Since ancient times, yoga has been practiced to maintain the well-being of the body, mind, and soul. Traditionally, yoga is involved four main paths, which foster harmony between the physical, intellectual, and emotional aspects of human life. Today, we will talk about the harmonious connection between intellectual and emotional aspects of life, which happens by doing regular brain yoga exercises.
If you will go through this article, you will get to know about various yoga poses for brain health and how they are beneficial for boosting mental health. So, without further ado, let’s start the discussion.
6 Brain Yoga Exercises & Their Benefits
To keep your brain healthy, you need to do exercises. How about trying brain yoga exercises? Here are 6 yoga poses that you can try to improve your brain power and functioning. Let’s get to know how they can help you:
1. Padmasana
Doing Lotus pose, also known as Padmasana, regularly has myriad benefits. Besides the physical health benefits, this yoga pose is also beneficial in keeping the mind tension-free and relaxed. The regulated breathing that you practice while doing this yoga pose helps you feel free from all kinds of negative, depressing emotions. Practicing it regularly helps reduce the stress hormone production and thus alleviate mental stress.
Steps
- Sit with both the legs ahead and feet apart.
- Lift your right foot, bend the knee, put the feet on the left thigh facing up to the ceiling.
- Put both the hands-on floor and start pressing your knee down.
- Repeat the same with the left leg.
2. Vajrasana
The diamond pose, also named Vajrasana, is one of the best yoga asanas for increasing concentration. Doing the deep and focused breathing while practicing this yoga pose, your mind gets calmed down and your brain can concentrate on one single thing at a time without being distracted. The more you do the breathing exercise in the diamond pose, your mind becomes relaxed and free from anxiety and negative thoughts.
How to Do?
- Take and yoga mat and kneel on it.
- Pull knees and ankles together and point feet in line with your legs.
- Exhale and sit on your legs with your back straight.
- Put hands-on thighs and be in a comfortable pose.
- Breathe in and out slowly, close your eyes, and relax your shoulder and hand muscles.
3. Paschtimottanasana
The Seated forward pose or Paschtimottanasana is an excellent yoga pose for improving mental health. Regular practice of this yoga calms the brain, relieves mental fatigue and anxiety, and heals mild depression. As it keeps the brain stress-free and relaxed, you can sleep better.
Steps
- Sit with your legs stretched out and erect your spine.
- Breathe in, stretch, and raise both the arms above head.
- Breathe out and bend forward towards the toes.
- Repeat the movement two-three times and then hold the bending posture for a few breaths.
4. Sirsasana
Headstand or Sirsasana is one of those yoga poses that increase blood flow to the brain. This is an effective yoga pose for brain blood circulation. Practicing headstands regularly improves brain function and sense of focus. In addition, it helps you feel less anxious. It also helps you keep a clear head.
How to Do?
- From standing position, lower down to squatting position.
- The balance on toes with arms between the knees.
- Rest the knees on the ground and place hands and forearms straight.
- Spread the knees and let your buttocks rest on heels.
- Interlock your fingers and create a bowl-like shape with your hands.
- Place your head between the palms.
- Extend the legs and raise the buttocks.
- Walk on your feet towards the hands.
- Slowly lift one foot and then raise another one.
- Hold the pose for few seconds.
- Initially take the support of the wall.
Benefits
- Immediately calms the body and mind.
- Strengthens arms and legs.
- Tones lower abdominal.
- Enhances digestion.
- Cures asthma.
- Boosts memory power.
5. Legs on a Chair Pose
The Leg on a chair yoga pose is helpful in increasing concentration and memory. This yoga pose for improving concentration and memory calms the nervous system, keeps the mind worry-free, improves mental function, and boosts brain processing abilities.
Steps
- Lie down on a yoga mat or a blanket and place a chair in front.
- The chair should not be too high nor too low.
- Place your legs on the chair with knees at 90 degrees.
- Close your eyes and relax your body as if you are melting on the floor.
- Hold the pose for a few minutes and release it a few minutes.
6. Savasana
Savasana, also known as Corpse pose, is one of the easiest yoga poses to perform but very tough to master. If you practice it daily and become a pro, it will help you have a relaxed mind and allow you to explore your body from deep within. It relieves anxiety, mental fatigue, stress, and depression. In addition, it helps you have better sleep.
How to Do?
- Lie flat on your back without any support or cushion.
- Keep the legs apart, relaxed, and toes facing to the sides.
- Place arms alongside facing upwards.
- Close your eyes and bring your awareness to every body part one by one.
- Keep breathing normally and relax.
How Does Yoga Help Improve Brain Blood Circulation?
Yoga asanas play an important role in improving brain blood circulation. According to a study, regular yoga practice has a positive effect on cerebral blood flow and brain structures. There are different yoga poses that increase the blood flow to the brain and help activate the brain cells. Another research shows that some yoga poses are helpful in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder, a neurological and brain developmental disorder. Practicing specific yoga poses daily improves concentration, sense of focus, and cognitive function.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How can yoga help improve concentration?
Best yoga poses or pranayama for brain health are involved with inversions and regulated breathing practice. To master these poses, you need to concentrate a lot. These yoga poses improve blood circulation to the brain, allow the brain to receive more oxygen, and keep the mind calm. As a result, your concentration power, brain alertness, memory, and awareness get improved.
- Which Kriya improves concentration?
Tratak Kriya is considered to help improve concentration.
- What part of the brain does yoga activate?
Yoga practice has a positive effect on the function of the hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and cingulate cortex of brain structure.
The bottom line,
There are different styles of yoga. However, yoga practices are mainly involved stretching, breathing, and meditation. Therefore doing regular yoga not just helps you have a healthy body but also stimulates your brain function and improves mental health.
What are you waiting for? Explore various yoga poses and maintain a regular routine of practicing some particular brain yoga exercises to have a healthy body and happy mind.
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