#HealthBytes: Enhance your concentration with these 5 yoga poses
As our modern lifestyles and hectic work schedules lead to higher stress and anxiety levels, our ability to focus or concentrate often gets compromised. But fortunately, yoga can come in quite handy in this scenario. Check out these five yoga asanas (poses) that help boost your concentration by soothing your mind, increasing blood flow, and improving balance.
'Tadasana'
Tadasana, or "the mountain pose," helps improve concentration by improving posture, balancing breath, and increasing awareness. Additionally, it makes the abdomen and buttocks firm and improves the spine's flexibility. Steps to follow: Stand upright with your feet hip-width apart, hips in a neutral position, and tailbone tucked just slightly under. With your shoulder blades sliding down your back, stretch your head toward the roof.
'Vrikshasana'
Vrikshasana, or "the tree pose," improves balance and stability and helps calm your mind. Steps to follow: Stand upright with your left foot grounded, hips in line with your shoulders, and your spine elongated. Next, lift your right leg, pressing its sole against your inner left thigh. Make sure you are standing as tall as possible. Join your hands in front of your chest.
'Natarajasana'
Steps to follow: Beginning with a standing position, hold your left ankle with your left hand behind you. Shift your weight forward, and support your right hand on your right knee. Lean forward, arching your back, and pressing outward with your left foot. Keeping your left leg straight, slowly extend your right arm outward and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat with your other leg.
'Bakasana'
Steps to follow: Begin with a low squat position with your hands on the ground and your fingers spread wide. Using your toes, lift your legs, and try to place your knees on the edge of your upper arms. Slowly shift your body weight forward, then lift your toes off the ground one by one. Hold the position for as long as possible.
'Shavasana'
Shavasana, or "the corpse pose," is one of the simplest yoga asanas you can perform. The pose helps calm your mind and body, enhances awareness, and reduces stress and anxiety, thus helping improve your concentration. Steps to follow: To perform this pose, lay down straight on your back, with arms freely open on both sides and your palms facing upward.
