Eyesight – Improve your peripheral vison

I was taught this exercise back in the 1990’s, when I tried it I noticed that the way I thought was different, I could not explain it so I went back to my Sensei (teacher) and asked about it. What he said surprised me.

Doing the exercise does improve your peripheral vision, I can now see any movement in just over a 180 degree range.

But I also now think differently, which for an auditor is a great trait.

My sensei told me was that this exercise connected pathways in your brain, if you are logical you become more creative (Which happened to me as I was a Software Developer), if you are creative you become more logical.

To be honest it is a little scary but I now see things others miss and put together bits of information others see as random but I can understand and see the “obvious” pattern.

This is how you do the exercise “Happo” 8 Directions or infinite directions

Important: do not move the head as you perform the exercises

1.     Hold your arms outstretched to your sides, look left and right (5 times) pause in the centre of each movement

2.     Pause and close your eyes for a count of 10

3.     Look diagonally (5 times)

a.     Upper left to lower right and back to the start

b.     Upper right to lower left and back to the start

4.     Pause and close your eyes for a count of 10

5.     Look up to the sky and then down at your toes (5 times)

6.     Pause and close your eyes for a count of 10

When you have done this I do one of the relaxation exercises, my preference is “palming”, clap the palms of my hands together, rub them vigorously to warm them up and then cup them over my eyes to relax the muscles.

Have you tried this, I would love to know what has your experience has been?

I’d be interested to hear your thoughts, particularly from

anyone with experience in martial arts, visual training or eye care.