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Eyesight
Improvement Books |
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are many books available about eyesight improvement, some are
better than others. The following is a list of books that
I like, starting with my own books and followed by my favorites.
Just because a book appears in this list does not mean I agree
with all of its contents. Many books perpetuate common misunderstandings
about the Bates Method, such as providing a variety of eye exercises,
or promoting 'sketching' as a way of creating motion for the eyes
and head. Both sketching and eye exercises tend to create more
eyestrain, not less, so if you come across things that don't feel
right to you, don't do them... Dr. Bates never promoted such strained
practices and I recommend you avoid them too.
Some of these books are available directly from Visions of Joy,
as indicated by the yellow highlights. All prices are in US Dollars.
Please
inquire for shipping to other countries.
To buy any one of these books from Visions of Joy, make the appropriate
donation and please email
me with the details of your order.
Most of the other books are easy to purchase by clicking on its
title, or by ordering from a local bookstore. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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 Optimal Eyesight
How to Restore and Retain Great Vision.
by Esther Joy van der Werf.
Foreword by Amelia Salvador, M.D.
(2019) ISBN 978-1-935894-21-6, 322 pages
Click here for more information!
Hardcover with color illustrations, US$39.50
Paperback with color illustrations, US$29.50
Ebook PDF with color illustrations, 10 MB, US$19.00
Audiobook also available.
Add $6 shipping within USA for the paperback book, $7 for the hardcover.
Order by making
a donation here and then send a quick
email stating that you are ordering
the Optimal Eyesight book (hardcover, paperback or PDF).
International orders: please purchase the book from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Alibris, AbeBooks, Better World Books, IndieBound, or Book Depository. They all sell the paperback with grayscale illustrations for US$27.50 or local currency equivalent.
SPANISH TRANSLATION: See vision-optima.com
Also see Esther's Author page on Amazon
Bulk order discounts available - please contact Esther. |
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Read
Without Glasses at Any Age
The Natural Method to Near Vision Clarity.
by Esther Joy van der Werf.
Foreword by Ray Gottlieb, O.D., Ph.D.
(2013) ISBN 978-1-935894-08-7
Click here for more information and to read the book reviews!
Paperback with color illustrations, 170 pages, US$21.95.
E-book PDF with color illustrations, US$19.00
Leggere Senza Occhiali is the Italian
edition of this book!
Add $6 shipping of the paperback within USA.
Order by making
a donation here and then send a quick
email stating that you are ordering
the Read without Glasses book.
International orders please purchase the book from Amazon.com, which has the grayscale illustrations.
Also see Esther's Author page on Amazon
Bulk order discounts available - please contact Esther. |
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Bates
Method Nuggets
The Fundamentals of Natural Vision Improvement by William H.
Bates, M.D.
Compiled by Esther Joy van der Werf.
(2010) ISBN 978-1-935894-00-1
(2013) ISBN 978-1-935894-13-1
The golden nuggets of the Bates Method are the essential keys to
improving your vision naturally. All vital aspects of good
eyesight are covered in logical order. Simple one-page steps
help you make steady progress on your path to visual clarity.
These are all the 'page 2' gems published each month in Dr. Bates'
Better Eyesight magazines. You get the very best of
Dr. Bates' writings from the ten years after he wrote his book!
Paperback, 128 pages, US$15.00
Add $5 shipping within USA. Order
by making a donation here.
International orders please purchase the book from Amazon.com.
Bates Method Nuggets is also available
as an e-book! (you save on postage)
Book
Review by 'Marchnall' on Amazon:
"If you are looking for a book to give you an overview
of the Bates method get this book. I read the book, Better Eyesight
Without Glasses by Dr. William Bates and like this book waaaay
better than that one. Bates Method Nuggets is much easier to read
and it goes over a ton of the exercises."
Testimonial received from a reader:
"Hey Esther, I thank you wholeheartedly for writing such
an amazing and practical book (Bates Method Nuggets). It helped
me A LOT. From 20/70 to 20/20."
from Shivendra in India
Also see Esther's Author page on Amazon.
Bulk order discounts available - please contact Esther.
