5 yoga asanas to strengthen your mind
With increasingly packed work schedules, unhealthy lifestyles, and high levels of stress and anxiety, your mental health is bound to take a toll. Yoga can help relax your mind, improve your blood flow, and enhance your balance, thereby improving your overall brain function. Here are five yoga asanas (poses) that can help strengthen your mind.
Lie down on your back with your arms next to your body and palms facing down. Now, bend your knees and place your feet on the floor. Taking the 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. This helps calm your brain and nervous system.
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. This pose helps in strengthening both your mind and body, enhancing physical flexibility, and stabilizing your nervous system.
From the 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. This will help improve blood flow to the brain, calm your nervous system, and fight stress and fatigue.
Sit flat on the floor or a mat with your thighs placed over your calf muscles. Stay in the position for a couple of minutes and focus on your natural breathing rhythm. This simple pose calms the mind, improves digestion, and enhances blood circulation. The Vajrasana can be performed right after having a meal.
Lie down straight on your back. Your arms should be freely opened on both sides with the palms facing upwards. Relax and maintain the position for some minutes. Perform a few repetitions. Another simple pose, the Shavasana helps combat stress, anxiety, and depression. It is known to help calm both your mind and body.
