When modern life feels overwhelming, yoga offers a powerful way to find balance, calm, and clarity. Through intentional movement and breath, specific yoga practices can bring greater mental sharpness and inner peace. According to renowned yoga and spiritual leader Himalayan Siddhaa Akshar, Founder of Akshar Yoga Kendraa, the mind can be trained just like the body—to focus, perform, and stay grounded.
“Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a professional tackling deadlines, or anyone navigating daily chaos, yoga can help you anchor your thoughts and elevate your mental discipline,” says Akshar Ji. “Yoga is more than physical—it aligns your breath, body, and consciousness.”
Here are five yoga practices recommended by the expert to enhance your focus and cognitive clarity:
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
This foundational pose promotes stillness and mental awareness. It helps improve posture, breathing, and overall alertness.
How to do it:
Stand upright with feet together. Distribute your weight evenly. Inhale deeply and raise your arms overhead while stretching the entire body. Hold the pose and breathe steadily. Repeat five times.
2. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
This balance pose boosts concentration by demanding full mental engagement to maintain stability.
How to do it:
Stand with your feet together. Raise one foot and rest it on the inner thigh or calf of the opposite leg (avoid the knee). Bring your palms together in prayer position at your heart or raise your arms overhead. Fix your gaze on a steady point and hold for 30 seconds on each side.
3. Padmasana (Lotus Pose) with Gyan Mudra
This classic seated posture calms the mind and enhances memory and mental strength, especially when combined with the Gyan Mudra.
How to do it:
Sit in Lotus or cross-legged position. Rest your hands on your knees, palms facing upward, with the index finger and thumb touching. Close your eyes and focus on your breath for 5–10 minutes.
4. Balasana (Child’s Pose)
This gentle pose soothes the nervous system and helps relieve emotional fatigue.
How to do it:
Kneel with your big toes touching and sit back on your heels. Bend forward, bringing your forehead to the floor and stretching your arms in front (or by your sides). Breathe deeply for 1–2 minutes.
5. Trataka (Candle Gazing Meditation)
A non-physical yogic technique, Trataka trains the mind to focus sharply and aids in developing single-pointed attention.
How to do it:
In a dim room, place a lit candle at eye level. Gaze steadily at the flame without blinking until your eyes tire. Close your eyes and visualize the flame. Practice daily for a few minutes.
Conclusion:
Yoga is not about forcing concentration—it’s about stillness, awareness, and training your mind to remain present. These five techniques, when practiced consistently, can reshape your mental patterns and support a calmer, more focused way of living.
