaxation is felt in all parts of the body.

Many patients have been successfully treated for pain, headache and defective eyesight by the correct practice of circular swing.