Yoga For Enhancing Reminiscence and Focus • Yoga Fundamentals

Intelligence, memory and concentration are human qualities that are highly valued and sought after. There are several yoga techniques that stimulate the brain and nervous system to improve memory and focus, which can lead to higher levels of intelligence. These exercises were originally designed to achieve and maintain a state of meditation. However, these yoga concentration exercises will also improve your mental focus, awareness, and memory. Regular and consistent practice of one or more of these exercises will increase your general cognitive skills, which in turn will strengthen your willpower, determination, and resilience to overcome difficulties and challenges.

What are concentration techniques?

A concentration technique is an exercise that is used to improve focus, deepen awareness, or otherwise increase brain performance. The purpose of concentration techniques is to find out how to focus the mind on one point for a sustained period of time. The specific focus is not essential. The goal of these techniques is to keep the mind sharply focused for the longest time. Through targeted practice, concentration techniques can help prevent memory loss, create clarity of thinking and promote everyday mindfulness.

Dharana (the yoga of concentration)

Dharana, the sixth limb of yoga, is a state of focused attention that is used during asana, pranayama, and meditation. Dharana is a Sanskrit word that translates as "concentration". Dharana is the general yoga term for practices that train the mind to become clear, focused, and one-sided. You can focus the mind on an object that is external (like an image or a deity) or internal (like a chakra).

Boredom and anxiety affect your concentration and lead to distractions. Choose your goals and techniques carefully for the best result. If you practice something that feels too easy, you will get bored and your mind will wander. If an exercise is too challenging, you will encounter fear and resistance, and your attention will be focused on something that is more comfortable and enjoyable.

The concentration techniques of Dharana prepare the mind for the next step in the yoga development Dhyana. This is the state of sustained meditation that ultimately leads to samadhi or enlightenment.

Yoga concentration techniques

1. In the asana, using a drishti (focus) greatly improves your mental focus. Focusing your eyes on a drishti point is especially powerful when balancing asanas like Tree Pose and Eagle Pose. Spinal extension postures that pose forward and backward flexion activate the spine and stimulate the nervous system. Reverse postures like the headstand and sarvangasana shoulder stand nourish the brain by increasing blood flow and oxygen circulation. (Our membership page contains two “Brain Boost” sequences that include yoga poses to increase brain and memory performance.)
2. In pranayama, the mind focuses on the breath as it flows in and out of the body. Oxygen and prana (energy) are also increased in the body and brain by regulating the breath. Thus, Pranayama increases concentration and nourishes the brain.
3. Meditation is a step beyond dharna and requires even more mental focus and concentration. Meditation practice alone or in conjunction with asana and pranayama relieves the mind by reducing excessive thinking. Excessive thinking consumes mental energy and tarnishes the mind from seeing and thinking clearly. You can use an internal drishti in meditation for the sixth chakra, or the third eye activates the brain and focuses the mind. Yantra, mantra, visualization
4. There are also some other more unusual and esoteric hatha yoga techniques that more advanced yogis can explore to help strengthen your mental focus. By engaging the bandhas with the above techniques, you can further strengthen your mental focus. Many of the mudras and shatkarmas, such as Trataka and Khechari Mudra, will also greatly improve mental focus.

Yoga 101

Why use a drishti?

When the gaze is focused on a single point, our consciousness pulls inwards and the mind remains undisturbed by external stimuli. Using a drishti allows the mind to focus and get into a deep state of concentration.

Using a Drishti in Yoga ➞

Benefits of concentration techniques

Asana, pranayama, and meditation are powerful tools that stimulate the brain and improve the strength of the mind. The benefits of these practices are many. Working on dharana can boost your brain performance, relate you to the present moment, and reduce mental distractions. In theory, these yoga practices can potentially prevent or reduce the effects of dementia, ADHD, Alzheimer's, and other memory problems.

Paramhansa Yogananda tells us that a focused mind is the key to success in life. “The problem with most people is that when they take an action, they think of something else. They don't know how to focus on what to do when they are doing it. You should learn to think about one thing with the full strength of your mind. All your attention should be there. Don't go along. A laconic approach leads to failure and misery. "