Do you have trouble concentrating?

Image ©OKDavid

I first started attending yoga lessons back in 2000 when I was at University, and keen to find something which would help me concentrate on my studies. And I was delighted to find yoga extremely effective for this purpose!

Firstly, a focused mind is necessary in order to practise yoga in the first place. Yoga will encourage you to observe any physical sensations occuring in your body, and any emotions felt, without actually analysing them or passing judgment. Emphasis is placed on just being in the moment. The aim is to find acceptance with yourself and your universe – but in the process of doing this, you can improve your general concentration levels.

Secondly, practising the different postures (or “asanas”) will increase the blood circulation around your body, and to extremities such as your hands, feet and brain. In particular, the asanas where the heart is above the head (the “inversions”, such as Adho Mukha Svanasana, Downward-Facing Dog and Salamba Sarvangasana, Shoulder Stand) are thought to benefit the flow of blood to the brain.

Thirdly, many of the asanas require physical balance (such as Vrksasana, the Tree Pose) and physical co-ordination (such as Virabhadrasana III, Warrior III). Of course, these require extra mental focus, over and above the usual attention you’d need to pay to the grounding and extension of your body.

On a more basic level, yoga simply makes you feel good! And when you’re in a physically energised yet mentally peaceful state, you’re much more likely to be able to focus on your work/studies.