Do you ever feel that your mind is constantly rushing and isn’t able to relax? There can be times when you forcefully need to shut your brain. The brain also needs to take a pause and breathe. Below are a couple of yoga poses recommended to ease and strengthen the brain.
1. MEDIATION
Meditation is the process of focusing the mind for some time. The focus needs to be deep, religious, and in complete silence. It has said to play a huge role in making a person more aware of himself or herself.
There are a lot of variations in mediation but one of the most recommended one for the brain is ‘MINDFULNESS MEDITATION’.
Mindfulness meditation is referred to as observing the flow of your inner thoughts processes and emotions without judging them. Once deep into concentration, you may also experience external sensations like sounds or sights.
2.LOTUS POSE
This is considered to be one of the best poses in yoga for brain relaxation. It helps to strengthen and boost up the brain. It is also referred to as Padmasana. To practice, this pose the legs need to be crossed with each foot placed on the opposite thigh. Not only is it considered good for the brain but also for the hips, ankles, and knees.
3.CHANNEL CLEANING BREATH
Channel cleaning breath also called Nadi Shodhana.
Nadi means Channel
Shodhana means Cleansing
As the name suggests it focuses on a specific breathing pattern that needs to be followed.
It consists of inhaling and exhaling through alternative nostrils.
The benefits of this breathing are –
- It helps to establish a sense of control over the breathing
- Reduces stress levels and anxiety
- Soothes the nervous system
- Helps in balancing the hormones
- A crucial technique that helps concentrate and creates a balance in the left and right hemispheres of the brain
4.KIRTAN KRIYA
Kirtan Kriya also called singing exercise, is a type of mediation that involves a combination of chanting a mantra. While chanting the hands are required to move through Mudras. It usually involves singing sounds like Saa Taa Naa Maa.
The benefits of this exercise are –
- Helps in improving memory
- Improves the chemistry of the brain
- Reduces stress
- Increase the brain size and enhances the blood flow
- Helps in improving the sleep
- Relaxes the Mind
5.BIG TOE POSE
This pose is also called Padangusthasana. If we break it down
Pada means foot
Angustha means thumb
Asana means pose
This is a standing pose that involves stretching the entire back of the body, in particular the hamstrings. It is a very good and relaxing exercise for a deep stretch from top to bottom.
The benefits of this exercise are –
- It strengthens the thighs in particular hamstrings
- Helps in calming the brain
- Relieves stress and anxiety
- Reduces headache and even Insomnia
- Plays a major role in improving the blood circulation
6.CHILD’S POSE
A child’s pose is also called Child’s resting Pose or Balasana is a Kneeling asana. It helps stretch the back, hip, thigh, and ankle. This is also one of the most recommended poses for relaxation especially during stretching.
The benefits of this stretch are –
- It releases tensions in back, shoulder, and chest
- Helps in alleviating stress and anxiety
- Reduces Fatigue
- Stretches the spine
7.CORPSE POSE
Corpse pose also termed as Savasana looks easy but is difficult to do. It requires total relaxation and leaving the body loose and out of control.
The benefits of this pose are –
- Helps in calming the mind
- Reduces Blood Pressure
- Improves sleep
- Relives headaches
- A good form of relaxation
8.DOWNWARD FACING DOG
Also called Adho Mukha Shvanasana, is an inversion exercise that is usually practiced as a part of the flowing sequence of poses. It is another very good exercise for stretching.The name is derived from the way dogs usually stretch their entire body.
The benefits of this pose are –
- Helps in calming the brain
- Reduces stress and mild depression
- Plays an active role in energizing the body
- Helps strengthen the arms and legs
- Stretches shoulders, hamstrings, calms, arches, and hands
9.HEAD STAND
It is an inversion posture of standing with head down. While you stand like this a rush of blood, fresh nutrients as well as oxygen naturally flows towards your face, this is the reason why our face becomes soo red.
The benefits of this pose are –
- It helps in better circulation
- Rejuvenates the skin making it brighter, clearer and glowing
- Improves Digestion
- Strengthens the arms and shoulders Actively releases stress
- Most important results in the full circulation of blood to eyes, head, and scalp
10.HANDSTAND
While a headstand is supporting the entire body by balancing on your head, this involves balancing the body on your hands. It requires a lot of strength and specifically challenges your balance skills and stability.
The benefits of this pose are –
- It increases concentration
- Challenges your balance and stability
- Helps to improve the skin
- Increases concentration and focus
- This posture also reverses the blood supply that helps in blood purification
All these exercises or poses religiously work towards strengthening the brain and parts of the body. Incorporating these exercises in your daily routine can play an active role in rejuvenating and strengthening your body as well as alleviating stress.
