That time of the year is here when the single-minded focus is on the books and not on Facebook and Instagram. The time when the mind is focused but not relaxed because exams are around the corner. There is peer pressure, pressure from parents to perform well in exams, pressure of scoring good grades. All this thinking drifts one away from studies and leads to stress and not knowing how to handle it. Here are a few Yoga asanas and breathing exercises that will sail you through the days of exam pressure.

First, let’s have a look at some breathing exercises:

Bhastrika (The bellows breath) –

Exams are preceded by sleepless nights spent in studying, calling up friends to know how much they have studied and the VVIMP questions. Honestly, this can cause one to tire out, and keeping awake can be a herculean task. A coupe of rounds of Bhastrika can energize you completely. It keeps you awake, keeps the cerebrum active, hence enhancing your learning. Bhastrika helps the energy to keep flowing and removes harmful toxins from the body.

Bhramari (The humming bee sound) –

This breathing technique is the solution to the nerve wrecking experience before any exam. At such times, a relaxing pranayama comes handy. Bhramari pranayama helps in calming the nervous system, removes hypertension and stress. This makes the brain more receptive and focused. When the mind is focused and relaxed, the right answer comes to you at the right time.

Emotional tension gets accumulated in the body and may lead to blockage of energy. Stretching the body can help relax the body and mind, and also enhance the flow of energy in the body.

Following are the yoga asanas that will help you focus and relax:

Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend) –

Stretches all the muscles of the back of the body and invigorates the spine and the nervous system. Increases the blood supply to the brain, hence results in relaxation.

Paschimottanasana (Sitting Forward Bend) –

Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression. Soothes headache and anxiety and reduces fatigue.

Halasana (The plough pose) –

Stimulates the endocrine system and strengthens the immune system – specifically, the thyroid gland, which improves metabolism and keeps you more active! The reverse flow of blood helps in new cell generation keeping the brain young and rejuvenated.

Matsyasana (The Fish Pose) –

Relieves tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders, improving respiration and bringing a lightness to your facial muscles! It helps in strengthening the immune system, which is a key to stay fit and strong during these strenuous times.

Sirshasana (The Headstand) –

Relieves stress and improves focus. Stimulates the pituitary gland, harmonizing the entire endocrine system. Helps expel toxins and also improving the flow of blood to the brain, stimulating nerve cells. It improves memory power as well!

Shishuasana (The Child’s Pose)–

This one is a deeply relaxing posture. Gives you deep rest and total relaxation of the back. Puts the chattering mind to rest and keeps the brain fresh, helping you to learn and to grasp more.

We hope these asanas and techniques come in handy during your exam days. While performing the asanas, coordinating movement with the breath is very important. Also holding the posture to ones capability and relaxing into the posture enhances the experience of yoga.