Three Minutes of Candle Trataka in the Evening
Gazing softly at a steady candle flame in a dim room, then closing the eyes. Skip with eye disease, a history of seizures, or a lot of eye strain.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
A yogic gaze, kept short
Trataka is a yogic practice of gazing steadily at a small flame, then closing the eyes and watching the afterimage. Done for a few minutes in the evening, many people find it calms a busy mind. It is a calming practice and not a treatment for insomnia, eye disease or any condition.
Keep to three minutes, sit comfortably with the flame at eye level an arm's length away, and blink naturally. Stop if your eyes water heavily or hurt. Skip it with eye disease, glaucoma, epilepsy or seizures, and if you are very prone to eye strain. Never leave a flame unattended.
Ingredients
- A small candle or brass diya in a safe holder
- A quiet dim room and a mat or chair
- A glass of water
How to prepare
- Place the candle at eye level, an arm's length away, away from drafts.
- Sit comfortably and take a few slow breaths.
How to use
- Gaze softly at the flame for up to three minutes, blinking naturally.
- Close the eyes and watch the afterglow, then breathe quietly for a minute.
Helpful habits
- Do it away from fans and curtains.
- Blow out the candle after you finish.
Precautions
- Skip it with eye disease, glaucoma, epilepsy or seizures.
- Stop if eyes hurt or water heavily, and never leave a flame unattended.
- A calming practice, not a treatment for any condition.
Frequently asked questions
Does trataka improve eyesight?
- There is no reliable proof, so do not rely on it for vision.
How long should I do it?
- Three minutes is enough.
Is it safe for children?
- Not as a routine, and only with an adult watching the flame.
