Breathing Exercises: Should I Open or Close My Eyes
Should you keep your eyes opened or closed during breathing exercises?
My answer: It depends.
There’s some pros and cons to both, so you have to decide for yourself which approach you prefer.
When you close your eyes, you can shut out distractions, better hear your breath, and be more present with sensations in your body.
(But you might feel uncomfortable or exposed when you can’t see your surroundings, or you might be unable to focus your mind.)
When you keep your eyes open, you may feel more present with your surroundings, and you might be more comfortable and secure when you can see what’s going on around you.
(But you may be easily distracted by your surroundings.)
The key is finding what’s most comfortable for you! Alternate back a forth a few times to find if you feel more relaxed and focused with your eyes opened or your eyes closed.
And here’s a tip for those who decide to keep their eyes open:
- Try bringing your eyes to a low gaze. Look at your belly, towards your feet, or a low spot in front of you. This can allow you to maintain an awareness of your surroundings while still keeping most of your attention on yourself.
Eyes opened or eyes closed, the important thing is that you Just. Keep. Breathing.