How Big A Part Does Concentration Play In Yoga Practice?

By Michael J Mckay

One of the most important aspects of yoga practice, rated even more highly than yoga moves themselves, is the ability to concentrate. Concentration is placed so highly because it in itself promotes relaxation by preventing our ever wandering minds from 'flitting' onto subjects/matters that have been affecting us throughout the day. These jumbled thought-processes disallow us from focusing.

By concentrating on focusing our thoughts and actions on our breathing, we can purge these chaotic influences that are constantly present which by definition cause an increase in our stress levels. The majority of people don't understand how powerful concentration is in bringing about a state of total relaxation. We need to attain this state to effectively practise our yoga techniques.

We are not talking about forced concentration here, as this would deviate from that which we wish to achieve in our yoga quest. We seek relaxed concentration, whereby our thoughts are returned to a clear mind, unburdened with the usual worry or concerns in our lives. We must cast these aside and allow our mind time to relax and recover.

As with all things the more we practice our yoga techniques, the ever lessening amount of time in concentration is required to bring about the required relaxed state. During these times our mind becomes increasingly relaxed, to the extent that even when we are not performing yoga our minds and bodies are relaxed. This is the physical and mental state which we should be in, and for which we essentially practice yoga.

There are varying yoga techniques, whose teachers apply methods to help you concentrate and attain that state which releases the damaging things in our lives. Their techniques may be superficially different but there aim is identical.

It is common knowledge that damaging effects on our emotions will without doubt have similar negative effects on our physical bodies. It follows that whatever you believe is what you will receive, and having a chaotically unfocused mind will without doubt have detrimental effects on our overall health. It will also prevent us from practicing yoga effectively!

Initially, new yoga devotees will find it very difficult to maintain the required level of concentration for any prolonged period of time; our minds are week and unfocused; this is expected. As mentioned earlier, practice makes the process a lot easier thus the more we practise yoga the quicker we will be able to enter that essential relaxed state of mind. It will eventually become so easy to achieve the desired state that you will not even feel as though you need to concentrate to achieve this state.

That is the natural state of mind that you should be aiming for. It will improve your yoga experience and shape your life for the better.

Start your yoga training today and see the great, long-term health benefits you will receive.
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