YOGA AND MEMORY:
Yoga is an ancient Hindu discipline. The goal of Yoga is union with the higher consciousness.
Understanding ‘Memory’
Memory is the capacity to retain and recall information about past and present incidents. Memory capacity is the ability to analyze and synthesize the assimilated information and not information storage alone. Memory power varies between individuals.
In Sanskrit, the word ‘Memory’ is called ‘smriti’ The yoga sutras of Patanjali describe memory as ‘an experienced object not being lost from the mind.’
Yoga and Memory: The Indisputable Link
While memory is the latent capacity to retain and recall information, yoga assists in improving memory power through yogic techniques of concentration and meditation. The brain functions of attention, cognition, processing of sensory information and visual perception are honed with yogic practices.
Yogic practices like asanas, pranayama, meditation and Om chanting increase the circulation of blood to the brain. This help calm the mind and enhances concentration skills. Memory lapses can also be prevented through yogic practices that enhance the power of recall. One can draw upon the immense power of the mind with consistent yogic endeavor
“Memory is the measure of ability to reproduce the knowledge that is known”, says Yogacharya Vishwas.
“Memory is holding on to that which has been known.”- The Hindu Texts.
“Memory is the calling up of an object from past experience,” say Patanjali Sutras.
The magic of hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is a gentle form of yoga that consists of asanas, pranayama, meditation and chanting to achieve clarity of the mind that translates into all round good health. Memory power is given a boost, while also improving the ability to maintain focus and concentration.
Yogic components that improve memory
Asanas: The inverted postures nourish the brain with increased blood supply and supply of oxygen to the cells that help in developing memory:
Pranayama: Deep breathing exercises that help in the increased flow of prana and oxygen to the body parts and the brain, enhancing memory power
Meditation: Helps to clear the mind of unwanted thoughts and reduces excessive thinking. It is said that excessive thinking saps the mental energy of a person. Daily meditation helps to keep the mind calm and free of tension. Meditation on the third eye or on the point between the eyebrows helps to activate the brain and develop memory power.
“Om” chanting: – The vibration of Om recharges the cells and organs of the body with energy. It is said that 30 minutes of Om chanting helps to rejuvenate our consciousness and improve memory power.
How?
AUM – Utterance of A affects the spinal cord.
Utterance of U affects the thyroid glands.
Utterance of M affects the brain and its centers.
This practice enhances the efficiency of the brain cells, thereby improving memory power.
Yogic Practices in Detail
Asanas
Asanas are not aimed at mere toning of the physical body; they are designed to activate the energy channels in our body, thereby empowering the body from within.
During asana practice, it is important to focus the eyes at the point between the eyebrows, which promotes memory power. One must gently do away with restless thoughts and be aware of the movements of the body.
Please refer my older posts for the following pose picture.
Vrikshasana or the tree pose: This asana is practised in a standing posture, and benefits the ankle and the knees while also developing memory and concentration.
Steps:
Stand erect.
Lift the right leg, bend it at the knees and place it on the left thigh.
Bring your palms close to your chest as in a prayer position.
Shift your gaze to a point on the floor and stare.
Hold this position for a few breaths and relax while returning to the original position.
Repeat the same with the other leg.
Natarajasana or the dancer’s pose: This pose enhances balance, memory, focus and concentration.
Steps:
Stand erect. Bend the right knee and hold the knee at the ankles with your fingers.
Inhale as you lift the left arm straight above the head.
Exhale as you pull the right leg up and away from the body.
Then fix your gaze steadily at a point on the floor for a few breaths.
Repeat the same with the other leg.
Pranayama
It is apt to quote the Patanjali sutras that say , “The mind becomes calm by regulating the expulsion and retention of the breath”. Yogic breathing is a powerful tool to bring in more oxygen to the brain and blood. This facilitates in the development of memory and concentration.
Yogic breathing – Anuloma Viloma
Anuloma Viloma is also called alternate nostril breathing. Insights into the yogic texts describe the presence of the Ida nerve current, which flows through the left nostril and the Pingala current, which flows through the right nostril. It is said, that the breath flows through the right nostril for one hour, and then through the left nostril for another hour. Any alteration in this pattern of the flow of breath results in disease.
