Yoga as Mental Exercise

By Rachel Holmes

Praised for years as perhaps the best physical and spiritual exercise, yoga has become known almost as much for its benefits as a mental exercise. Along with reducing stress, yoga also increases concentration and clarity of thought in a person's professional and home life. In fact, some studies have suggested that yoga techniques may improve concentration and thought not only in adults suffering from stress, but children as well.

Many yoga techniques are easy to learn, people of all body types and fitness levels can reap the benefits of these exercises. For example, yoga is being used more and more in retirement communities, helping seniors who may be experiencing problems with Alzheimer's disease or with other cognitive function. In other situations, people who suffer from brain injuries, learning disabilities, or other conditions where cognitive function is impaired may also see some positive results from yogic methods. According to recent data, people experiencing these and other problems have been shown to increase mental clarity and focus, in addition to showing improvement when trying to remember things or retain information in their short and long-term memory.

Whether a person has a loss of mental clarity due to everyday stress, medical conditions, or other reasons, using yoga as a mental exercise is gaining widespread acceptance in the fitness and medical worlds. Used every day or only a few times each week, yoga allows a person to experiment with several different movements to see which ones work best for them. In fact, some exercises have been designed so that they can be done while sitting at a desk during the workday, at a desk in a classroom, or even in a hospital room.

A great way to relieve the pressure associated with living in a fast-paced world, yoga helps to relieve the pressure that builds up in a person's body and mind each day. Just as the body needs exercise to keep it in top condition, the brain also benefits from stress-relieving techniques such as yoga. If you want less stress and greater mental focus, yoga can deliver all that and much more.

© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

Please feel free to share our posts with your friends, colleagues, and favorite social media networks.