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Maroon cover
Green cover
1940 dustjacket
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Perfect
Sight Without Glasses
by William H Bates, MD (1920)
(Also known as The cure of imperfect sight by treatment without
glasses)
Visions of Joy offers Dr. Bates' original 1920 book for free as
an e-book!
Download Perfect Sight Without Glasses now.
In 1943, 12 years after Bates' death, his book was republished
in an abridged version called: Better Eyesight Without Glasses.
Much of the original text was edited out, and therefore it simply
is not as good as the original.
You can read my
comparison of the 1920 / 1940 / 1943 editions.
For Sale:
Would you like to own a rare copy of the original 1920
hardcover book Perfect Sight Without Glasses?
- I currently have only one left.
#1 has the maroon cover which is in very nice condition
with minor scuff and wear mainly on the spine edges. The inside
front cover has a label and incscription from Martha Feild Blair
of Virginia to her grandson, dated October 1950. The pages are
unmarked and clear with a minor moisture crease at the bottom
margin, which does not affect the text. $75.
Add $5 shipping.
Inquire if interested.
The rare 1940 edition is currently unavailable.
This is the same as the 1920 original green cover book, with the
addition of the "Crypt of Civilization" certificate
in the front, and the extra end-chapter of 'Helpful Suggestions'
with an eye-chart on page 310 as well.
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Stories from the Clinic
by Emily C. Lierman. (1926)
Written by Dr. Bates' assistant (and later his wife), this is
another excellent book that vividly describes Emily's experiences
in helping people regain perfect sight. This book is also
very useful for parents wanting to help their children.
It is out of print and very hard to find. However, you can
read
it here!
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Reprints
by W.H. Bates, M.D.
From the intro page: "The following are reprints from articles
which appeared in the various medical journals from time to time.
They explain the cause and cure of various defects with illustrations
and instructions."
(published in 1922 / 1923 ?)
This paperback booklet contains 14 articles published by Dr. W.H.
Bates and one by Dr. C.S. Price. It is out of print and the original
is extremely rare. However, you can buy
Esther's collection of 30 of Dr. Bates' articles!
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Better
Eyesight: The Complete Magazines of William H. Bates
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edited by Thomas R Quackenbush.
(2001) ISBN 1-55643-351-4
Dr. Bates published his Better Eyesight magazines from 1919
to 1930, and those have been compiled into this one book. This is
extremely interesting and inspiring material.
Note: This book does not contain the complete text
of the magazines; a large amount of editing was
done. To read the truly complete and unedited
version, get the magazine collection below in PDF format.
Get the
unedited and truly
complete collection of Better Eyesight magazines; Now
available from Visions of Joy in searchable PDF format, for
teachers and students who want it all! |
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Free Your Mind to Improve Your Eyesight *
by Gary Gunter, compiled by Gloria Ginn (2020)
Valuable material for current Bates Method teachers and anyone seriously interested in Dr. Bates' work, this book is a compilation of advice by Gary Gunter, speaking at the monthly Bates-Corbett teacher training meetings held in Los Angeles, California, from 1954 to 1967.
Gary emphasizes the mental side of seeing, and mimimizes eye exercises or drills. Very worthwhile. |
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Improve Your Eyesight - Get your eyes shifting again *
by Gloria Ginn (2021)
The first of Gloria's official training manuals to become available in print. Gloria's books represent more than four decades of experience in teaching the Bates Method, and I recommend her work highly. |
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The Super Sight Papers *
by Gloria Ginn (2022)
Both hilarious and deeply insightful. Plenty of food for thought to reflect on the differences between how people with great sight use their eyes as compared to those who live in a blurry world. |
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Help
Yourself to Better Sight
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by Margaret Darst Corbett (1949, 1972 reprint)
Margaret studied with Dr. Bates, and was an excellent natural vision
teacher herself.
To help master the Bates method, read all 3 of Corbett's books. |
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Quick
Guide to Better Vision *
by Margaret Darst Corbett (1957, paperback)
My favorite of Margaret's three books, this book is really useful.
