4 Ancient Yogic Exercises to Boost Brain Health & Mental Wellbeing

We all know that yoga is helpful not only for our physical health, but also for our mental and spiritual progress as well. Ancient yogis created asanas and pranayamas with deep and subtle understanding about human body, nature and soul. Today’s modern science has been proving the benefits provided by yoga, thereby resulting in the adoption of this ancient Indian wisdom throughout the world. In this article, we will explore 4 key yogic exercises that will boost your brain health and overall wellbeing.


This is a powerful ancient yogic pranayama in which we will make a humming sound so as to create vibrations that calm our nervous system and brain. First we have to sit in a meditative posture with straight back. Then close both your ears with each mother finger of both your hands. At the same time, close your eyes by keeping the rest of the four fingers on each of them. Then deeply inhale and exhale by creating a gentle humming sound. If you consistently practice this pranayama, your concentration will increase; anxiety, anger and fatigue will reduce and a sense of inner calm will prevail.




This is an extremely effective and powerful pranayama. Kapalbhati can be translated as ‘shining skull’. The name itself suggests the potential of it. It is done through forceful exhalations followed by passive inhalations. While doing the same, you must pull your navel inward towards the spine. You can start with 20-30 breaths and then increase it into 90-100 and more in one round.

The mental and physical benefits that this pranayama provides are numerous. By increasing the blood flow into the brain, Kapalbhati will boost our mental alertness, clarity and focus. In fact, consistent practice will result in increased emotional strength, harmony, mindfulness and overall well-being. Additionally, this pranayama is considered as equal to running as it provides similar benefits physically. By creating a rapid abdominal massage, our abdominal organs will get stimulated, metabolism and bowel movements will increase, relieving gas and bloating.


This pranayama balances the right and left hemispheres of our brains. It involves deep and controlled breaths that strongly focus on the flow to calm our minds and boost respiratory health. Science has proved that there is a strong co-relation between our breath and mental states. This is the reason why our breath goes out of balance when we are stressed, anxious or excited. Hence, by attaining greater control and awareness over our breaths, we are actually achieving increased overall control over our lives. This single pranayama in itself can create wonders in your brain health, respiratory health and mental wellbeing.


Sirsasana is known as the ‘King of Asanas’. The health benefits that it provides are numerous. It supports the brain by sending oxygenated and fresh blood and nutrients to the head. This will result in sharpened focus and memory. Indeed, this increased flow will activate our brain cells. This is an advanced yogic pose that will require some practice. The practitioner has to stabilise his or her head. Once it is stabilised, they have to invert the rest of the body using forearms. If you are a beginner, use a wall to balance your body. Start with sasangasana before going into sirsasana to achieve greater balance and more benefits for the brain. Sasangasana also increases blood flow into the brain. Furthermore, you can also practice sarvangasana after sirsasana for achieving complete results. Sarvangasana is known as the ‘Queen of Asanas’ and it is a complementary pose of Sirsasana.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which pranayama is best for depression?
   Bhramari, Anulom Vilom and Kapalbhati are very useful for those suffering from depression.
2. What is the mother of all yoga?
   Sarvangasana is considered as the mother of all yoga poses.
3. Is yoga better than walking?
   Both activities have its own benefits. When walking excels at cardio and calorie burn, yoga helps us with flexibility and stress relief.