In today’s fast-paced world, concentration on a single thing for long is quite difficult. This is because the mind is never free of thoughts and worries, making it impossible to focus on one thing. The balancing postures of yoga focus on clearing the mind of all thoughts for a while, helping you relax. When you try to maintain your balance in these postures, your mind automatically stops wandering, thus helping you concentrate.

Caution: Those with weak knees should do Exercise 1 and 2 for short periods and gradually increase the time. Those with back pain, with heart problems and high blood pressure should not do exercise 4. Those with severe arthritis of the knee joints or those who have had knee surgery, should consult their doctor before doing Exercise 4.

Exercise 1 & 2

EXERCISE 1,2

EXERCISE1:
• Stand straight with your legs together
• Bend one leg and bring the foot to rest on the inner thigh, close to the groin
• Maintain balance by focusing on a point in front of you and raise your arms to the sides
• Raise your arms, keep them straight, and your palms joined
• Hold for 10-30 seconds
• Repeat with the other leg.

EXERCISE 2:

• In the standing position, slightly bend the left knee, take your right leg and twist it around the left leg, as shown
• Bend the elbows, twist your right forearm around your left arm and bring your palms together, as shown
• Keep your eyes focused on a fixed point and slowly bend the left knee a little more
• Hold for 10 - 30 seconds
• Repeat with the opposite arm and leg

Exercise 3

EXERCISE 3

• Stand with your feet together, inhale and raise both your arms above your head, your palms together
• Exhale and bend forward from your hips. Simultaneously lift one leg up, keep your head, your arms, your trunk and your leg in one straight, horizontal line. Focus on the hands or on a point in front of the body
• Hold for10-30 seconds
• Repeat with the other leg

Exercise 4

EXERCISE 4

• Stand straight with your legs wide apart and hands on your hips
• Turn one of your legs and your upper body to one side and go down on your front knee
• Raise your arms straight up over the head, with your palms together
• Lower the hips and bend backwards as much as you are comfortable with. Look up
• Hold for 10-30 seconds
• Repeat with the other leg.