Strike the right balance

In modern times, it is very difficult to concentrate on anything — be it simple jobs such as chopping vegetables or difficult ones such as sitting for exams. That's because the mind is so full of thoughts, it can't focus. In the next four articles, we will discuss techniques that will help you concentrate and focus.

The balancing asanas, which we will look at today, force the mind to focus on posture, thereby driving away irrelevant thoughts.

If you can maintain your balance in these postures, your mind will automatically stay focused.

When the body is placed in a slightly unstable position, the nervous system has to act fast and send messages to all the required muscles, so the body is brought back to a state of balance and stability.

By creating this situation, the central nervous system is bypassed and the job of rebalancing is taken over by the spine or the peripheral nervous system. By practising these postures, you can focus on the object of your choice.

Vriksha asana

Garudasana

• Stand with left knee slightly bent, take right leg and twist around left leg as shown.
• Bend elbows, twist right forearm around left arm and bring palms together as shown.
• Keep eyes focused on a fixed point and slowly bend left knee a little more.
• Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, breathe normally.
• Repeat with opposite arm and leg.
  

Note : Those with weak knees should do Vrikshasana and Garudasana for short periods and gradually increase the time.

Eka padasana

• Stand with feet together, inhale and raise both arms above head, palms together.
• Exhale and bend forward from hips. Simultaneously, lift one leg up, keep head, arms, trunk and leg in one straight, horizontal line. Focus on hands or on a point in front of body.
• Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, breathe normally.
• Repeat with other leg.

Naukasana

• Lie flat on back, place arms on thighs and inhale.
• Exhale and raise legs and upper body 45 degrees from ground.
• Stretch arms towards toes, making a “boat'' shape.
• Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, breathe normally.
• Slowly lower legs and upper body to start position.

Merudandasana

• Sit with legs stretched out. Bend knees, bring feet close to body, 2 to 3ft apart.
• Grip big toes, lean back slightly and, keeping your balance, straighten legs and arms. Focus on a point at eye level.
• Hold for 10 to 30 seconds, breathe normally.
  

Note : Those with high blood pressure, heart problems, slipped disc or any lower-back problem should not practise Naukasana and Merudandasana.

Improve your attention span while reducing the span of your waist with these asanas. Happy balancing!

— Bharat Thakur is the founder of Bharat Thakur's Artistic Yoga. For questions on yoga, write to dubai.artisticyoga
@gmail.com. For more information, log on to www.bharatthakur.com