Bates Method 101: Breathing

Today we explore the connection between our eyes and our lungs, our vision and our breath. We'll look at the science of our breath through the scope of the Bates Method and Yoga. If possible, remove your glasses or contacts to participate in this experience.

Before you begin altering your breath, first simply take note of the way you are unconsciously breathing (or were unconsciously breathing before you started thinking about your breath). Ask yourself, "Where is my breath? Where is my breath going in my body? Are my breaths shallow or deep? Which nostril am I breathing through?

Then start to deepen your breath and prepare to join me for some 1:2 ratio deep belly breathing. Keep your lips closed, teeth open, expand your abdomen and take a big inhale as if you were yawning. Contract your abdomen and exhale twice as long as your inhale. If you feel comfortable with it, try holding your breath for one second in between your inhale and exhale. So start by inhaling for 1 second, holding for 1 second, then exhaling for 2 seconds. Close your eyes and visualize sending the fresh oxygen and healing energy contained in the breath up to your eyes. Once that feels comfortable, inhale for 2 seconds, hold for 1 second, exhale for 4 seconds. Keep feeling your eyes relax more and more the deeper your breath becomes. Once that feels comfortable, inhale for 3 seconds, hold for 1 second, exhale for 6 seconds. Take your time extending your breath. Do not rush the process. Gradually work your way up over time. Do not exceed 10 second inhale and 20 second exhale. It is always a good idea to get some additional instruction and guidance from a yoga teacher or someone who specializes in breath work.

Next you can gaze at an object that is beyond your "edge" of clarity. If you are nearsighted pick an object farther than the distance you can see clearly without glasses, whether that is 6 feet or 6 inches. If you are farsighted pick an object closer than the distance you can see clearly without glasses, whether that is near or far. Notice how your object looks. Close your eyes and take a long, slow, deep inhale. Hold your breath for one second and then gently open your eyes as you exhale with a big sigh. Even better, make the sound of a big sigh of relief and relaxation. Repeat this several times on your object and allow it to appear clearer and clearer each time you open your eyes back up with a big exhale. The flashes of clarity will be more noticeable the closer your object is to your edge of clarity. Gently and gradually stretch your vision in or out. Give your eyes time to relax, they don't heal overnight.

Do these two relaxing breathing practices first thing in the morning and anytime throughout the day when needed, especially when your eyes or mind start to feel stressed or strained. The more you practice deep rhythmic breathing on a conscious level the more your body will maintain deep rhythmic breathing on a subconscious level without having to even think about it. Likewise, the more you practice the Bates Method relaxation exercises on a conscious level the more your eyes will maintain constant good vision on a subconscious level. Auto-focus.

Make sure you subscribe to this channel to receive more videos on the topic of the Bates Method and other forms of natural vision improvement. Thank you!

[MunimCompany]

Each one of your videos are packed with tons of valuable info given away for free!💎 Your Bates 101 videos are golden!👍 Thank you for being SO generous with such useful knowledge ❤❤❤❤❤

[fgycv]

Nate I'm not sure if you'll read this but thank you. I'm a rapper on my side account hahaha but I just wanted to say. I can do all my recording work without being glued to a screen now. I went from -3.00 / -2.25 to -1.75 / -1.25 over about a month and a half or so! The results feel almost too quick to be believable, and yet there they are. Thank you for improving my life

[vidyakalaspurkar]

The way the different breathing technique help our body is a miracle unbelievable

[gabyramos]

My goodness I am shocked & amazed at all these bates method techniques. I am seeing changes in sensitivity with sunning. Now the breathing is next....THANK YOU!!!🤩

[phang]

Thank you so much to Mr. Nathan, Happy Breathing too. 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏 warmest regards.

[lhdraw]

The exhale exercise was powerful. The text I was looking at did get clearer. Now I have gained confidence that I can heal and restore my eyes again. Thank you for the information.

[Shtouk]

Thank you Nathan, this is a very helpful video as you added this one second pause between inhale and exhale that you don't talk about in your book. Thank to your method, my student could see one more line on the chart just by breathing. He went from 8/80 to 8/50 in 2 secs. And got the proof it works.

[dayexperiment-jtcy]

When i did the margret corbett sigh a oouple times in a row, I GOT A FLASH OF CLEAR!! yayy!!, that give me a clue to what I need to work on to help my eyes see clearer:) thank you Nathan!

[kierayumin]

This is so helpful, Nathan! Thank you:)

[NathanOxenfeld]

You are correct, it is very easy. It's the easiest way to relax your eyes, mind, and body. "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” -Dr. Seuss

[MrMajorWar]

Thanks Nathan. I'm definitely going to use the breathing practice.
But could you explain to me why this even works? How can something as simple as breathing relax the the eye muscles? Seems a bit too easy.

[sumatisharma]

thank you doctor it was v informative and i saw improvement immediately

[bohmaniac]

Thank you very much, I watched all your videos in a few days and I am just about to start my journey :) / Emil

[brendapeter]

So important to breathe with tongue on roof of mouth as it calms the central nervous system.

[wy]

Massive noticeable difference on the out-breath!

[NathanOxenfeld]

+O. James, skin cancer is caused by many factors, not just sunlight. And the sunlight component is usually only an issue with high levels of overexposure (i.e. sunburn). The sunning practice of the Bates Method are very gentle and you only get a few minutes of sunshine at a time, which will not lead to sun burn or any UV damage as long as you are not going overboard with it. I would advise you to do some research about the other potential causes of melanoma like genetics, diet, hormones, and even sunscreen.

[aklankrisz]

Hi Natfan! After I watched your video I burst out laughing, because my eyesight improved after. I can see the pixels on computer screen. :)

[alexanderworkchannel]

Bates method and Alexander Technique - My favorites - Alexander developed the Whispered Ah procedure that helps release facial and jaw tension and improves the voice as well as increasing overall relaxation. Focus is on the expiration also. Thanks - Less strain more Gain

[rohitxhetri]

Its temporary changes right?not permanent

[ricardorivera]

This breath lesson remember me with Dan Millman says in an interview, if u don't know who is him he wrote the book: Pacific Warrior.