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How
to Improve your Eyes
by Margaret Darst Corbett (1938)
Margaret Corbett's first book (pictured on right).
This first edition is hard to find.
How
to Improve your Sight *
(This is the 1953 revised edition, shown on left)
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Better
Vision Now: Improve Your Sight with the Renowned Bates Method
by Clara Hackett with Lawrence Galton*
(2006) ISBN 0-486-45253-0
Relax and See from 1955 was out of print
and extremely hard to find. It has been republished in this paperback
format. It remains one of the better books on vision improvement.
It has been given a new title, but the content is unabridged. |
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Use Your Own Eyes by W.B. MacCracken, MD. (1937)
Normal Sight without Glasses (1945,
this is a revised version of "Use your own eyes")
These are excellent books, but are rarely found in second hand bookstores.
The good news is that you can download "Use
Your Own Eyes" here for FREE! |
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Sight
Without Glasses
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by Dr. Harold M Peppard (1936).
Dr. Peppard studied with Dr. Bates himself and had a good understanding
of the Bates Method.
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Relearning
to See: Improve Your Eyesight -- Naturally!
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by Thomas R Quackenbush.
(1997) ISBN 1-55643-341-7
This is the book that got me started, it virtually is an encyclopedia
(506 pages) on natural eyesight. Especially parts 3 and
4 will be useful for those new to NEI. Skip his advice on sketching
and the nose-pencil.
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I See Clearly by Orit Kruglanski *
(2021)
Orit Kruglanski's colorful picture book for children, giving tips and guidance for teaching easy and fun games to relax the eyes.
Available through Amazon.com or buy a nicer quality print here.
(Original in Spanish - "Veo Bien" - ISBN: 978-84-17190-57-6)
(Also read Emily Lierman's book, Stories from
the Clinic, see above.) |
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Play your way to better eyesgiht by Orit Kruglanski *
(2023)
Orit Kruglanski's guide for parents who want to help their child see better.
This book helps parents understand what natural eyesight improvement is, and why a playful, curious mindset is an essential part of it. |
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Natural
Vision Improvement *
by Janet Goodrich, PhD
(1985) ISBN 0-89087-471-9
Wonderful book. |
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The
Art of Seeing
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by Aldous Huxley
(1942) ISBN 0-916870-48-0
Aldous Huxley was near blind when he learned about natural vision
improvement.
An easy to read, good book. |
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New
Techniques of Vision Improvement *
A unique synthesis of vision training techniques from William
H. Bates and methods of deep emotional release rooted in the work
of Wilhelm Reich.
by Charles R. Kelley (1971)
Charles Kelley learned how to improve his vision from Margaret Corbett.
He became a teacher of the Bates method and linked Bates work to
Reich work. Worth studying!
Here is a free
download of this book.
More books by Charles Kelley are available from www.radix.org |
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Your Innate Power
by Olive Lyle Brown (1967)
Olive Brown combines the Bates
Method, Alexander Technique and Vittoz Method. An excellent and
valuable book that you'll enjoy reading more than once!
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Better
Sight Without Glasses *
by Harry Benjamin (1929) |
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Improve
Your Vision *
by Martin Brofman (2004)
Your Inner Guide to Clearer Vision |
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Improve
Your Eyesight *
by Jonathan Barnes (1987)
a Guide to the Bates Method for Better Eyesight without Glasses |
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The
Bates Method *
by Peter Mansfield (1992) |
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Take
Off Your Glasses and See: A Mind/Body Approach to Expanding Your
Eyesight and Insight *
by Jacob Liberman, OD, PhD
(1995) ISBN 0-517-88604-9
Simply a 'must read' |
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Improve
your Eyesight Naturally *
by Leo Angart
(2005) ISBN 3-937553-08-8 |
(* Affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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Alternative Medicine
Vision Books |
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Ancestral Dietary Strategy to Prevent and Treat Macular Degeneration *
by Chris Knobbe, M.D.
(2016) ISBN 978-1734071702
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Healthy
Vision *
by Neal Adams, M.D.
