Yoga asanas to increase brain power and memory

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The brain is the most important part of the human body yet nobody pays attention to its well-being. With age and sometimes due to some disease or underdevelopment, its neural connections start getting weak which results in poor memory and dementia in old people. Following yoga asanas will give a good supply of oxygen to your brain and will strengthen its connection with the body. These asanas will increase your concentration and memory and will develop your central nervous system:
  1. Sirsasana or Headstand:
    woman doing sirsasana


    Sit near a four-folded blanket in thunderbolt pose or vajrasana. Bend forward and place the forearms on the ground with fingers intertwined and the elbows in front of the knees. Place the crown of the head between the intertwined hands. Be sure it is tightly wedged in so that it can not roll backward when pressure is applied. Lift the knees off the ground and raise the buttocks until the legs are straight. Slowly walk the legs toward the trunk and allow the knees to bend so that the back is upright and the thighs press against the abdomen and lower chest. Slowly transfer the bodyweight from the toes to the head and the arms, and raise one foot a few inches off the ground. Raise the other foot and balance on the head and the arms. When balanced, raise and straighten the hips so that the thighs move up and away from the torso. Straighten the legs. The body should be perfectly straight from head to toe. Hold this asana for some time and then fold your legs and come down. For general health benefits, 3 to 5 minutes is sufficient. Do not rush into the pose, do it step by step and perfect every step before moving on to the next one. People with high blood pressure, vertigo, heart palpitations, thrombosis, impure blood, severe nearsightedness, and chronic constipation should not do it without a teacher near.
  2. Sarvangasana or Shoulder stand:
    woman doing sarvangasana

    Lie flat on the back with the feet together, the arms by the sides, and palms flat on the ground. Using the arms as levers raise the legs and back to a vertical position. Bend the elbows and use the arms as props to steady the back by pressing it with the palms. The trunk and legs should extend straight up, forming a right angle with the neck, and chest pressing against the chin. Retain the breath inside while assuming and returning from this pose. Breathe normally while in the pose. Hold for three to five minutes. It should not be attempted by people with high blood pressure, heart ailments, enlarged thyroid, liver, and spleen.
  3. Halasana or Plough pose:
    woman doing halasana


    Lie flat on the back with the arms straight, and slowly raise your legs to the vertical position above the body. Now bend the trunk upwards, hips first. Slowly lower the legs over the head and touch the floor with the toes of the feet. Relax the body. If you are not able to touch your toes due to a tight hamstring at the start you can put your legs on a chair. With time they will elongate. Not for old people, sufferers of sciatica, and back ailments.
  4. Baka dhyanasana or the patient crane pose:
    woman doing bakasana


    Squat on the floor with the legs apart. Rise on tiptoe and place the hands flat on the ground directly in front of the feet. The elbows should be bent slightly. The knees should touch the outside of the upper arms, as near as possible to the armpits. Slowly lean forward and lift the feet off the floor, balancing only on the hands, with knees resting firmly on the upper arms. Maintain the final pose for as long as you can retain the breath without straining. Repeat up to 10 times. This asana should not be attempted by people suffering from high blood pressure.
  5. One-leg prayer pose:
    woman doing one leg prayer pose

    Stand erect with the feet together and arms at the sides. Raise one foot and place the sole against the opposite upper thigh. The heel is near the perineum, the palms together in front of the chest. Hold as long as possible and gaze at any object in front of you at eye level. It will make this asana easy to hold for a long duration.
     At first, these asanas can feel difficult but with time you will be able to master them and transform yourself.

    Thank you for reading. Stay healthy!  


          Attributions:
  • <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/sporty-woman-practicing-yoga-doing-headstand-exercise-salamba-sirsasana-pose-working-out-wearing-sportswear-black-watching-fitness-video-tutorial-online-laptop-doing-workout-home-sitting_14779507.htm#query=sirsasana&position=0&from_view=search&track=sph">Image by jcomp</a> on Freepik
  • <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-attractive-woman-salamba-sarvangasana-pose_3939098.htm#query=salamba%20sarvangasana&position=0&from_view=search&track=sph">Image by yanalya</a> on Freepik
  • <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-attractive-woman-halasana-pose-white-studio-background_1281851.htm#query=halasana&position=0&from_view=search&track=sph">Image by yanalya</a> on Freepik
  • <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/young-attractive-woman-bakasana-pose-white-studio-background_1281295.htm#query=crane%20pose&position=19&from_view=search&track=sph">Image by yanalya</a> on Freepik
  • <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/asian-woman-yoga-outside-villa-by-swimming-pool-female-red-sport-wear-yoga-poses-mat_11476662.htm#query=one%20leg%20prayer%20pose&position=45&from_view=search&track=ais">Image by kroshka__nastya</a> on Freepik

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