Five Yoga asanas to improve your brain power
With increasingly packed work schedules, unhealthy lifestyles, and high levels of stress and anxiety, your mental health is bound to take a toll. However, don't worry - follow the ancient Ayurvedic practice of Yoga, which relaxes your mind, improves blood flow, and enhances balance, thereby improving your overall brain function. Here are five Yoga asanas that can help improve your brain power.
- Bridge pose: It will calm your brain and nervous system
- Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand): It improves blood flow to the brain
- Halasana (Plow pose): It will help reduce stress and fatigue
- Vajrasana (Diamond pose): It improves blood flow and calms mind
- Shavasana (Corpse pose): It will help fight stress and anxiety
Bridge pose: It will calm your brain and nervous system
To perform the Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge pose)- lie down on your back, with your arms next to your body, and palms facing down. Now, bend your knees and and place your feet on floor. Further, taking support of your shoulders, arms and feet, lift your back off the floor. Keep breathing slowly and deeply. Maintain the posture for one minute. Relax, then repeat.
Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand): It improves blood flow to the brain
By strengthening your mind and body, enhancing flexibility, and stabilizing your nervous system, Sarvangasana helps improve your brain power. To perform it, lie down straight on your back, with your feet clung together. Now, slowly lift your legs upwards to form a 90 degree angle with your body. You may support your back with your palms, by bending your elbows on the mat.
Halasana (Plow pose): It will help reduce stress and fatigue
Halasana or the Plow pose will help improve blood flow to the brain, calm your nervous system, and fight stress and fatigue. From Shoulder stand position, bend your hips to bring your toes to the floor. Clasp your hands together and stretch out your forearms behind your back. Hold the position for as long as is comfortable for you. Relax, and then repeat.
Vajrasana (Diamond pose): It improves blood flow and calms mind
One of the simplest asanas, the Vajrasana (or the Diamond pose) can be performed right after having a meal. The pose calms the mind, improves digestion, and enhances blood circulation. To perform it, sit flat on the floor or mat, with thighs placed over your calf muscles. Stay in the position for a couple of minutes, and focus on your natural breathing rhythm.
Shavasana (Corpse pose): It will help fight stress and anxiety
Another simple yoga asana, the Shavasana or the corpse pose calms down your mind and the body. This way, it brushes off stress, anxiety, and depression, thereby improving your brain power. To perform Shavasana, lie down straight on your back, your arms freely opened on both sides, with palms facing upwards. Maintain the position for some minutes. Perform a few repetitions.
