Soft Eyes

When I was taking my self-defense class, we were told that we could have a better chance of success in a threatening situation if we used Soft Eyes. This is a technique that lets us see more of the world around us, especially small movements. Pointing our face/eyes straight ahead without focus but letting our looking be the whole range of what our eyes can see--including all of our sideways and vertical peripheral vision--shows us the big picture in ways we can't see if our focus is straight ahead. It is easiest to start this practice seated without glasses, and, while pointing our eyes steadily ahead, we let our attention go up and down, side to side, and diagonally, seeing the whole range. Then we can softly return to center while keeping awareness of all that we've just experienced with our eyes. Practicing walking this way makes us especially aware of unusual movement, such as a fly zooming about. I have to admit, however, that if I found myself in a challenging situation, I wonder if I would think of Soft Eyes!

Suggestion from Mariah Kaye, Senior Fitness Specialist, offering more fitness choices through MoveAnyWayFitness.com.