Why I’ve taught hundreds of people to roll their eyes at me, and how it can help you too!

In a moment, I’m going to show you a simple technique to help you relax, slow down your monkey mind, and begin to create a meditative state.

To set the stage, I’m Joel Elfman, creator of the C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Method.?

As a hypnotist & mind-body coach, I work w/ my clients to tap into the amazing resources available when we explore, the collaboration of body & mind

Mental stress is one of the major components of how our bodies get sick. In fact, over 80% of doctors’ visits are for stress.

Did you know, one of the fastest ways to change your state/your stress (your emotions, how you are feeling, or your mindset) is to change how you are breathing or moving?

This idea is most often associated w/ larger movements like changing your posture, standing up, going for a walk, etc.?

Stay with me, I am going to show you how even a small set of movements combined w/ breath can have a profound effect.

We have found this to be an incredibly helpful method for lots of people into a meditative state, even those who normally have trouble relaxing or quieting their minds.

Because we are going to do something that can be a bit trancey before we begin, I am going to strongly advise, you to find a quiet place to try this out. And to avoid driving, using heavy machinery, or doing anything that needs your focused attention.

Now, as promised, let’s do some eye rolling…

Seishindo Eye-Rolls

To Begin:

Sit up straight, but relaxed.?

Let your head, easily balance on your neck

And look forward

Take a few relaxing breaths in & out

A typical meditation breath might be breathing in for a 3 or 4 count, and breathing out for a 4 count. Some people do longer breaths but find what is most comfortable for you.

Do 3-4 rounds of breathing, or however long it takes you to begin to find an easy rhythm for you.

Once you’ve found your breathing rhythm, let’s add the next step, eye-rolling.

Once again, check that you are sitting up straight, you are looking forward, head is relaxed on your neck.

With your eyes open, begin to slowly & gently roll your eyes in a circle. It is okay, it is natural if your head moves a little while you are rolling your eyes.?

The focus is on the movement of your eyes in a circle, not on what you are seeing.

What are we looking for??

Between the relaxed breathing & slow rolling of your eyes we want to find a speed & rhythm that starts to occupy your mind and slows down excess thinking (or what is often referred to as “monkey mind”)

Please be aware, especially in the beginning, your eye circles very likely to be imperfect. There are going places in your circle, where your eyes, skip, speed up or slow down, places where your head moves a little, and all of that is totally fine.

To help occupy your mind further, or to get an idea of speed, you might start by counting out your circles. A 10-count or slightly slower might be a great start for each circle. Again, find the speed that works for you, some people do a 20-count or longer for each circle.

This isn’t about doing anything perfectly. This is about finding a rhythm between breathing & rolling your eyes that slows down your mind & helps you go into a relaxed meditative state or a trance.

At any point, after a couple of circles in one direction, if you want to change direction, please feel free to explore that, just remember relaxation is the key.

And at any point, if you find your eyes closing that is perfectly fine, you can still do your eye circles. As you relax even further, you can let go, and stop your eye rolling entirely, and just enjoy this peaceful, restful state.

That is the exercise,?

Now, allow yourself to come back to the here & now,

And before you do anything that needs your focused attention, like driving, or operating heavy machinery, take a minute or two to make sure you are fully awake, fully back from your trance experience.

You can use this exercise whenever you want to clear your mind, need to calm down, or as a precursor to doing a meditation.??You can do this for 2-3 minutes, or up to 20 minutes. Explore what works best for you.

In the comments below you can click on the link to Register for my upcoming free workshop on Thu, March 30th - Movement for Change.

You can also find a link to a video of this article including how to do Seishindo Eye Rolls.

I’d love to hear about your experience with this exercise. Please comment below or feel free to DM me privately.