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
067: Top 6 Episode Countdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:52
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld counts down the Top 6 Episodes of The Naked Eye Podcast so far from the past 7 years of the show's history. 6) Episode 6 - 5 Bad Vision Habits You Need to…
066: The Paula Method with Michal Mehler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:25
*** Sign up for the special Vision Panel on December 1st, 2022 @ 2pm EST called "Preserving Eye Health In A Screen-Filled World" with Nathan Oxenfeld and Dr. Ainhoa de Federico - https://color-buresch.at/webinar/december…
065: Recap of a 7 Day Natural Vision Improvement Conference [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:35
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld introduces you to the 2-dozen speakers featured in the 2022 Association of Vision Educators (AVE) Conference, which went from October 10-16. This will be t…
064: Vital Vision with Dr. Sam Berne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:21
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Dr. Sam Berne about his new book Vital Vision (coming in February 2023), which answers the internet's most commonly asked questions about holist…
062: Bates Fundamentals and Procedures with Dr. Ray Gottlieb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:45
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld is joined by Dr. Ray Gottlieb as they review some key parts of his Bates Fundamentals & Procedures document, which you can download at https://integraleyes…
061: Free Your Mind and Shift Your Eyes with Gloria Ginn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:07
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Gloria Ginn who has been teaching natural vision improvement for over 40 years. Gloria tells us the story of how she improved her own vision, ov…
060: Don't Forget To Back Up Your Data! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:05
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld explains why a new episode hasn't dropped in March (hard drive crashed!) and reads recent success stories from two of his vision students instead to provid…
059: Mitigating Artificial Blue Light with Dhruvin Patel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:01
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Dhruvin Patel who is an optometrist and a founder of Ocushield. His mission is to help eyes thrive in the digital age, so he has created a line…
058: The Principles of Natural Vision Improvement with Meir Schneider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:27
In this episode, Certified Bates Method Teacher, Nathan Oxenfeld interviews Meir Schneider about his amazing story of going from 1% vision to 70% vision with the help of the Bates Method, bodywork, emotional healing, and…
057: Winter Solstice Palming Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:39
You're invited to my Palming Party! Since this Palming Party happened on the Winter Solstice, we will be reflecting back on all 12 months of 2021, and project ahead into the 12 months of 2022. After about 30 minutes of p…