Train Your Brain With Yoga

Mental tension, anxiety, and stress are prevalent in our daily lives in the modern world. Sadly, the detrimental effects of these factors may cause problems with attention, concentration, and memory. But there is a way to deal with these problems, and that way is yoga.

“People who practise yoga can achieve a relaxed state of mind, which can enhance their focus, memory, and ability to pay attention,” says Dr Rajeev Rajesh, chief yoga officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute.

“Young adolescents who practise yoga in educational settings have shown to benefit in a number of areas. Yoga’s significance has also been shown through research on adult population because it is more effective than exercise at enhancing psychological outcome. Additionally, studies contrasting yoga and physical education have found that yoga is better for students,” says Dr Rajeev.

Natrajasana

Start by taking a straight stance with your feet together. Stretch the left leg back by bending it. By pulling back the left hand, you can hold the left big toe. Straighten out your left hand. Raise your right hand, fingers pointing upward and palms facing forward. Maintain a straight right leg on the ground. Maintain the posture while breathing normally. Lower the left leg after lowering the right hand to end the pose. Continue by moving the right leg. This position balances the brain and enhances memory and concentration.

Tadasana

Maintain a straight posture by putting your feet together. Look ahead at the level of the eyes. The fingers on both hands should be interlocked. While inhaling, raise your hands and heels. Palms should be facing up. While breathing normally, hold the position for 15 to 20 seconds. As you exhale, slowly lower your heels and hands. Stretching the entire body increases blood flow. It assists people in becoming more focused.

Anuloma Viloma

Seated in a meditative position for Anuloma Viloma. Using your right hand, make the nasika mudra. Then, after holding the breath for five seconds, close the left nostril with the ring finger, release the thumb from the right nostril, and slowly exhale. To do this, close the right nostril with the thumb. Next, slowly inhale through the left nostril. As you breathe in, close your right nostril with your thumb after holding your breath for five seconds through the right nostril. Slowly exhale after taking the ring finger out of your left nostril. Repeat. It removes pranic blockages, cleanses the physical and mental bodies, fortifies the immune system, and enhances mental focus, willpower, and memory.

Bhramari Pranayama

Find a comfortable seated position on the floor, in a chair, or on the bed before beginning Bhramari breathing. If sitting cross-legged or kneeling with support from a cushion or blanket is more comfortable for you, do so. To unwind, close your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. Keep your spine stretched and concentrate on your breathing and the surroundings. Next, place your thumbs gently on the ear cartilage that is located just below your cheekbones and use your middle and index fingers to close your eyes. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and as you exhale, make a humming or buzzing sound with your throat and nose. Feel the vibration in your brain as you do this. Repeat for at least six cycles, or as many as you want. Bhramari improves memory and calms the mind.

Improves blood circulation

Dr Rajeev Rajesh lists a few asanas to improve focus and memory

1. While pranayama, or yoga breathing, helps to push nutrients to the vessels and capillaries, stretching involved in yoga poses helps to oxygenate and rejuvenate the blood.
2. Improved circulation occurs as a result of concentrated breathing because it activates the diaphragm, which pulls down and increases pressure in the abdomen, compressing abdominal veins and pushing blood towards the chest and heart.
3. Inversion-based yoga poses, such as headstands and shoulder stands, can also improve blood flow to the brain. Because of the increased blood flow, the brain receives more oxygen, which improves focus, memory, and alertness.