Keep calm! Even 10 minutes of meditation can boost brain skills
Just a short session of meditation can significantly boost one's ability to quickly and accurately complete cognitive tasks.
By PTI |
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WASHINGTON: Just a short session of meditation can significantly boost one's ability to quickly and accurately complete cognitive tasks, even if they have never meditated before, a study has found.
Researchers from Yale University and Swarthmore College in the US found that college students who listen to a 10-minute meditation tape perform better on cognitive tests than peers who listen to a "control" recording on a generic subject.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers of Neuroscience, shows even people who have never meditated before can benefit from even a short meditation practice.
"We have known for awhile that people who practice meditation for a few weeks or months tend to perform better on cognitive tests, but now we know you don't have to spend weeks practicing to see improvement," said Hedy Kober, associate professor at Yale.
International Yoga Day: Asanas For Women To Stay Youthful, Happy And Healthy
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As women venture into new terrains, also performing duties in their traditional mould, striking a balance is important to stay healthy. Yoga can help them in a big way to achieve this.
Akshar Nath, Chairman of Akshar Yoga, shares a few dynamic asanas for maintaining a youthful, happy and a healthy body for women across all ages.
NOTE: While every woman irrespective of her age can perform all these asanas, women with fluctuating blood pressure or those under medical surveillance are not advised to do these.
As women venture into new terrains, also performing duties in their traditional mould, striking a balance is important to stay healthy. Yoga can help them in a big way to achieve this.
Akshar Nath,..
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Padahastasana is a combination of two Sanskrit words — pada (foot) and hasta (hand). As the name itself suggests, this asana involves a crisp forward bend that strengthens the muscles of the limbs as well as the core and promotes good form.
Padahastasana is a combination of two Sanskrit words — pada (foot) and hasta (hand). As the name itself suggests, this asana involves a crisp forward bend that strengthens the muscles of the limbs as..
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Hasta Uttanasana is a raised arm pose, that expands the chest and rib cage, thus helping in full intake of oxygen that plays an important role in preventing the skin from loosening.
Hasta Uttanasana is a raised arm pose, that expands the chest and rib cage, thus helping in full intake of oxygen that plays an important role in preventing the skin from loosening.
The asana which gets its name from the plough, is a perfect exercise that helps in treating reproductive problems. This pose increases the blood flow to the abdominal organs and helps stimulate the thyroid and parathyroid glands too. Hence this pose is strongly recommended for ageing women.
The asana which gets its name from the plough, is a perfect exercise that helps in treating reproductive problems. This pose increases the blood flow to the abdominal organs and helps stimulate the t..
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Sarvangasana means the asana for the entire body. This shoulder stand pose is often termed as the mother of all poses. Along with many other benefits, this asana helps remove toxins and other waste products from the blood, thus preventing many diseases related to the skin. It prevents wrinkles, pimples and helps delay ageing signs. It facilitates adequate blood supply to the forehead region due to which it works great for facial problems.
Sarvangasana means the asana for the entire body. This shoulder stand pose is often termed as the mother of all poses. Along with many other benefits, this asana helps remove toxins and other waste p..
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This asana helps in stretching the entire body from the head to the heels. This is a great way to remove stress, anger and anxiety and helps balance a woman's menstrual cycle. This also tones the abdominal and pelvic organs and is especially useful for women after childbirth.
This asana helps in stretching the entire body from the head to the heels. This is a great way to remove stress, anger and anxiety and helps balance a woman's menstrual cycle. This also tones the abd..
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This does wonders in bringing back one’s youth by releasing anxiety and improving blood circulation. This asana also aids in better digestion and memory.
This does wonders in bringing back one’s youth by releasing anxiety and improving blood circulation. This asana also aids in better digestion and memory.
The research team randomly divided college students into two groups. One group listened to a 10-minute recording on meditation prior to performing cognitive tests and the second group listened to a similarly produced tape about sequoia trees.
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Both groups were then given simple tasks designed to measure cognitive dexterity. Those who listened to the meditation recording performed significantly better, across two studies.
There was one exception, however. Those who scored highest in measurements of neuroticism - "I worry all the time" - did not benefit from listening to the meditation tape.
"We don't know if longer meditation sessions, or multiple sessions, would improve their cognitive scores, and we look forward to testing that in future studies," Kober said.
