Introduction
In order to improve the power and functioning of the brain, yoga harnesses the body's innate capability. Yoga helps to improve IQ and acts as a cognitive boost as it increases memory and benefits health, coordination, and reaction time. It helps to relieve stress which enhances the operation of the brain. As the brain needs oxygen to survive, oxygen is released through yogic breathing and deep breathing exercises fed to the brain. Yoga can improve brain functions such as attention, cognition, processing of sensory information, and visual perception, which helps increase IQ levels. There is an increase in blood flow while practicing hatha yoga and om chanting, which will soothe the mind and improve the level of concentration, and there is also a massive enhancement in memory. Breathing through the left nostril activates the right brain and vice versa. Among professionals and educators, super-brain yoga is becoming popular. They are a series of simple yoga poses.
What Are the Yogic Techniques to Improve Memory and Concentration?
Yogic techniques stimulate the brain and nervous system to improve memory and concentration. They include dharana and meditation.
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Dharana is the practice of concentration, fixes the wandering mind, and focuses on one place. Concentration helps to evolve quickly as the mind gets peaceful. It helps to do work with greater efficiency and at a faster rate than others. Concentration also purifies and calms surgical emotions. It clarifies the ideas and strengthens the current of thought. It trains the mind to become clear, focused, and directional.
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Meditation is one step ahead of Dharana. It needs more mental focus and concentration to practice this. It helps to focus the mind when there are disturbances from the outside world. It provides rest for the mind and also improves memory. Improving IQ through this yogic practice positively impacts the brain and mind. The practice of meditation by itself or along with asana and pranayama solaces the mind by reducing excessive thinking.
What Are Pranayamas and Yoga Asanas for a More Efficient Brain?
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Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breathing): It improves concentration, memory and builds confidence. It releases negative emotions like anger, anxiety, agitation, and frustration.
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Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend): It stretches the spine and helps relieve stress. It relaxes the mind by removing negative emotions like irritability and anger. In this pose, arms are stretched straight towards the ceiling, and the spine is kept straight with legs stretched forward and toes flexed. While exhaling, hinge at the hips and bend forwards. The spine is stretched with each inhale, bending further forward with each exhale. Belly should come close to the thighs, and the spine will elongate better. Then bend forward and try reaching the toes. After bending forward, hold the ankle or toe and keep the feet flexed throughout. Hold this position for some time. While inhaling, come up to a sitting position and lower the arms slowly while exhaling. The forward bend enhances mood and releases stress. It gives an excellent stretch to the back of the body.
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Sethu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose): It improves blood circulation to the brain and helps to calm the brain and nervous system, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
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Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand): The brain is more nourished as more blood reaches the pineal and hypothalamus glands and helps improve all cognitive functions.
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Halasana (Plow Pose): It helps improve blood flow to the brain and calms the nervous system. It reduces stress and fatigue by stretching the back and neck. It is one of the most effective yoga for brain nerves. In this pose, lie down on your back with arms placed by side and palms facing downwards. Inhale and lift the feet off the floor vertically at an angle of ninety degrees using abdominal muscles. Breathe normally, support hips and back with hands, and lift them off the ground. Sweep your leg over the head at an angle of 180 degrees until your toes touch the floor. Back should be kept perpendicular to the ground. Hold the position for a minute and relax with each breath while holding the posture. After that, exhale and bring your legs slowly down.
How to Do Super Brain Yoga?
Stand tall and straight with arms by the side. Lift the left arm and hold the right earlobe with the thumb and index finger; the thumb should be in front. Then lift the right arm and hold the left earlobe. The right arm should be over the left arm. Inhale deeply and squat down slowly to a sitting position. Stay in this position for two to three seconds. Gently exhale while raising again. This will complete one cycle. This cycle can be repeated fifteen times every day.
What Are the Benefits of Super Brain Yoga?
Super brain yoga helps the brain by keeping calm and distributing energy levels, synchronizes the left and right sides of the brain, stimulates thinking capacity, increases mental energy, develops cognitive powers, and makes people more creative. It also improves concentration and memory power. It boosts decision-making skills and relieves stress or behavioral problems. This brain exercise especially helps patients with Alzheimer's, dyslexia, with Down's syndrome, among others.
How Does Brain Power Increase With Meditation?
Meditation makes memorable changes in brain regions associated with memory, empathy, and stress. Meditation is a means to increase brain power as it is associated with a thicker cerebral cortex and more gray matter. These are the brain's parts linked to decision-making and memory.
Conclusion
For overall health, nourishing the brain is equally important to improve IQ. Yoga and exercise are essential for brain health and physical fitness. Physical and mental health is vital for overall well-being; the brain governs most of the body's functions.