Have you ever been deep into a yoga session, closed your eyes, and noticed swirling orange or yellow colors moving through your vision?

Many people describe this experience as feeling like they can “see their blood flow” moving through their head. While it can feel unusual, there are several scientific explanations for what may be happening.

You’re Probably Not Seeing Blood Directly

Although it may feel as though you’re watching blood move through your head, what you’re actually experiencing is more likely a visual phenomenon created by your eyes and brain.

Even when your eyes are closed, your visual system remains active. The retina continues to send signals to the brain, and the visual cortex continues processing information.

Under certain conditions, these internal visual signals can become more noticeable.

Entoptic Phenomena: Seeing Inside Your Own Visual System

Scientists use the term entoptic phenomena to describe visual effects that originate from structures within the eye itself.

These can include:

  • Perceived movement of blood vessels in the retina
  • Random firing of retinal cells
  • Changes in circulation around the eyes
  • Visual patterns generated internally by the visual system

These effects often appear as:

  • Swirling colors
  • Pulsing lights
  • Flowing cloud-like patterns
  • Orange, yellow, red, or purple shapes

Increased Blood Flow During Yoga

Intense yoga can temporarily increase blood flow and pressure around the head and eyes, especially during poses and practices such as:

  • Downward Dog
  • Headstands
  • Shoulder Stands
  • Deep breathing exercises
  • Breath retention techniques

As circulation changes, internal visual activity may become more noticeable, particularly when your eyes are closed.

What Are Phosphenes?

Another possible explanation is a phenomenon called phosphenes.

Phosphenes are visual sensations that occur without actual light entering the eye.

They can be triggered by:

  • Physical pressure around the eyes
  • Intense exercise
  • Changes in blood pressure
  • Deep meditation
  • Prolonged concentration

Many people experience phosphenes as flashes, moving lights, or colorful patterns.

Why Orange and Yellow?

The orange and yellow colors are especially common because closed eyelids naturally filter ambient light.

Even in a dim room, small amounts of light passing through the eyelids often create reddish, orange, or golden tones that blend with internally generated visual effects.

Meditation and Visual Experiences

Experienced yoga practitioners and meditators frequently report seeing:

  • Geometric patterns
  • Flowing colors
  • Bright golden lights
  • Tunnel-like visuals
  • Pulsing energy-like movement

From a neuroscience perspective, these experiences are generally thought to arise from spontaneous activity within the visual processing regions of the brain.

When Should You Be Concerned?

In most cases, these visual experiences are harmless if they:

  • Occur only during exercise, yoga, or meditation
  • Fade shortly afterward
  • Do not affect normal vision

However, you should seek medical attention if you experience:

  • Sudden flashes with your eyes open
  • Loss of vision
  • Dark shadows or curtains across your vision
  • Severe headaches
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Symptoms that worsen over time

Final Thoughts

Seeing orange and yellow patterns with your eyes closed during intense yoga is usually a normal result of how the eyes, brain, and circulatory system interact during physical exertion and deep concentration.

While it may feel like you’re observing blood flowing through your head, you’re more likely experiencing a combination of entoptic phenomena, phosphenes, and increased awareness of your visual system’s internal activity.

The next time it happens, pay attention to whether the movement seems synchronized with your heartbeat or whether it drifts like clouds or smoke. That small detail can provide additional clues about what your visual system is doing behind the scenes.