Steps:
Sit in a comfortable position and relax all the muscles of the body.
Exhale deeply through both nostrils.
Close your right nostril and inhale through the left nostril. Next, gently close the left nostril and release or exhale the breath through the right nostril. This constitutes one cycle of breathing practice.
Close your left nostril and inhale through the right nostril. Close the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril. This makes another cycle of breathing exercise.
Note: Breathing should be normal, regular and deep during the practice.
Practice of this exercise calms the mind, and prepares it for deep meditation.
Meditation
Finding peace amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, meditation is a time-tested method to experience the divine presence or consciousness within. An intense feeling of inner peace and abounding bliss envelops the being after deep meditation. It also helps in developing a non-judgmental attitude towards people and situations. Meditation on the third eye helps develop memory power.
Steps
Sit in a cross-legged position.
Close your eyes and fix your attention at the point between the eyebrows. By focusing on this inner vision, we achieve clarity and creative insight.This chakra is also called Ajna chakra and the colour it radiates is emerald green. Focus your concentration on this center and feel the energy it radiates.
Benefit: By focusing on this inner vision, we achieve clarity of thought and purpose. The power of creative insight is also honed through this technique.
MEMORY, CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS:
1) Asana – Yoga Postures: includes using a gazing point (drishti) while performing balancing postures, spine lengthening exercises and inverted postures (like the headstand). Using the drishti improves focus and concentration while the exercises stimulate the nervous system. In Asana practice we focus on our physical body and the breath thereby improving concentration and focus.
2) Pranayama focuses on breathing techniques and mastering the life-force. These not only help with focus and concentration but also help more oxygen reach the brain. In pranayama, the mind is focused on the breath as it flows in and out of the body. Oxygen and pranic energy are also increased in the body and brain by the regulation of breath. Thus, pranayama increases focus and concentration as well as nourishes the brain. Pranayama is greatly beneficial in improving memory power. In pranayama, the psyche of the individual is concentrated on the breath as it courses in and out of the body. Hence, pranayama modifies concentration and focus in a positive manner as well as nurtures the brain.
3) Dharana quite specifically is the process of holding the mind to one place, object or idea. Dharana techniques are specifically designed for the mind. It works on focusing concentration and attention rather than letting the mind wander. This kind of focused attention is a form of mind training as it becomes easier to concentrate and remember as you practice more.
Dharana, or the practice of focus and concentration, affects and reduces the occupied mind. The mind is kept firm at one place instead of letting it wander here and there. This reduces strain on the mind. Mental strength increases. With such habitual focus and concentration, the work is done effectively and efficiently. The daily practice of dharana reduces the wavering attitude of mind and a different kind of mental clarity can be observed throughout the day. Dharana acts upon and cuts down the stress of the preoccupied mind.
4) With Dhyana (meditation) we develop awareness. If you can make the time to take care of yourself by meditating for just 20 minutes a day, know that these efforts can help you to improve memory and concentration. A calm and well rested mind (as opposed to an agitated, overworked mind) is much more agile and flexible.
Meditation takes dharana even further as it calls for intense mental focus and concentration. During meditation you empty the content of your consciousness completely. Dharana quite specifically is the process of holding the mind to one place, object or idea. Eliminating all extraneous thoughts gives your mind some much needed rest.
Meditation is a maneuver beyond the art of Dharana, calling for even more psychological and intellectual diligence and concentration. The art of meditation either by itself or in alignment with yoga asana and pranayama clears the mind of unreasonable and superfluous thoughts. Unrestrained thinking eats up mental energy and clouds the mind from interpreting and perceiving things clearly. In Yoga, meditation helps to energize the brain as well as get the mind to focus and concentrate.
5) Self Affirmations: The next key factor to improve memory and concentration is the power of positive thinking. Self-affirmation can stimulate your brain and give you the boost that you need to focus and concentrate better. It has been proven to work.
Saying positive phrases to yourself over and over again will unconsciously help you to convince yourself of its truth. There is no greater power than believing in yourself to improve memory and concentration.
Yoga is an ancient Hindu discipline. The goal of Yoga is union with the higher consciousness.
