YOGA TIPS

STRENGTHENING YOUR CONCENTRATION WITH YOGA

Do you ever find it hard to concentrate or become easily distracted? Regular yoga practice may help. Not only does the exercise help stimulate blood flow to the brain, yoga breathing and relaxation techniques can improve your concentration and relieve stress.

Meditation is an essential part of yoga. During meditation, you are required to clear your mind of all thought and focus on one specific thing, usually breathing. Yoga instructors will tell you to feel the breath enter and leave your body, taking with it any stress.

Once all tension and confusing thought has left your mind, all you are left with is calm. A calm mind allows you to focus on other things, such a book you may be reading. Being able to quiet your mind through yoga can provide you with the tools necessary to improve your concentration.

Improved concentration in turn will allow you to improve your IQ. Scientific evidence has shown that increased concentration leads to better memory retention. The more information you are able to retain, the greater potential you have to increase your IQ. IQ does not only have to do with memory recall. It also concerns your ability to think spatially and logically.

Yoga allows you to block or suppress all negative and confusing thoughts through meditation. Developing proper meditation techniques takes place over time and once mastered can be used anywhere.

One very simple technique takes just a few minutes. First, find a quiet corner and if possible sit cross-legged on the floor. Close your eyes and begin to breath deeply, focusing on each breath in and out. Start to feel the changes in your body, the relaxation of your organs and muscles. Begin to count your breaths in to 20. In the same posture and still with eyes closed, begin to count your breaths out to 40. Feel the tension release with each breath. Feel the sensation down your spine as each breath enters and leaves your body. Now count backwards from 10 to end the exercise.
If you have a complicated task to perform and start to feel the pressure bearing down on you, try meditating for a few moments to heighten your awareness and relax your thoughts. By meditating, you will think more clearly. Being able to think clearly allows you to better organize your thoughts about the task.

Students could also benefit from the calming effects of yoga and meditation. A great yoga workout gets the blood flowing to the brain and invigorates the body. Having a study session after yoga can allow you to have a more productive session. The physical activity produces endorphins which are the bodies ‘no-doze’ pills. Yoga and meditation could just help you stay awake for those late night cram sessions!

You may also find that yoga increase your capacity for patience. Through relaxation techniques learned in yoga, you will be better able to cope with situations and people you find frustrating. Being able to think more clearly during these encounters will provide you with the tools necessary to have better two-way communication with these people and reach an understanding.

Christine Dignam

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