Scatter-Brained? Boost your Brain Power with These Yoga Tips
Many yoga poses require a steady focus on a fixed point. Such poses are particularly helpful to sharpen one’s mental focus.
One of the greatest challenges facing today’s generations is a lack of mental focus. As we make huge strides in technology and media, it becomes difficult to maintain a sharp mental focus. Our senses are bombarded by various stimuli vying for our attention.
Maintaining one’s focus and attention has never been a greater challenge. The good news is, here is where yoga can help. There are many aspects to yogic asanas which bring balance and stability to the body and mind. A few asanas where you are required to keep a steady gaze are especially effective at boosting mental focus. Let’s take a look at these.
Tree Pose or Vrikshasana
In this pose, one learns to maintain stability and balance. Stand tall and straight and bend your right knee and place the right foot high up on the left thigh. Ensure the left leg is straight and find the balance. Once you are well-balanced raise your palms and bring it together in Namaste mudra. Keep your gaze steady and look ahead.
Warrior Pose or Virabadrasana
Begin by standing with your feet hip-distance apart and arms by the sides. Breathe smoothly and bring awareness to the present moment. Turn left and step your feet wide apart about 4 to 5 feet. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees so your toes point to the top of the mat. Pivot your left foot inward at a 45-degree angle. Point your pelvis and torso in the same direction as your right toes are pointing. Bend your right knee over your right ankle so your shin is perpendicular to the floor. Raise your arms overhead with your palms facing each other. Press your weight onto your right foot. Lift your left leg as you lower the torso bringing the body parallel to the ground. Your arms still extended now reach forward and gaze at a point in front of you.
Forward Bend or Paschimottanasana
Sit up with the legs stretched out straight in front of you, keeping the spine erect and toes flexed toward you. Breathing in, raise both arms above your head and stretch up. Breathing out, bend forward from the hip joints, chin moving toward the toes. Keep the spine erect focusing on moving forwards towards the toes, rather than down towards the knees. Place your hands on your legs, wherever they reach, without forcing. If you can, take hold of your toes and pull on them to help you go forward.
These above poses combined with breathing techniques can help one sharpen their mental focus.
