Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice or discipline which has originated in India. Yoga uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation by which it makes you relax and helps you to reduce your emotional stress. There are specifically some Yoga postures that assures of enhancing concentration levels. Some Yoga poses for improving concentration and brain power are as follows –
Seated Meditative Pose
You can sit in the Padmasana (Lotus Pose) or arrange your legs in any other formation. Bring your hands together in the Namaskar Mudra, making sure both hands exert pressure on each other. This is to get rid of negative energy from the body and brings calmness in your mind thereby helping to concentrate at one point.
Tree Pose/Vrikshasana
This pose is a great way that you can balance your body, mind and soul at a horizontal plane and improve your concentration. Start with standing up straight. Slowly shift your weight on to your left leg. When you’re comfortable, try and grab a hold of your right foot and bring it as close to your groin region as possible. Raise your hands up over your head and join them in a Namaskar.
Eagle Pose/Garudasana
This helps to release tension from your shoulders and hips and also improves focussing abilities and concentration levels. Start with standing up straight. Now bend your right leg and cross it over the left knee. Continue to ‘wrap’ your right leg around the left by hooking your right foot around the left calve. Next, cross your right elbow above your left elbow and continue to ‘wrap’ both arms around each other.
Warrior III / Virbhardasana III
This is a pose which essentially makes you to practise on focusing and concentrating, along with strengthening your legs. Start with standing up straight. Raise both hands above your head. Shifting all your weight to your left leg, start to bend your torso forward at the same time extending your right leg straight back. In the final position your body should be in a ‘T’ position. Hold for 5 breaths.
Lord of the Dance Pose/Natrajasana
This pose is graceful and develops your concentration abilities effectively. Bend your right leg at the knee and grab the ankle with your right hand. Raise your left hand straight up. Slowly start to tilt forward. Push your right leg as high up as it will go, maintaining a hold on your ankle. Repeat on right side.
Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
Forward bends are known for helping to quieten the mind and relieve stress, thereby increasing concentration and focus. To do this pose, sit with your legs extended straight out in front of you, toes pointing up. On inhaling, open your chest and lengthen your spine. On exhaling, fold forward from the hips.
Crane Pose (Bakasana)
Arm balances is also good in order to have focus as well as concentraation. For this pose, put your feet and hips apart and maintain a squatting position. Place your hands on the floor, about 1 foot in front of your feet, shoulder-width apart, with your fingers spread. Fix your gaze on a point on the floor in front of you. Then, bring your knees to your armpits or triceps and slowly begin to shift your weight forward, lifting one foot off the ground, and then the other.
Thus on a concluding note, you should take out sometime from your hectic schedule and practice yoga for increasing concentration, peace of mind and healthy living.
