Improving Memory and Concentration with Yoga

Improving Memory and Concentration with Yoga






Memory
is critical to our daily lives. Memory is the capacity to retain
information about past events, and helps us plan future events.
We should be aware of how our memories work, what changes occur in
memory over time, and how we can improve our memories as we get older.
Fortunately, most changes in memory are normal changes of the aging
process, or may be caused by temporary or treatable problems.
It is important to understand that there are memory problems in all age
groups. Children and teenagers seem to forget everything they've just
been told. Many adults are so busy and have so many distractions, they
just don't have time to remember everything. Seniors are more likely to
have difficulty remembering names, items on a list, or where they put
things. In general, no one has a "perfect" memory. Most of what happens
around us is forgotten because there's no need to remember everything.
We are bombarded with information all the time and the memory processes
only the information that we need to remember.
There are many yogic techniques that stimulate the brain and nervous system to improve memory and concentration.
1.Dharana-
or the practice of Concentration. Dharana affects and reduces the
occupied mind. The mind is kept firm at one place instead of letting it
wander here and there. This reduces strain on the mind. The
mental strength increases. With such habitual concentration, the work
is done effectively and efficiently. The daily practice of dharana
reduces the wavering attitude of mind and a different kind of peace can
be observed throughout the day. The sixth limb of yoga, is a state of
focused attention used during asana. 2.Pranayama
3.Meditation. Dharana trains the mind to become clear, focused and one-pointed.
In asana, using a drishti (gazing point), especially during balancing
postures, improves mental concentration. Spine lengthening postures,
the forward and back bending poses, activate the spinal column and
stimulate the nervous system.
Inverted postures nourish the brain by increasing circulation of blood and oxygen.
YOGA CAN PREVENT MEMORY
lapses by calming you and enhancing your concentration. It can also
improve your powers of recall by increasing circulation to your brain.
In pranayama, the mind is focused on the breath as it flows in and out
of the body. Oxygen and prana (energy) are also increased in the body
and brain by the regulation of breath. Thus, pranayama increases
concentration as well as nourishes the brain.
Meditation is a step beyond Dharna, requiring even more mental focus
and concentration. The practice of meditation either by itself or in
conjunction with asana and pranayama un-clutters the mind by reducing
excessive thinking. Excessive thinking consumes mental energy and fogs
the mind from seeing and thinking clearly. Meditation on the sixth
chakra or third eye will activate the brain as well as focus the mind.
Daily meditation helps with memory. Sit quietly in a comfortable
position and start silently counting backward from 50. As your
concentration improves, you can move the starting count higher, to 100,
200 or even 500. This exercise will improve your concentration and help
you remember things better.
While you practice these poses, focus on your physical sensations and
breathing. When your mind wanders, gently remind yourself to notice
what's happening in your body.
Open-Legged Forward Bend
1.Stand
tall with your feet about 3 feet apart. Pivot on the balls of your feet
to turn your heels out slightly. Imagine you are squeezing a beach ball
between your thighs throughout this pose; this will help you keep your
balance. Lift your chest toward the ceiling and inhale.
2.Exhale
as you slowly bend forward from your hips with a flat back until you
can touch the floor with the palms of your hands, keeping them
shoulder-width apart. You may need to stack books on the floor in front
of you and rest your hands on them. Inhale and lengthen your spine.
3.Exhale
and lower your torso toward your knees. Look at the wall behind you.
Bend your elbows to point toward that wall. If you're very flexible,
you may be able to move your hands in line with your toes, and your
head may touch the floor, as pictured. Otherwise, let your torso and
head hang loosely. Press your shoulders away from your ears. Hold for 3
to 10 deep breaths.
4.To release,
put your hands on your hips, press down into your feet, and maintain a
flat back as you return to the standing position. Step your feet
together and pause for several breaths Sirshasana The
headstand is one of the most powerfully beneficial postures for both
the body and mind. It rest the heart and aids in circulation. Improves
memory and concentration.
Abundant blood is supplied to the brain when practice sirshasana, thus improving memory and increasing intellectual powers.
After an initial child's pose there are eight steps to carefully follow in order to practice the headstand properly:
1.Kneel down and grab your elbows with your hands
2.Keep the elbows where they are and interlock the fingers in front of you. Elbows and hands now form an equilateral triangle. 3.Place the very top of your head on the floor with the back of your head resting against the fingers
4.Straighten
the knees, raise your hips, your body now resembling an inverted V. The
weight should be about equally distributed between your head/arms and
the feet
5.Keeping your knees
straight as much as possible, walk with little steps, bringing your
feet as close as possible to your head. This will shift the weight from
the feet onto the head/arms. Keep your back as straight as possible to
prevent your neck from arching
6.Bend the knees keeping them close to the chest and your feet close to your buttocks. Shift the hips to keep your balance
7.Keep your knees bent and point them to sky
8.Now
and only now straighten your legs. Keep your feet relaxed. Make sure
that the head is supporting no more than 10% of your body weight, the
rest being applied on the elbows. At first hold it for 5 seconds.
Increase gradually to 10 to 15 minutes.
Exercise boosts circulation,
including blood flow to the brain, which uses a full 25 percent of the
oxygen that enters our lungs. It also bolsters brain-nurturing
chemicals and reduces stress, which has been shown to damage the brain.
Physical activity can also ease depression, which slows thinking and
may precede the onset of Alzheimer's. Read more:
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thank walla about this topic
sooo nice i like it

and i found yoga is silent moment to clear our mind and feel peas and calm

yoga is a good exercises but i found that in our pray its is more useful cox it has the same aims that makes u peaceful
and calm our soul and in the same time close us to god