International Yoga Day: Here are some asanas to rejuvenate you in 15 minutes
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As the world celebrates the 3rd International Yoga Day, more people with each passing day are learning how to practice these ancient disciplines and embrace a healthier life.
Is taking time out from busy schedule a problem? Not anymore!
As the world celebrates the 3rd International Yoga Day, more people with each passing day are learning how to practice these ancient disciplines and embrace a healthier life.
Is taking time out from..
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People hardly have any time to maintain their health these days owing to their busy lifestyle. This has resulted in many ailments leading to longterm illnesses affecting us physically and psychologically.
Yoga is time-tested and if practised regularly, helps in maintaining physical and mental health. Here are a few yog Asanas which can benefit and rejuvenate you in 15 minutes.
People hardly have any time to maintain their health these days owing to their busy lifestyle. This has resulted in many ailments leading to longterm illnesses affecting us physically and psychologic..
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It is very important to do warm-up exercise before going ahead with yogasanas as this increases blood circulation and prevents overstretching of muscles.
Warm-up exercise in 4 minutes includes:
- Stationary jogging - 1 minute
- Hip rotation - clockwise and anticlockwise
- Hand exercise - wrist, elbow and shoulder rotation both clockwise and anticlockwise
- Neck rotation - clockwise and anticlockwise (be cautious while doing this)
- The joint movements can be done for 10 counts each.
It is very important to do warm-up exercise before going ahead with yogasanas as this increases blood circulation and prevents overstretching of muscles.
Warm-up exercise in 4 minutes includes:
- S..
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Suryanamaskara – 2 rounds in 4 minutes.
It keeps the body fit. Regulates hormonal imbalance and provides immunity.
Relax for 1 minute.
Suryanamaskara – 2 rounds in 4 minutes.
It keeps the body fit. Regulates hormonal imbalance and provides immunity.
Relax for 1 minute.
Trikonasana – 1 minute.
This relieves back pain, corrects flat foot and strengthens the legs, knees, ankles, arms and chest.
Stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine.
Helps improve digestion.
Trikonasana – 1 minute.
This relieves back pain, corrects flat foot and strengthens the legs, knees, ankles, arms and chest.
Stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spi..
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Veerabhadrasana – 1 minute.
This asana should be avoided by people who have heart ailments. Strengthens and tones the arms, legs and lower back. Improves balance in the body, helps increase stamina. Beneficial for those with sedentary or deskbound jobs. Extremely beneficial in case of frozen shoulder.
Releases stress in the shoulders very effectively in a short span of time.
Veerabhadrasana – 1 minute.
This asana should be avoided by people who have heart ailments. Strengthens and tones the arms, legs and lower back. Improves balance in the body, helps increase stamina...
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Bhujangasana – 1 minute.
This brings down abdominal fat and reduces backache due to overstraining. It also tones the organs that lie in the lower abdomen.
It stimulates the digestive, reproductive and urinary systems. It helps regulate metabolism, thus balancing the weight.
It makes the buttocks firm. It works as a great stress release too.
Bhujangasana – 1 minute.
This brings down abdominal fat and reduces backache due to overstraining. It also tones the organs that lie in the lower abdomen.
It stimulates the digestive, reproductive ..
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Pavanamuktasana – 1 minute.
Helps relieve abdominal gas and constipation, increases digestive power.
Pavanamuktasana – 1 minute.
Helps relieve abdominal gas and constipation, increases digestive power.
Gomukhasana – 1 minute.
It can remove stiff shoulders and provide relief in back pain.
It helps in the treatment of sciatica.
Gomukhasana – 1 minute.
It can remove stiff shoulders and provide relief in back pain.
It helps in the treatment of sciatica.
Om chanting sitting in Padmasana posture and hand in Dhyana Mudra – 1 minute.
Improves concentration, patience and creativity.
Increases oxygen supply throughout the body.
Maintains normal blood pressure in the body.
(Note: It is very important to practise yoga only after a thorough examination of the individual and as per doctor’s advice and under the supervision of a yoga instructor.)
(The text is by Bengaluru-based yoga instructor, Pushpa Suresh.)
Om chanting sitting in Padmasana posture and hand in Dhyana Mudra – 1 minute.
Improves concentration, patience and creativity.
Increases oxygen supply throughout the body.
Maintains normal blood p..