(2014) ISBN 978-1-4930-0607-6
Great book that covers nutritional aspects of vision, specifically
for Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmenosa, Diabetic Retinopahty,
Macular Edema, Glacuoma, Cataracts and Dry Eyes. Includes
lists of important nutrients and their food sources, as Dr. Adams
recommends getting your nutrients from foods, not supplements. |
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Greater
Vision *
by Marc Grossman, O..D, L.Ac., and Vinton McCabe, NVE
(2001) ISBN 0-658-00643-6
This includes homeopathy, Chinese medicine, and the spiritual side
of vision. |
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Natural
Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing
*
by Marc Grossman, O.D., L.Ac., and Michael Edson, M.S., L.Ac.
(2018)
An 800 page book that includes extensive information on alternative healing modalities for 48 eye diseases.
Special Offer: Get 10% off when you buy this book from naturaleyecare.com and use discount code NEC101. Eenter the code in their check-out page then hit Apply to get the 10% discount |
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Cataract,
glaucoma and other eye disorders; Prevention and cure with proven
natural methods
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by John H Tobe (1973) |
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Smart Medicine for your Eyes *
by Jeffrey Anshel, O.D.
(2011) ISBN 978-0757003011
This book is an A-to-Z guide to eye disorders and their conventional and alternative treatments |
(* Affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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The Bates Method View of Sunlight
Compiled by Esther Joy van der Werf
(2022) ISBN 978-1-935894-26-1
Dr. Bates' writings on the benefits and use of sunlight for eye health, all in one little e-book.
PDF file, 65 pages, US$10
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Chasing the Sun. The new science of sunlight and how it shapes our bodies and minds *
by Linda Geddes
(2019) ISBN 978-1-78125-832-3
Fantastic book on the benefits of sunlight |
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Embrace
the Sun *
by Marc B. Sorenson, Ed. D. and William B. Grant, Ph.D.
(2018) ISBN 978-0692076002
Excellent book about the sun's influence on our health and wellbeing,
and an extensive resource on the benefits of obtaining vitamin D
from the sun. A must read. |
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Light:
Medicine of the Future: How We Can Use It to Heal Ourselves NOW
by Jacob Liberman, OD, PhD *
(1991) ISBN 1-879181-01-0
About syntonics, light color therapy, and the benefits of sunlight |
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Sunlight
Could Save Your Life
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by Zane R. Kime, MD, MS
(1980) ISBN 0-9604268-0-9
Dr. Kime gives the best explanation I've ever found on the effects
of sunlight on our health. This book, along with John Ott's
books, will give you a new appreciation for our sun! |
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Light,
Radiation, and You: How to Stay Healthy
*
by John Ott, ScD Hon
(1982) ISBN 0-8159-6121-9
John Ott discovered that health (and vision) problems arise when
we don't get enough full spectrum light from the sun. Very interesting
material. |
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Health
and Light: The Effects of Natural and Artificial Light on Man and
Other Living Things *
by John Ott, ScD Hon
(1973) ISBN 0-671-47433-2
This timeless book takes the mystery out of UV rays and makes sense
of the contradictory messages which abound in the media today about
whether or not sunlight is good for you. Includes examples of people
healing eye problems such as Grave's disease.
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Exploring
the spectrum (DVD) *
This video shows the work done
by John Ott; his time-lapse photography and his discoveries of
how sunlight affects the health of plants as well as humans.
A must see!!! Highly educational.
Here is an excellent 8 minute preview of the video on youtube
And here, for free, is the Exploring the Spectrum video on youtube!
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The
Healing Sun *
by Richard Hobday
(1999) ISBN 1 899171 97 5
This book is about Sunlight and Health. I met Richard
Hobday at a Bates Method conference in London, and really like
his work. Richard brings the work of John Ott and Zane Kime
into the 21st century. |
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The
Light Revolution
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by Richard Hobday
(2006) ISBN 978 1 84409 087 7
About Health Architecture and the Sun; an important topic that
is well worth your time. |
(* Affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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Brain
Gym (Teachers Edition: Revised)*
by Paul E Dennison and Gail E Dennison
(1992) ISBN 0942143051
Great material for dyslexic people.
