Praise for the work of Meir Schneider
“As an ophthalmologist, I always search for the best way to treat my patients. Based on the Bates Method, Meir Schneider’s self-healing system has complemented my practice in those cases where our traditional medicine has its limitations. The best treatment is the one that is directed to the patient’s needs, and the best medicine is the one that uses all knowledge and not only a part of it. Traditional science and complementary medicine are tools that should be used together, focusing on a more holistic health concept.”
—Leonardo Verri Paulino, MD, ophthalmologist and anterior segment surgeon at ABC Medical School, Brazil
“Schneider’s method is effective as a complementary physical therapy for the eyes.”
—Emília Ritsuko Yasuoka Assad, MD, ophthalmologist and acupuncturist, São Paulo, Brazil
“Working with my patients has verified that many sight problems get better and heal by taking up the right habits. Meir Schneider presents us with a complete guide to doing so. He helps us to regain our trust in the power we have over our vision and our lives. As he says in the book, ‘We all can take the time. We just have to decide that we are worth the time and that the process is worth our while.’ ”
—Amelia Salvador, MD, ophthalmologist, Alicante, Spain
“It is wonderful how each new book by Meir Schneider provokes us to incorporate more and more of the self-healing principles into our lives.”
—Laercio Motoryn, MD, ophthalmologist and homeopath, São Paulo, Brazil
“The knowledge and application of the self-healing method was very important improving my practice as an ophthalmologist. The results attained by my patients and with my own vision are proof of the importance of the union of traditional medicine with complementary therapies. I thank Meir Schneider for being such a marvelous instrument for my personal and professional improvement.”
—Ana Cecilia Gois Franco, MD, ophthalmologist and anterior segment surgeon and naturopath, São Paulo, Brazil
“I had the pleasure to meet Meir Schneider and use his method when I was finishing my apprenticeship to become a Bachelor of Optometry in 2005. His holistic approach toward visual dysfunctions changed me forever as a professional. His concepts remain present in my appointments, therapies, and lens prescriptions. Schneider’s work invites us to naturally preserve our organism and to practice healthier visual habits in this very technological world.”
—Fernando Nassif, optometrist with specialization in orthoptics and visual therapy, São Paulo, Brazil
“There are many kinds of patients, but those who get actively involved with their own healing process can surely go further. When I met Meir Schneider years ago, I started to apply some of his techniques to my work and was impressed by the results. We must imprint our will and optimism into everything we do, so we can go beyond it. Congratulations, Meir, for one more book that brings us simple yet useful lessons.”
—Mauro Rabinovitch, MD, ophthalmologist, São Paulo, Brazil
Copyright © 2012 by Meir Schneider. All rights reserved. No portion of this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the written permission of the publisher. For information contact North Atlantic Books. Published by Cover photo @ istockphoto.com/cinoby North Atlantic Books Cover design by Suzanne Albertson P.O. Box 12327 Berkeley, California 94712
Eye charts and red drawings courtesy of Flavio Kauffmann
Vision for Life: Ten Steps to Natural Eyesight Improvement is sponsored by the Society for the Study of Native Arts and Sciences, a nonprofit educational corporation whose goals are to develop an educational and cross-cultural perspective linking various scientific, social, and artistic fields; to nurture a holistic view of arts, sciences, humanities, and healing; and to publish and distribute literature on the relationship of mind, body, and nature.
North Atlantic Books’ publications are available through most bookstores. For further information, visit our website at www.northatlanticbooks.com or call 800-733-3000.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: The following information is intended for general information purposes only. Individuals should always see their health care provider before administering any suggestions made in this book. Any application of the material set forth in the following pages is at the reader’s discretion and is his or her sole responsibility.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Schneider, Meir, 1954
Vision for life : ten steps to natural eyesight improvement / Meir Schneider.
p. cm.
Summary: “Presents ten simple steps to relieve eye strain, correct vision problems, and improve eye health; includes a full range of restorative vision exercises”—Provided by publisher.
eISBN: 978-1-58394-515-5
1. Vision disorders—Treatment. 2. Visual training. 3. Orthoptics. 4. Bates method of orthoptics. 5. Eye—Diseases—Treatment. 6. Blindness—Genetic aspects. I. Title.
RE992.O7S27 2012
617.7′5—dc23
2012011110
v3.1
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Foreword by M. Fernanda Leite Ribeiro
Preface
List of Materials for Getting Started
Introduction
Chapter 1
Healing Myself of Blindness
Discovering the Bates Method
Seeing the Light
Chapter 2
Ten Steps to Better Vision
Step 1: The Long Swing
How to Do the Long Swing
Step 2: Looking into the Distance
Looking into the Distance Can Help Prevent Cataracts!
Step 3: Exploring the Periphery
Periphery Exercise 1: Look at the Distance
Periphery Exercise 2: The Small Pieces of Paper
Step 4: Sunning and Skying
Sunning
Skying
Step 5: Night Walking
Step 6: Palming
Preparing to Palm
How to Palm
How Long Should You Palm?
Visualization While Palming
Breathing While Palming
Relaxing the Ears
Benefits of Palming
Combining Palming with Other Exercises
Step 7: Shifting
Practicing Shifting
Look at More Details
Read the Fine Print
The Ink Is Black and the Page Is White
Comprehension Problems with the Weaker Eye
Step 8: Blocking the Strong Eye
Cheap Sunglasses
Look at Details One More Time
Step 9: Blink
Step 10: Vision and Body
Walking Correctly
Rest Your Eyes
The Power of Breath
Loosen Your Neck
Stretch Your Eye Muscles
Enjoy the View
Don’t Squint
Ready to Move On
Chapter 3
Computer Use and Relieving Built-Up Fatigue
Chapter 4
Improving and Correcting Errors of Refraction
Suggestions for Using This Part of the Book
Where Do Corrective Lenses Fit into These Exercises?
Correcting Myopia and Hyperopia
Myopia
Exercise Program for Myopia
An Additional Note about Myopia
Hyperopia
Exercise Program for Hyperopia: 90 Minutes a Day