How to use yoga to awaken brain power?

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Stress, anxiety, and the pressure gifted by the daily hustle and bustle of life takes a toll on your brain’s performance. Aging is another factor that encourages a downward drop in the brain power. Such a latent brain issueneeds to be identified and addressedat the earliest.

Already the number of people who suffer from mental health concerns is spiraling. Nearly 1 in 6 people experience a typical psychiatric health issue in a given week. Moreover, these health concerns fall among the leading diseases that burden the world.

Cognitive decline can culminate in critical degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia. So, before you are left wondering about what causes dementia,it is wise to improve brain performance. Here is an in-depth look at the role that yoga plays in boosting brain power.

How does yoga awaken brain power?

Yoga is known for its numerous health benefits covering psycological, spiritual as well as physical well-being. A 2012 study found that 8.7% of the US population practiced yoga while 44.4% of people are aiming to pursue it. On a global scale, the UN reports that about 2 billion individuals reap the health benefitsof yoga.

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In general, extensive research confirms the advantages of yoga for your mental wellness. A study indicates that yoga is good for enhancing brain power, in particular, too. The study found that yoga is better than brain training for improving cognitive performance.

The participant pool consisted of individuals who suffered from mild cognitive impairment. These people were split up into two groups. One of these groups was asked to perform yoga, while others practiced memory-training exercises. The end results showed that both the methods helped to improve verbal memory. However, only yoga proved to show excellent improvements in the participants’ visual-spatial memory.

Furthermore, researchers at the University of Illinois confirm yoga’s role in awakening brain power. They highlight that hatha yoga may help improve focus and information retention in the brain. The downward dog pose is credited for not only reducing stress but also for multiplying brain function.

Using yoga to improve brain power

Multiple yoga poses are applauded for strengthening the brain and enhancing focus and attention.

Here is an overview of thekeyyoga poses that jack up brain power:

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The brain is a crucial part of the human body, a marvel, and you must take care of it by practicing Super Brain Yoga. The SBY is a simple squatting exercise that doesn’t involve any turning or twisting of the body.

In fact, it is an easy process that improves your mental health and maintains it consistently; enhancing efficiency and functioning. Dr. Joie P. Jones’ research tried to prove the authenticity of Super Brain Yoga. The files show that the practice effectively activated the acupuncture points of your ears to stimulate your mind. It can make you more psychologically balanced.It works well for autistic people, and people with ADHD.

If you practice Super Brain Yoga well, it helps the energy trapped in the lower parts of your body rise to the brain and improve intelligence. It is a simple squat exercise that offersseveral brain benefits. It is helpful not only for youngsters but also adults and seniors that seek brain wellness. You only have topractice the right posture and once you are in position, place your tongue on the upper part of your mouth, right behind the teeth.

Next, lift your arm and take it across the upper body to reach the right earlobe and hold it with your left hand’s index finger and thumb. Do the same with your right hand and make sure the thumb is facing the front. Now, press both your lobes with your fingers and make sure the left arm is placed closer to the heart and tucked inside the right arm.

Once your position becomes steady, take a deep breath and squat down, holding your breath. Hold your breath till you rise from the squat. Then breathe out properly. Repeat the process at least 20 times and don’t let go of your tongue.

Here’s a video on how you can do this pose.

Research reveals that this exercise uses the body’s centers of energy that absorb and distribute energy to various body parts. These primary energy powerhouses are significant acupuncture points. Acupressure points for the eyes, brain, forehead, and temples are located around the ears. These points are stimulated by the exercise, which triggers neuropathways that help improve brain power.

2. Mountain Pose or Tadasana

This standing pose entails standing with your arms on the side, feet together, and the fingers directed down toward the ground. You must ensure that your pelvis is neutral and the abdomen is engaged. Then, broaden the collarbone and roll shoulders backward. Maintain your chin in a parallel position to the ground. Breathe in and out while uttering a gentle ‘ha’ sound when your exhale.

Breathing as part of yoga is excellent for your brain. Breathing via the right nostril activates the left brain and vice versa. The mounting pose assists you in concentrating on your breathing, which helps you relax. It can also alleviate insomnia and headache.

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3. Humming bee breathing

This is Prayanama (breathwork) technique that is closely associated with combatting anxiety. The pose gets its name from the humming beenoisethat you generate as you practice it. The sound is considered to be relaxing for the mind. Moreover, it stretches the exhalation process without causing any undue strain.

Humming bee breathing correlates with calming the mind, fighting anxiety, and enhancing memory and concentration. It also rids the mind of negative emotions such as frustration and anger. Start with seating comfortably with your back tall. Make sure that your shoulders are relaxed.

Take a few natural breaths before closing your eyes. In the next step, seal your lips tightly and inhale via your nose. When you exhale, make the sound of the alphabet, ‘M.’ This is basically a humming sound. Try to maintain it until you inhale again. Then, repeat the drill. Carry on for as long as you are comfortable with it.

4. Shoulder stand or Sarvangasana

This pose is a bit challenging to master. Therefore, it is best to practice it under the supervision of a yoga practitioner. It commences by lying on your back and slowly lifting yourlegs in the air. Your legs need to be in full control as you extend them. Meanwhile, your elbows should rest on the ground, and your hands should be positioned beneath the hips.

Start inhaling as you slowly lift your pelvis and trunk off the floor/yoga mat. Keep lifting until your chin touches your chest. At this point, you have to hold your position and breath. Exhale gradually as you lower your torso, pelvis and legs.

Here’s a video on how to do it right.

This pose helps regulate the functioning of your thyroid, which corresponds with improving cognitive functioning. Sarvangasana also promotes more blood flow to the hypothalamus and pineal glands, which nourishes the brain. In doing so, this pose helps improve cognitive functioning.

5. Seated Forward Bend or Paschimottanasana

This type of yoga pose revives the nervous system, calms the mind, and stretches the spine which helps relax. Besides, it boosts blood supply, which is also useful for enhancing brain power by carrying more oxygen and nutrients to the brain. You can start with this pose by sitting on a yoga mat and stretch your legs. Rock on each bottom by turn. Press your thighs slighting into the floor and turn them in slightly.

Next, press your palms along with the fingertips into the ground and lift your sternum up to the roof. Breathe in and lean forward from your hips. Keep your arms extended with straight elbows. Don’t bend from the waist region.As an alternative, if your hand cannot touch your feet, use a strap that loops around your feet and holdon to it.

Feel your lower belly rubagainst the thighs lightly. This will be followed by your upper abdomen grazing your legs. Ribs come second last, and your head will be the last to come up. To reverse the pose, lift the torso slowly and straighten the elbows. Breath in as you come up.

Here’s a video to help you do the pose correctly.

Final thoughts

Conclusively, yoga is an excellent solution for lots of health concerns including backaches, insomnia, and more. It also plays a fundamental role in boosting mental well-being including improved brain power.