Simple Technique To Stimulate & Invigorate Your Brain

Simple Technique To Stimulate & Invigorate Your Brain

The following post is from information found in an incredible book called, Brain Health Building a Super Brain and Youthful Vigor

What powers the vital processes that bring your physical body alive, giving it the dynamism to move and breathe? What regulates your senses and the way you perceive, think and act? Ancient yoga texts tell us it is a subtle energy known as prana. This is not physical energy—prana is quite different from the electrical impulses in your nervous system—yet it flows through your body and manifests itself through your breath. By changing your breathing, you can direct this vital energy force.

Pranayama breathing is a science that harnesses the innate capability of the body to improve its powers and functioning. It can act as an instant cognitive boost. It helps relieve stress, which enhances the operation of the brain.

What is Prana?

The Sanskrit word prana is usually translated as “vital air”, “life-force” or “vital energy”, but none of these descriptions really explain it. We can’t translate the word into English, or any Western language, because until recently our culture lacked the concept. The Chinese word chi (as in tai chi) or the Japanese word ki (as in reiki) are exact translations. People who practice acupuncture, reflexology and most martial arts understand and work with prana energy. Your prana is divided into five categories each “governing” aspects of your body, mind and breath. Each main chapter of this book reveals how one of them works.

Benefits of Pranayama breathing:

• Synchronizing left and right side of the brain.
• Distributing energy levels and inducing calmness.
• Stimulating thinking capacity.
• Increasing mental energy.
• Making you more creative.
• Developing cognitive powers.
• Improving focus, concentration and memory power.
• Boosting decision-making skills.
• Relieving stress or behavioral problems.
• Making you more psychologically balanced.

 Brain Stimulating Breathing Exercise:

1.  Sit comfortably in a chair with your back straight, hands resting on your thighs, palms facing up.

2.  Lean your head forward all the way until your chin rest on your collarbone area.

3.  Push all the air out of your lungs then immediately Inhale deeply. As you inhale Move your head back all the way until It stops, keeping your body still, back straight, only move your head.

4.  Move your head forward again and exhale completely as you do. This is considered one repetition.

5.  Immediately rock your head back again all the way inhaling deeply as you do, then forward again as you exhale. Its important to release all the air from your lungs when you exhale. Breathe deeply (diaphragm breathing) as you inhale.

6.  Your head should exhibit a rocking motion back and forth, as you breath in (head going back) and breath out (head going forward). The movements should be smooth and natural, no straining and no hesitations, or stopping in either position.  

Do 5 repetitions to start. Eventually, you want to work yourself up to a total of 21 repetitions for one session. It may take several weeks to reach that number. Try adding 3 repetition to each session until you reach 21.  Use your own judgement based on your comfort level.

You must be careful not to do too many repetitions when starting this exercise. Doing too many reps for beginners can cause dizziness. You must slowly let your body get use to the deep breathing. Your next must also slowly adjust to the movements.

Never do this exercise late at night. I suggest never doing them after 7pm. Some people have reported experiencing insomnia. The best time to perform this exercise is in the mornings, preferably before 10am.

Things to consider:

1. Always breathe deeply and fully, using you full lung capacity
2. Nourish Your body and mind with prana in the form of clean air, healthy prana-rich foods (fruits and veggies) and stimulating ideas.