Also check Paul's books Switching
on: The Whole Brain Answer to Dyslexia
and Vision
Gym: Playful Movements for Natural Seeing |
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The
Body has its Reasons
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by Therese Bertherat and Carol Bernstein
(1977) ISBN 0 394 41134 X
A book about increasing body awareness and improving posture without
'exercises'! Although learning practical skills is best
done in person rather than from a book, this book will certainly
point you in the right direction. It is based on the Mezieres
method, which combines very well with the Alexander Technique
and/or Feldenkrais work.
This method can be a major aid to clearing your vision, as you
learn how to recognize and release chronic tensions in your entire
body. |
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The
End of Diabetes
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by Joel Fuhrman
(2014) ISBN 978-0062219985
For healthy eyes, a healthy diet is extremely helpful. Those with
diabetes know how diet can negatively affect their sight. This
book may help you find the answers you need to change this problem
around. My best friend Bonnie switched to Dr. Fuhrman's 'Eat
to Live' diet and overcame her diabetes within two months.
No more insulin! Her doctor declared her to no longer be diabetic.
Wow! Your body and eyes deserve this chance too... |
(* Affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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Breathing
Development Books |
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Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing *
by Michael Grant White
(2003) ISBN 1-883417-38-4, available from The
Breathing Store
The art and science of improved respiration without drugs
or surgery. Valuable information.
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Free Your Breath, Free Your Life: How Conscious Breathing Can Relieve Stress, Increase Vitality, and Help You Live More Fully *
by Dennis Lewis (authentic-breathing.com)
(2004) ISBN 1-59030-133-1
How conscious breathing can relieve stress, increase vitality, and help
you live more fully. Great little book, lots of exercises to get you started.
Dennis also wrote The Tao of Natural Breathing (affiliate link) |
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Ways to Better Breathing
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by Carola Speads
(1978/1992) ISBN 0-89281-397-0 |
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Breathe Well, Be Well: A Program to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, Asthma, Hypertension, Migraine, and Other Disorders for Better Health
by Robert Fried, PhD *
(1999) ISBN 0-471-32436-1
Bob is a professor of Biopsychology and an expert on breathing physiology.
He is Director of the Stress and Biofeedback Clinic of the Albert Ellis
Institute for Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in New York City. His book
answers many questions about the science of breathing. |
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The Perceptible Breath - A Breathing Science *
by Ilse Middendorf (1990) |
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Dr. Breath: The Story of Breathing Coordination *
by Carl Stough (1970)
No longer in print, some (usually expensive) hardback copies are available
second hand.
It's definitely an inspirational story, yet it does not provide much
practical information. |
(* Affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
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Vision
books, other languages |
Kijk op de Nederlandstalige
boeken lijst.
Various Bates Method books in Italian can be found here: macrolibrarsi.it
Translations of books by:
ESTHER JOY VAN DER WERF
Visión Óptima (2023, Spanish) is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.es.
Leggere Senza Occhiali (2018, Italian) is available from
Amazon.com
and Amazon.it
DR. WILLIAM H. BATES
- Perfect Sight Without Glasses (1920) and/or the 1943 version
Better Eyesight Without Glasses has been translated
into many languages and is probably available in most countries.
MARGARET DARST CORBETT:
- Vea mas sin anteojos, (1990, translation of Quick
Guide To Better Vision)
- Curacion de la Vista, (1990)
- Yoga des yeux (1979)
- Besser Sehen, Selbsthilfe gegen Sehfehler, (translated
by Femina von Werz, 1955, 1999)
- Augentraining, (Help Yourself to Better Sight,
translated by Femina von Werz, 1973)
- Vedere meglio senza occhiali
JANET GOODRICH
- Spielend besser sehen fuer Kinder
- Bien Voir sans Lunettes (ISBN 9782904082399)
LEO ANGART
- Vergiss deine Brille (Translation of Improve your
Eyesight Naturally)
- Gesund am Computer (2005)
Suggestions of natural vision books to add to this list are welcome!
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ready for better vision?
Do you want to know how to improve eyesight naturally?
Check out the classes offered here!
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