Yoga is an holistic practice known for its ability to alleviate mental distractions and physical tension. Incorporating regular yoga sessions to your routine could bring multiple benefits into your life by targeting both the body and mind. Keep reading! (Woodyard, 2011).
You may also want to read: A simple guide to get a good rest.
Helping focus through yoga
Scientific research supports the idea that yoga could help sharpen mental focus. Yoga helps to reach tranquility and feelings of relaxation, potentially helping practitioners strengthen their ability to stay mentally present. This concentration could extend beyond the yoga mat, boosting attention span and productivity in daily life (Woodyard, 2011).
By promoting mental clarity and focus, yoga could help us process information more efficiently and stay present in the moment. This practice may help our memory and could also support concentration, making it easier to manage complex tasks and absorb new information (SheelaJoice, Manik & Sudhir, 2018).
The science behind meditation, the ideal complement to yoga
A team of scientists from the University of California embarked on a three-month retreat at the Shambhala Mountain Meditation Center in the U.S. During their stay, they engaged in daily meditation practices aimed at promoting calm and sustained focus on a chosen object, while also cultivating intentions such as compassion, loving-kindness, empathetic joy, and equanimity, both towards themselves and others (Zanesco, King, MacLean & Saron, 2018).
At the same time, a second group of 30 individuals who regularly practiced meditation was also observed. Apart from a week-long visit to the meditation center for an assessment, they continued their usual routines. Once the first group completed their retreat, the second group underwent similar intensive training at the Shambhala Mountain Center (Zanesco, King, MacLean & Saron, 2018).
Years later, some of the cognitive benefits gained from the training and assessments remained, particularly for older participants who had consistently meditated over the seven-year period. Those who meditated more maintained these cognitive benefits and did not experience the usual age-related decline in sustained attention as much as those who practiced less (Zanesco, King, MacLean & Saron, 2018).
Changes that last
While fear of poor health could drive someone to change their lifestyle, these changes often don’t last. Yoga, however, promotes good mind-body awareness, potentially making it easier to maintain healthy habits (Corliss, 2021)
Along with postures, yoga integrates breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation, which could help people become more aware of how their habits affect them. For example, by practicing yoga regularly, you could notice how certain foods make you feel healthier, potentially supporting long-term behavioral changes (Corliss, 2021).
Apply yoga to your daily routine!
Incorporating yoga into your daily life may be an effective way to address both mental and physical challenges, potentially helping you achieve a sense of well-being, relaxation, and increased attentiveness (Woodyard, 2011).
References:
1. Corliss, J. (2021, October 1). Yoga: A gateway to healthier habits? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/yoga-a-gateway-to-healthier-habits
2. P. SheelaJoiceP, Manik, K., & K. SudhirP. (2018). Role of yoga in attention, concentration, and memory of medical students. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Role-of-yoga-in-attention%2C-concentration%2C-and-of-SheelaJoiceP-Manik/6a4e40417669dc844605c09686a3362a811b2cf4
3. Woodyard, C. (2011, July-December). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International Journal Of Yoga. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/
4. Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2018, March 28). Cognitive Aging and Long-Term Maintenance of Attentional Improvements Following Meditation Training. Journal Of Cognitive Enhancement. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-018-0068-1