Understanding ‘Memory’
Memory is the capacity to retain and recall information about past and present incidents. Memory capacity is the ability to analyze and synthesize the assimilated information and not information storage alone. Memory power varies between individuals.
In Sanskrit, the word ‘Memory’ is called ‘smriti’ The yoga sutras of Patanjali describe memory as ‘an experienced object not being lost from the mind.’
Yoga and Memory: The Indisputable Link
While memory is the latent capacity to retain and recall information, yoga assists in improving memory power through yogic techniques of concentration and meditation. The brain functions of attention, cognition, processing of sensory information and visual perception are honed with yogic practices.
Yogic practices like asanas, pranayama, meditation and Om chanting increase the circulation of blood to the brain. This help calm the mind and enhances concentration skills. Memory lapses can also be prevented through yogic practices that enhance the power of recall. One can draw upon the immense power of the mind with consistent yogic endeavor
“Memory is the measure of ability to reproduce the knowledge that is known”, says Yogacharya Vishwas.
“Memory is holding on to that which has been known.”- The Hindu Texts.
“Memory is the calling up of an object from past experience,” say Patanjali Sutras.
The magic of hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is a gentle form of yoga that consists of asanas, pranayama, meditation and chanting to achieve clarity of the mind that translates into all round good health. Memory power is given a boost, while also improving the ability to maintain focus and concentration.
Yogic components that improve memory
Asanas: The inverted postures nourish the brain with increased blood supply and supply of oxygen to the cells that help in developing memory:
Pranayama: Deep breathing exercises that help in the increased flow of prana and oxygen to the body parts and the brain, enhancing memory power
Meditation: Helps to clear the mind of unwanted thoughts and reduces excessive thinking. It is said that excessive thinking saps the mental energy of a person. Daily meditation helps to keep the mind calm and free of tension. Meditation on the third eye or on the point between the eyebrows helps to activate the brain and develop memory power.
“Om” chanting: – The vibration of Om recharges the cells and organs of the body with energy. It is said that 30 minutes of Om chanting helps to rejuvenate our consciousness and improve memory power.
How?
AUM – Utterance of A affects the spinal cord.
Utterance of U affects the thyroid glands.
Utterance of M affects the brain and its centers.
This practice enhances the efficiency of the brain cells, thereby improving memory power.
Yogic Practices in Detail
Asanas
Asanas are not aimed at mere toning of the physical body; they are designed to activate the energy channels in our body, thereby empowering the body from within.
During asana practice, it is important to focus the eyes at the point between the eyebrows, which promotes memory power. One must gently do away with restless thoughts and be aware of the movements of the body.
Please refer my older posts for the following pose picture.
Vrikshasana or the tree pose: This asana is practised in a standing posture, and benefits the ankle and the knees while also developing memory and concentration.
Steps:
Stand erect.
Lift the right leg, bend it at the knees and place it on the left thigh.
Bring your palms close to your chest as in a prayer position.
Shift your gaze to a point on the floor and stare.
Hold this position for a few breaths and relax while returning to the original position.
Repeat the same with the other leg.
Natarajasana or the dancer’s pose: This pose enhances balance, memory, focus and concentration.
Steps:
Stand erect. Bend the right knee and hold the knee at the ankles with your fingers.
Inhale as you lift the left arm straight above the head.
Exhale as you pull the right leg up and away from the body.
Then fix your gaze steadily at a point on the floor for a few breaths.
Repeat the same with the other leg.
Pranayama
It is apt to quote the Patanjali sutras that say , “The mind becomes calm by regulating the expulsion and retention of the breath”. Yogic breathing is a powerful tool to bring in more oxygen to the brain and blood. This facilitates in the development of memory and concentration.
Yogic breathing – Anuloma Viloma
Anuloma Viloma is also called alternate nostril breathing. Insights into the yogic texts describe the presence of the Ida nerve current, which flows through the left nostril and the Pingala current, which flows through the right nostril. It is said, that the breath flows through the right nostril for one hour, and then through the left nostril for another hour. Any alteration in this pattern of the flow of breath results in disease.
