Yan Gong
Functions: Regulates the blood of the Liver Channel, soothes the liver, and improves vision.
Methods
1. Preparation: Sit or stand, relax, look straight ahead, and expel any distracting thoughts.
2. Moving the Eyeballs in an Infinity Pattern. Move the eyeballs and imagine that there is a flow of Qi inside their orbits. Start the eye movements from slightly above the inner corner (the acupuncture point Jingming (U.B. 1)) of the left eye. Move the eyeballs along the
upper side left orbit toward the outer corner (canthus) and then, along the lower side of the left orbit to the point Jingming (U.B. 1) of the right eye. Continue by moving the eyeballs along the upper side of the right orbit to the right outer corner (canthus), then along the lower side of the right orbit back to left Jingming (U.B. 1). In other words, move the eyes in a figure-eight pattern. Do the exercise 8 times. Then repeat for another 8 times in the opposite direc- tion starting from the right Jingming (U.B. 1). Breathe natural- ly during the exercise. Direct the flow of Qi by will and allow the mind to follow the movement of Qi.
3. Pressing the Eyes to Guide Qi. Use the thumbs to press the internal upper corners of the orbits and concentrate on this location. Press backward on the orbits while inhaling then gently press the eyeballs while exhaling so that a distending sensation in the eyes is produced. Do this 8 times (Fig. 13).
4. Bathing the Eyes. Close the eyes slightly. Rub the flats of the four fingers together until they are warm, and then rub the eyes from the inner corners to the outer corners 24 times (Fig. 14). Use natural respiration and focus the attention under the hands.
Figure 13
Figure 14
Application
This exercise is practiced to keep the eyes healthy as well as to prevent and cure near- and far-sightedness and astigmatism in adoles- cence. It also functions to regulate blood and Qi circulation in the Liver Channel in order to soothe the liver and improve eyesight. Better results can be obtained when it is done in combination with the exercise Soothing the Liver to Improve the Acuity of Vision. Eye Exercise can also be practiced for dizziness, discomfort of the eye, eye congestion, swelling, pain, and fatigue of the eye muscles in older people. At completion of the exercise, one should close the eyes slightly and rest for a moment.
Points for Attention
Practice the exercise 1–4 times a day. To relieve eye strain caused by reading or writing, practice methods 1 and 3 to allay eye fatigue and protect eyesight. Do not read in dim light and wear proper spectacles. Pay attention to eye hygiene and avoid eye fatigue.
Reference: Qigong for Treating Common Ailments: The Essential Guide to Self Healing
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