Natural Eyesight Conference
London, UK
24th - 26th October 2008
Workshops
Inspiring and practical Natural Vision Workshops will be held before and after the conference.
Friday 24th October
-
9.30am - 12.30pm Aileen Whiteford
Eye Dominance in Natural Vision Education
In this workshop the quesion "does eye dominance need to be taken into consideration when prescibing and teaching?" will be explored through practical demonstration and discussion.
- or
-
9.30am - 12.30pm Nirmala Pankhania
From an Optometrist's Point of View
- or
-
9.30am - 12.30pm Peter Mansfield
Seeing from the Third Eye
Sterescopic binocular vision is a key factor in integrating the world of sight with physical experience. The binocular process is complex, involving many variables which will be uniquely configured in any given individual. In this workshop, Peter draws on over 20 years of experience as a Bates teacher and will look both at ways of understanding and working with obvious binocular disorders, as well as novel ways of using familiar binocular techniques in developing other aspects of vision. The workshop should be helpful to anyone interested in binocular vision in particular, or vision improvement in general, at any level of experience: please note however, that some people with long standing and/or severe binocular issues, while they should gain much in the way of useful information and tools, may not be able to participate fully in all practical activities and bookings are accepted on this understanding.
Sunday 26th October
-
6.30pm - 9.30pm Kevin Wooding
The Inherent Nature of Central Fixation
In this workshop we will explore how every layer of the conscious experience of vision is achieved without effort or intention. Movement, colour, form or just the pure experience of light and dark: each happen of their own accord. This principle of sight is then applied to the concept of Central Fixation, how to experience it without trying, without intending or needing to 'do' anything. Practical techniques and demonstration and tools to take away and practice: gain deeper insight into Bates' words:
'Whenever the eye tries to see, it at once ceases to have normal vision.'
Monday 27th October
-
9.30am - 5.30pm Nina Hutchings
When the Landscape Around Us Appears to be Moving
The objective of this workshop is to explore the perception and the acceptance of the movement of one’s surroundings. Dr. Bates laid much emphasis on this “optical flow” as an indication of relaxed seeing with the harmonious balance of central and peripheral vision. Whenever there is the slightest movement of the regard, the phenomenon of the "optical flow" is always present. It suffices to be aware. Awareness requires presence. Presence is relaxation of the mind. Different experiential games and exercises will enable this illusion to be observed, felt and integrated, and the link between the mind and vision experienced.
- or
-
9.30am - 5.30pm Aileen Whiteford
Writing Your Own Prescription
Learning to change how we see ourselves and the world can be a challenging process. This workshop will show you a powerful tool for taking an active role in all aspects of your vision journey. Through the medium of creative journalling using words, pictures and symbols, the role personal expression and accurate recording play in guiding eyesight improvement will be explored.
- or
-
9.30am - 5.30pm Anthony Attenborough
Mind and Vision
A practical exploration of mind and vision in relation to what Bates used mind to mean, what mind is and how seeing relates to mind. How we can experience directly and indirectly the process of seeing will be explored using Bates’s principles of movement and relaxation.
- or
-
9.30am - 5.30pm Peter Mansfield
Seeing and Being
One of the many discussions around vision education centres on the relative importance of on the one hand, 'technical' Bates work which emphasises the development of central fixation through relaxation, movement and central/peripheral awareness, and on the other hand, 'personal development' work which emphasises the psychology of poor sight and its roots in personal history and emotional dysfunction. Peter's view is that both strands are equally significant and that the relationship between them needs to be better understood. This workshop will draw on many sources and involve a range of activities to explore this relationship and our own relationship to the world in front of our eyes.