The biomechanics of vision and their influence on eyesight are more easily grasped if we first understand how the structure supporting the eyes relates to the fundamental structure of our posture and gait:
It makes sense that exercises that enhance postural and gait fluidity could have an influence on vision. Here is a fascinating blog post by Dr. Paul Dennison on how improving the innate mechanisms of posture and gait improved his vision.
“Reclaiming the Big Picture: How I Improved My Vision”, Paul Dennison
The developmental and postural reflexes most closely tied to vision are those related to cross lateral movements (quadruped gait). You can explore this subject in more detail here:
SYMMETRICAL AND CROSS-LATERAL MOVEMENT
Common behavioral issues related to poor integration of this deep neuromotor layer are:
- Difficulty settling down to sleep disturbed sleep
- Hypersensitivity / Hyperactivity / Extreme Fatigue (Fight / Flight)
- Visual pattern recognition issues, visual and auditory systems remain immature.
- Difficulty catching a ball, or copying from a blackboard in class – visual convergence issues
- Poor balance and coordination
- Difficulty adapting to change.
- Weak or hyperactive immune responses (allergies/asthma / infections (bacterial))
- Motion Sickness
- Strong will, yet difficulty making choices, inner resistance
- Shyness, the child can be socially and emotionally immature.
- Emotional reactivity / Phobias
- Concentration will be poor; the child is always on edge, on the alert to danger perceived or real. Whenever a bird flies past the window the child unconsciously has to investigate; any sound draws the attention as it too could be a threat to their safety.
- A nervy disposition can result in adrenalin and cortisol almost constantly running through the body. This results in a poorly developed immune system.
A very good “quick fix” for incomplete maturation of these reflexes is the “Cross Crawl” exercise presented in both BRAIN GYM and TOUCH FOR HEALTH. You can read about Cross Crawl here:
and I highly recommend that you try it out. My cross-lateral reflexes never fully matured due to a fixation of my parents on the value of “getting ahead” and premature walking. I experienced many of the behavioral issues in growing up that are mentioned above, and as an adult, am prone to the sensation of overwhelm. Cross Crawl can easily bring me back to the experience of doing what is in front of me to do, and not focusing on what I am not doing in the present moment. I have relatively poor vision, and am looking forward to following Paul Dennison in his journey to better vision through improved motor function, using the Vision Gym exercises described in his post: