063: Why Eye Exercises Don't Work (and What Does Work!)

063: Why Eye Exercises Don't Work (and What Does Work!)

Author: Nathan Oxenfeld: Certified Teacher of the Bates Method, Yoga, Meditation, a September 1, 2022 Duration: 37:53

In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld shares a few upcoming opportunities to participate in natural vision improvement talks, workshops, and panels this fall and winter, and teaches a 20 minute lesson about why eye exercises alone don't improve vision and how the habit of central fixation does.

[0:30] New Bates Method 101 Video on YouTube! Why Eye Exercises Don't Work (And What Does Work)

[2:00] Episode 2 of TNEP - Eye Exercises vs. The Bates Method

[2:40] Naked Eye Podcast vs. Bates Method 101 YouTube videos

[3:15] Central Fixation is what does work! Diffusion (Eccentric Fixation) keeps your vision blurry!

[3:47] Color Lights World Project 2022 Events

[4:31] Light Therapy & Color Therapy

[5:34] Free Zoominar on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 @ 2pm EDT featuring 10 speakers (including me!)

[6:09] My Vision Panel with Ainhoa de Federico is on December 1st, 2022 @ 2pm EDT (Preserving Eye Health in a Screen Filled World)

[7:51] The other 5 panels in October, November, and December

[8:38] Register online at Gabrielle Buresch-Teichmann's website www.color-buresch.at 

[9:11] Natural Vision Improvement Day is on Saturday, October 15th from 10am to 6pm EDT

[10:08] AVE = Association of Vision Educators 

[11:07] Natural Vision Improvement Day features Nathan Oxenfeld, Orit Kruglanski, Claudia Muehlenweg, Dr. Marc Grossman, Ainhoa de Federico, Peter Grunwald, Dr. Jacob Liberman, and an entire AVE Teacher Panel to finish

[12:27] Go to www.naturalvisionteachers.org for more info or https://bit.ly/nviday2022  

[13:22] New 6 Month Vision Improvement Program group starts this November 2022-April 2023

[13:52] More documentary screenings getting planned for early 2023

[14:18] Rent or Purchase the film (plus 4 extended interviews) www.vision2020movie.com

[15:05] Natural Vision Teacher Training Program in development!

[17:00] EXERCISE doesn't work. RELAXATION does work.

[18:30] Don't take your eyes to the "eye gym", take them to the "eye spa"

[19:50] Dynamic Relaxation is achieving and maintaining relaxation in your eyes and mind as you're using them

[20:10]The Fundamental Principle of the Bates Method = Central Fixation

[20:40] Palming is more of a passive relaxation (eyes closed)

[22:08] Central fixation is more of a dynamic relaxation (eyes open)

[22:44] Diffusion is trying to see everything equally clearly all at once

[23:00] Central Fixation is seeing best where you are looking

[24:12] The important difference between photographic camera and human eye

[26:50] Artificial lenses lead to a loss of central fixation

[29:05] Central fixation is a good vision habit to maintain in between your other vision practices

[30:55] Get a visual demonstration of diffusion vs. central fixation look like in the YouTube video

[32:52] Subscribe to my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/nathanoxenfeld  

[33:11] Daily Routine video has over 900,000 views- let's get to a million!

[34:34] The Better Eyesight Podcast & The Better Eyesight League www.bettereyesightpodcast.com www.patreon.com/bettereyesight 

[36:36] Mark your calendars for October 4th, October 15th, and December 1st, 2022!


What if the strain you feel in your eyes isn't a life sentence, but a habit you can change? The Naked Eye Podcast: Exploring Natural Alternatives to Glasses, Contacts, and Surgeries moves beyond conventional eyecare to investigate a holistic path. Hosted by Nathan Oxenfeld, a certified teacher of the Bates Method, yoga, and meditation, this podcast delves into the often-overlooked connection between how we use our eyes and our overall mental and physical state. Each conversation is a deep dive into practical, natural vision improvement. You’ll hear detailed discussions on techniques like breathwork and specific visual relaxation practices, all framed within the understanding that eyesight is not a static condition but a dynamic sense intertwined with stress, posture, and attention. The goal here isn't just to see a clearer chart, but to cultivate healthier eyes and a more insightful relationship with your own vision. Nathan guides listeners through principles that challenge the assumption that blur is permanent, offering a thoughtful exploration of how alternative methods can lead to tangible changes in daily life. Tune in for a nuanced perspective that redefines what it means to care for your eyes, focusing on the innate capacity for clarity that exists without external aids. This is a space for anyone curious about the potential of their own vision, eager to learn from a teacher who approaches seeing as an integral part of well-being.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Naked Eye Podcast: Exploring Natural Alternatives to Glasses, Contacts, and Surgeries
Podcast Episodes
087: How To Alleviate Your Astigmatism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:29
In this episode, I share some updates (including a big announcement!) and address the mental/emotional aspects of astigmatism, which is a common vision problem that can often accompany nearsightedness or farsightedness.…
086: Answering Listener Questions Inside an Earthship! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:27
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld recaps the past year's worth of Natural Vision Vlogs and then shares the full audio version of the 12th Vlog filmed inside an Earthship where he reads and…
082: RE-RELEASE - Reversing Astigmatism with Esther Joy van der Werf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:46
In this episode, Nathan Oxenfeld announces the untimely loss of his friend and colleague Esther Joy van der Werf. Nathan and Esther had been teaming up on the Better Eyesight Podcast from 2019-2025, releasing new episode…
081: Anthropology of Eye Care with Anna Bambridge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:16
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher (and anthropologist) Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Anna Bambridge, a natural vision teacher and researcher based in Glasgow, Scotland. The two natural vision educators discuss…
080: Nathan's New York Recap (Conference, Gathering, Retreat) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:17
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld recaps his recent experiences in New York in September and October, including the 5 Day Association of Vision Educators Conference, the 4 Day Teacher Train…
079: The Fascia Vision Connection with Judy Gantz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:11
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Judy Gantz about her work with the fascia. Judy is the Director and Founder of the Center for Movement Education and Research. She skillfully bl…
078: Presence and Pinhole Glasses with Peter Grunwald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:00
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher interviews Peter Grunwald, the creator of the Eyebody Method and a special type of pinhole glasses that help get you into a state of "presence" rather than a state of "unde…