I love that so many people replied to last week’s News Drop on eye health. The most ever, which is funny because it was the least “osteopathic” one I’d written in a long time. I’m excited to get into what I mean by that today, as therein lies the secret sauce!

But first . . . what did people have to say? 

Many were particularly excited to try the three eye care tips:

1) applying castor oil to closed lids

2) covering eyes with healing hands, and

3) alternating warm & cool compresses to pulse the circulation of the eyes.

And then, wouldn’t you know it, I heard from a mentor about remembering to mention the most potent circulatory influence on the eyes . . . the cranial (cranio-sacral) rhythm. And of course he is exactly right. We explored the rhythms in our on-line study group where the vision topic started, but not so much in this particular virtual space. Not last week anyway.

His words abbreviated:

“I thought I would throw my two cents. The eye lives in the orbit. The orbit is part of the well documented intrinsic slow rhythmic expansion and contraction of the cranium (skull). This motion in the orbit (eye socket) encourages the pumping action necessary for optimal [circulation]. For this pumping action to be effective, the cranium must be fluidic and mobile (the flow part, which of course I love . . . that’s me, MV talking).

He continues, “As the cranium is affected by the fluidity and motion of the rest of the body, how we move influences our cranium, the orbit and the health of the eye. 

Who has not had a change in their perceived vision after an exceptional Tia Chi, Yoga or other effective exercise practice? Another humbling example of the Health expressed as a whole.” (Health with a capital H, an osteopathic convention, added by yours truly!).

He’s talking about a phenomenon we allude to and will continue to nod to again and again. That full body breathing, or the coupling of the physical and energetic breaths, is the most potent driver of Health-not-Health of all. 

YES, “effective” exercise does bring us into coherence, an effect of the physical and subtle breaths coming into sync. There are also non-exercise ways to come into coherence and get our energy and structure breathing together again.

There are many subtle ways to come into coherence and get our energy and structure breathing together again.

I chose the image above of the fellow lying in green to make a point.

Embodying joy is one POTENT way — the joy I feel from this fellow is palpable! Lying on the Earth is another powerful way to re-harmonize our systems, as is connecting with vibrant, living things. He’s doing all three at once; pretty cool (caveat: choose a place to connect with nature unlikely to be covered with poison oak, pesticides, and the pollution of power lines!).

Ok I have something really special to soak all this flow talk in a little deeper. Drumroll . . . I have a video of exactly (ok, pretty close to) what we’re referring to. It’s called La Respiration Totale by Belgian Osteopath Roger Fiammetti. This is so badass I can barely stand it. How can most of the academic world still not get that full body breathing is where it’s at? Your guess is as good as mine.

Please share LIBERALLY in response to these topics, the video, and anything coming up for you as we dive more deeply into the pump behind the pump and the fluid in the fluid (more flow!). Yes, these are some of the quirky ways osteopaths talk about flow phenomena. What’s your way? Please share below!

For inspiration, here is a gorgeous share from our study group: 

“There’s such a wonderful sense of support, knowing that you’re in the same boat as other people. I started out with this very tense situation in my back and it’s all gone. Thank you all for being here!”

We’re glad you’re here, and look forward to diving deeper with you.

In Celebration of Your Emerging Flow,

Dr. Michelle Veneziano & the Flow is Medicine Community

We’re glad you’re here, and look forward to diving deeper with you.

In Celebration of Your Emerging Flow,

Dr. Michelle Veneziano & the Flow is Medicine Community