Yoga for the brain

The benefits of yoga will continue to astound you as much as it astounds us. Yoga for the brain is highly effective. Research shows that regular yoga practice enhances brain function by providing complete blood circulation to the brain, even to the extent that it increases the size of memory centres in the brain and increases grey matter.

“Super Brain Yoga”, has emerged due to the many benefits that yoga for the brain has such as development and healing. It helps us to view the brain as any other body organ, also in need of exercise and rest.

The foremost benefit of yoga for the brain is that it sends large amounts of fresh oxygen through blood circulation to the brain. A well-oxygenated brain is a natural defence against anxiety, depression, and mood swings. It also helps in concentration, focus, reasoning, and other cognitive activities.

Super brain yoga: Yoga for the brain work wonders.

1. The Lotus Pose:

This asana relaxes the brain by supplying good blood circulation to the brain, helps you unwind and relieve muscular tension. The lotus pose is the classic meditative pose of the yogi.

Steps:

1. Seated on the floor with your spine erect, stretch your legs forward.
2. Place the soles of your right foot over your left thigh, and your left foot on your right thigh, as though reflecting a lotus flower.
3. Put your palms on your thigh, in the mudra of your choice.
4. Stay in this seated position and follow a deep breathing pattern.

2. Bridge Pose

The bridge pose is a restorative pose that works to heal the organs and encourages introspection. This pose revitalizes the body’s nervous system and sends freshly oxygenated blood through blood circulation to your brain. This pose also boosts blood supply to the brain, helps treat migraines and rogue headaches.

Steps:

1. Lay flat on your yoga mat with your knees bent and legs slightly apart, in line with your hips.
2. Let your palms face downward reaching towards your feet.
3. Lift your body up as high as you can as you support yourself, roll your shoulders back underneath your body, clasp your hands if you have to.
4. Hold this for 5-8 deep breaths and slowly bring your body back to the floor.

SARVA Tip - Use Yoga blocks to support yourself, if you are unable to hold the pose.

3. Seated Forward Bend

This seated forward bend is one of the most beneficial poses in yoga for the brain practice. The forward bend stretches the entire backside from head to heel, stimulating internal organs, supplies more amount of oxygen by the blood circulation to the brain and hence soothes the entire nervous system.

Steps:

1. Sit on your mat with your back straight and legs stretched out in front, rock your body as to be seated away from your sitting bone.
2. With a deep inhale, extend your spine and reach towards your feet, holding the sides of your sole.
3. If unable you are to reach this at first, ease into it slowly with rocking movements.
4. Your head should touch your thighs. Hold the pose for a few deep breaths.
5. SARVA Tip- Use a strap if you find it hard to bend all the way in.

4. Channel cleaning breath- Nadi Shodhana

Yoga for the brain not only includes asanas but also pranayama practice. This is a cleansing exercise that focuses on clearing negative energy from the body and oxygenates the blood, provides good blood circulation to the brain, increases memory space and grey matter. A practice of this breathing exercise also denotes longevity.

Steps:

1. Stay seated in the lotus pose and cover your right nostril with your right thumb and breathe in from your left nostril.
2. Now close both nostrils and hold your breath.
3. Keeping your left nostril covered slowly exhale completely from your right nostril.
4. Now, take a deep breath with your right nostril and cover both nostrils holding your breath.
5. Release the left nostril and exhale slowly.
6. Repeat this exercise for 5 minutes to feel super brain activation.

Yoga for the brain is an ideal way of exercise to keep your brain alert and focused by supplying sufficient blood circulation to the brain. People with Alzheimer's, ADHD, Depression and General anxiety disorders show substantial improvement when yoga is integrated into their routine.