Steps:
Sit in a comfortable position and relax all the muscles of the body.
Exhale deeply through both nostrils.
Close your right nostril and inhale through the left nostril. Next, gently close the left nostril and release or exhale the breath through the right nostril. This constitutes one cycle of breathing practice.
Close your left nostril and inhale through the right nostril. Close the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril. This makes another cycle of breathing exercise.
Note: Breathing should be normal, regular and deep during the practice.
Practice of this exercise calms the mind, and prepares it for deep meditation.
Meditation
Finding peace amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, meditation is a time-tested method to experience the divine presence or consciousness within. An intense feeling of inner peace and abounding bliss envelops the being after deep meditation. It also helps in developing a non-judgmental attitude towards people and situations. Meditation on the third eye helps develop memory power.
Steps
Sit in a cross-legged position.
Close your eyes and fix your attention at the point between the eyebrows. By focusing on this inner vision, we achieve clarity and creative insight.This chakra is also called Ajna chakra and the colour it radiates is emerald green. Focus your concentration on this center and feel the energy it radiates.
Benefit: By focusing on this inner vision, we achieve clarity of thought and purpose. The power of creative insight is also honed through this technique.
MEMORY, CONCENTRATION AND FOCUS:
1) Asana – Yoga Postures: includes using a gazing point (drishti) while performing balancing postures, spine lengthening exercises and inverted postures (like the headstand). Using the drishti improves focus and concentration while the exercises stimulate the nervous system. In Asana practice we focus on our physical body and the breath thereby improving concentration and focus.
2) Pranayama focuses on breathing techniques and mastering the life-force. These not only help with focus and concentration but also help more oxygen reach the brain. In pranayama, the mind is focused on the breath as it flows in and out of the body. Oxygen and pranic energy are also increased in the body and brain by the regulation of breath. Thus, pranayama increases focus and concentration as well as nourishes the brain. Pranayama is greatly beneficial in improving memory power. In pranayama, the psyche of the individual is concentrated on the breath as it courses in and out of the body. Hence, pranayama modifies concentration and focus in a positive manner as well as nurtures the brain.
3) Dharana quite specifically is the process of holding the mind to one place, object or idea. Dharana techniques are specifically designed for the mind. It works on focusing concentration and attention rather than letting the mind wander. This kind of focused attention is a form of mind training as it becomes easier to concentrate and remember as you practice more.
Dharana, or the practice of focus and concentration, affects and reduces the occupied mind. The mind is kept firm at one place instead of letting it wander here and there. This reduces strain on the mind. Mental strength increases. With such habitual focus and concentration, the work is done effectively and efficiently. The daily practice of dharana reduces the wavering attitude of mind and a different kind of mental clarity can be observed throughout the day. Dharana acts upon and cuts down the stress of the preoccupied mind.
4) With Dhyana (meditation) we develop awareness. If you can make the time to take care of yourself by meditating for just 20 minutes a day, know that these efforts can help you to improve memory and concentration. A calm and well rested mind (as opposed to an agitated, overworked mind) is much more agile and flexible.
Meditation takes dharana even further as it calls for intense mental focus and concentration. During meditation you empty the content of your consciousness completely. Dharana quite specifically is the process of holding the mind to one place, object or idea. Eliminating all extraneous thoughts gives your mind some much needed rest.
Meditation is a maneuver beyond the art of Dharana, calling for even more psychological and intellectual diligence and concentration. The art of meditation either by itself or in alignment with yoga asana and pranayama clears the mind of unreasonable and superfluous thoughts. Unrestrained thinking eats up mental energy and clouds the mind from interpreting and perceiving things clearly. In Yoga, meditation helps to energize the brain as well as get the mind to focus and concentrate.
5) Self Affirmations: The next key factor to improve memory and concentration is the power of positive thinking. Self-affirmation can stimulate your brain and give you the boost that you need to focus and concentrate better. It has been proven to work.
Saying positive phrases to yourself over and over again will unconsciously help you to convince yourself of its truth. There is no greater power than believing in yourself to improve memory and concentration.
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pranayamam - http://yogaandasana.blogspot.in/2011/08/var-gaq-gaq-gaq.html