Exercises for unblocking the ocular segment: wide opening of the eyes, tracking an object, focus/defocus. Restoring a living gaze.
Step-by-step guide
- Ask the client to open the eyes wide — as in surprise
- Hold 10-15 seconds. What do you feel?
- Track the therapist's finger with the eyes: up-down, left-right
- Focus: look at the finger up close → shift the gaze far away
- Gently rotate the eyes in a circle
- End: close the eyes, relax the forehead. What has changed?
When to use
- With "empty" or "glassy" eyes, in a schizoid structure
- In avoidance of eye contact and chronic tension of the forehead
Key phrases
Open your eyes wide — as if surprised — and hold for ten seconds. No performing. Just let the eyes be allowed to see. Then we soften them again.
Follow-up questions
What is behind the need to keep the eyes small?
When you looked at me just now, what happened?
If tears come, let them — the eye segment often holds weeping.
After — what is different in the forehead, in the breath?
Alternative phrasings
If opening wide feels dangerous, smaller is fine — we are building range, not performance.
Close the eyes whenever it becomes too much.
Warnings
- ⚠️ May bring up anxiety — the ocular segment is linked with the fear of "seeing".
- ⚠️ Begin gently. If tears come — that is good; do not stop.
Source: Lowen A. 1975 — Bioenergetics; Reich W. 1945
Materials are informational and educational and summarize publicly available scientific sources. They are not medical or psychological advice, are not intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment, and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.