Palming

This lesson is an introduction to the art of palming, as developed over a hundred years ago by Dr. Bates

All the methods used in the eradication of errors of refraction (improving vision) are simply different ways of obtaining relaxation . . .

Spend some time each day Palming

To palm is to cover your closed eyes with your hands in such a way that there is no pressure on your eyeballs. The palms of your hands are slightly cupped over each eye (left over left and right over right), and usually the fingers are partly interlaced on your forehead.

There should be no light, or as little as possible, allowed to enter the eye. Once you are palming, open your eyes and look around to see if you can adjust your hands in such a way as to exclude as much light as possible. Close your eyes.

Note

Palming is supposed to be relaxing, but you may end up being tight in your hands and arms in order to exclude light. Don't overdo it, and if necessary compromise. The next time you palm you may find a better position for the hands. Palming in a darkened room can be helpful.

. . . most people, though by no means all, find it easiest to relax with their eyes shut. This usually lessens the strain to see, and in such cases is followed by a temporary or more lasting improvement in vision . . .

Palming Positions

  • Sitting in a dining-type chair in front of a table with a stack of cushions, (or foam pads) on it. The cushions are for resting your elbows: there should be enough cushions so that you are able to easily bring your palms to your eyes without stooping forward (too few cushions), or having to look up (too many cushions). Rest your elbows on the cushions and bring your hands to your eyes. Close your eyes, rest with the darkness, and allow your breath to flow.
  • Lying on your back, with a few books or pillow under your head, and your knees up and feet flat on the floor. Bring your hands to your eyes, and start palming. The disadvantage of this is that you have to hold your arms up, which can be difficult if you want to palm for a long period.

But some light comes through the closed eyelids and a still greater degree of relaxation can be obtained in all but a few exceptional cases, by excluding it. This is done by covering the closed lids with the palms of the hands (the fingers being crossed upon the forehead) in such a way as to avoid pressure on the eyeballs. So efficacious is this practice, which I have called "palming", as a means of relieving strain, that we all instinctively respond to it at times, and from it most people are able to get a considerable degree of relaxation . . .

How long should I palm?

  • If you quite like palming then find at least one time in each day that you will be able to palm without disturbance. Make a mental note of any feelings you have ( e.g. happy, sad, confused, spaced out...) and also note what your other senses are receiving: listen, be, feel the support of the chair and floor, breathe.
  • During the day take regular short breaks and have mini-palms. You don't have to set yourself up in one of the "palming positions", just start palming as soon as you think of it. As you have a mini-palm, notice how your breath rises and falls. Count each breath cycle until you get to fifteen or so, and then stop.
  • Mini-palms can also be used if you find palming unenjoyable. Don't palm for long, but do palm often, up to as much as twenty or more times in one day.

Some questions to ask yourself:

  • Do you see nothing, or shapes, lights and colours?
  • How do you feel when you palm?
  • Do you feel relaxed after palming, or do you feel anxious? ...
  • There are so many things that you could notice - even not being able to palm is interesting and gives you valuable information for further work. The only rules are those you make up for yourself!

Start palming today, and do it every day for a week. If you like it, keep going and make it a regular part of your every day routine.

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Sunning is the simple experience of light on the closed eyes, and provides a similar foundation for relaxing the eyes as Palming.

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The Swings introduce the vision and mind to movement in the world. This section contains descriptions of five different types of visual swing.

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The Sway

The Sway is also an excellent method for learning to see movement in the world.

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