Why you have to start doing superbrain yoga, right now
You may have heard of it once. Or it makes you frown like crazy. Superbrain Yoga?! What does that suppose to mean? It’s a simple beneficial exercise that doesn’t include anything but the breath (okay and some squats). And it works miracles for your brain.
It’s been only a year ago that one of my yoga-and meditation teachers introduced me to this particular practice that only takes half a minute a day but claims to work miracles on you. Of course it took my interest right away. Ever since I practice it almost every morning before I run into my day.
In Hindu tradition, the practice is called Thoppukaranam and is performed facing Lord Ganesha, god of wisdom, knowledge and intellect. According to different research it’s based on the principles of subtle energy and acupuncture points (especially in the ears, associated with meridians and nerve centers and lines) and it helps the energy trapped in the lower energy centres or chakra’s to move upward through the whole body. This way it passes through your heart centre and fills it with feelings of calm and inner peace. When the energy moves up further into the throat and your upper crown chakra’s, your intelligence and creativity are improved and it will enhance sharpness and clarity in the brain. It might even stimulate your sex drive (sounds good right?!)
Exercise
Just like you experience most benefits from your yoga when practicing it on a regular basis, same goes for superbrain yoga. To make the most of one’s brain, it needs to be exercised and nurtured, just like every other muscle of the human body. So best is to practice this superbrain yoga every morning before you start your meditation or go to work.
This is how superbrain yoga works:
1. Preferably face towards the east. If you have no idea, don’t feel bothered. You can still do the work-out.
2. Roll your tongue against your the roof of your mouth.
3. Rise up your left arm and fold your elbow and reach for your right earlobe. Make sure you hold your earlobe with your thumb on the outside (the front) and the other two fingers on the inside (the back).
4. Rise up your right arm and fold your elbow over the left arm and reach for your right earlobe. Again, position your thumb and forefinger in the same way as on the right earlobe.
5. Now, the ‘exercise’ can start. Inhale deeply through both nostrils (mouth closed) and simultaneously squat down gently to a sitting position, with your arms still positioned as described above. No chair required, just squat. But make sure your knees don’t hurt. If you can go down almost to floor level, that is best. Hold this position for two or three seconds. Come up again to standing position as you’re gently exhaling.
Repeat this 7 – 14 times maximum.