calming Yoga poses increase concentrationBy Kimaya Singh

Do calming Yoga poses increase concentration? Many students today have numerous activities and obligations to fulfill. If you are one of these students, you know how difficult it may be to do your academic assignments and projects well, while still finding time for your family, friends, and hobbies. Your schedule may be so frenetic that you feel overwhelmed and unable to concentrate well on your studies. There are many Yoga poses that will help students like yourself to increase their ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand by promoting a sense of balance, calmness, and one-pointed concentration. So, what is an example of how calming Yoga poses increase concentration in a sequence?

 

Vrikshasana or Tree Pose

Just think of a tree when someone asks, “Do calming Yoga poses increase concentration?” Tree Pose is a very effective Yoga asana for promoting these qualities. Vrikshasana is a very accessible and powerful Yoga asana for centering and grounding your attention. This is a balancing standing Yoga posture that is best practiced after warming up with a series of Sun Salutations. For instructions on how to practice Sun Salutations, please refer to the following video and be aware that there are many different variations of the Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar).

 

After Warming Up

When you are warmed up, stand at the front of your mat in Mountain Pose. Feel the ground beneath you and make sure your weight is evenly distributed between your feet. With an inhale, bring your right foot up to your shin, below your knee, or above your knee. Place the sole of your foot flush against one of these areas depending on your level of flexibility. Do not place your foot directly against your knee, this could cause a knee injury.

 

Grounding

Exhale and center your balance on your left foot. With your next inhale, bring your arms over your head with your palms together. Expand your chest fully and reach for the sky as you ground fully into the earth. Find a point on the floor six to twelve inches in front of you and hold your gaze steadily on this point. This practice of dharana will help you to discipline your mind to concentrate with a one-pointed focus. It will also help you to balance in Tree Pose.

 

Hold Tree Pose

Hold this pose for three to five complete Yogic breaths. When you are ready to come out of the pose, come down slowly with your next exhale, release your right foot and place it back down on your mat next to your left foot. Pause to feel the elongation and expansion throughout your right hip, torso, shoulders, and neck. When you are ready, repeat Tree Pose on the left-hand side.

 

Do calming Yoga poses increase concentration? Well, they help a lot and a good mix of balancing asanas after morning Sun Salutations is a great start before breakfast. It must be remembered that Yoga is not only about poses alone. Learning to focus, proper breathing, off the mat posture, and how to relax your mind is also part of the Yoga lifestyle. Mix it up and don’t keep doing the same routine. Try different instructors, sequences, and styles. The change of pace will help refresh your body and mind.

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