ENTRY #5 + #4

The Bates Method is my choice of a topic to research.  The mechanics of the method to be more specific.  How the eye is affected by the activities in the mind, and how the eyes see anything at all are a couple questions I will be addressing.  I think those are important questions because the answers will help elaborate on the credibility of the method.  I will also be discussing some seemingly inherent assumptions behind optometry and the eyes. There seems to be a belief that certain parts of the body, such as the eyes, are irreparable and doomed to whatever mother nature decides for them. What I will be attempting to dispel in a pithy but credible sort of way is the assumption that poor vision is a congenital and constantly degrading trait of the eyes. Vision is an ever-changing and delicate psychological process.

Ideally I will be using not only William Bates' own research but Frans Donders' and other prestigious ophthalmologists as well. 
The actual act of the Bates Method may involve swaying from side to side on your feet or just a simple covering of the eyes with your palms.  The importance lies in how you are thinking about what you are seeing.  Open and receptive thinking helps create a healthier relationship between your brain and your eyes. The Bates Method is meant to retrain your mind allow your eyes too see rather than try to make them see, which usually causes strain.  A lot of the practice is a crafting of "tricks" to relax your eyes so that when done frequently enough, it becomes habitual.

Since the subject is a bit recondite yet controversial, I'm guessing that Dr. Bates' research will be one of my primary sources. I'm going to try my best to include research from others that either supports or contradicts the Bates Method but since I have had personal success with the method I feel as if it's more accommodating to the reader. The purpose of this research writing is for personal reassurance, thought provocation, and a way of supporting something that could benefit many people's lives.

Since I have personally used the Bates Method, I feel an emotional connection to it. My musical practice and whole life has been affected in positive ways through using this method and I hope that the outcome of this project will encourage people to use natural methods to improve their eyesight instead of glasses or contacts. Glasses and contacts are commonly attributed to the further degradation of the vision and this is something that my peers and I have personally experienced. Another potential outcome of this project will hopefully be a renewed perception of how the reader uses their eyes.

This subject relates to anybody really. Even if the reader has 20/20 vision, they can still learn something about the eyes and how to prolong their clear eyesight. I imagine this article being in a holistic living, or naturopathic magazine for ages 20 and up but I would hope that the information, which has existed since yoga has, would spread as far as possible. The method is not limited to any age group, or eye condition which comes as the biggest surprise to most people.

Question List:

• How does the eye function?
• How the do our thoughts affect how our eyes behave?
• How does strain affect the eyes?
• How do glasses affect the eyes?
• What methods can be used to relax the eyes?
• Why do people and professionals assume that their vision is unchangeable?
• Are the orthodox theories behind the structure and function of the eye outdated?