Super Brain Yoga to Improve Your Brain
Super brain yoga is an easy and interesting exercise to help you experience more energy and improve your brain function. The brain is one of the most important muscles in your body and one that is frequently overlooked when it comes to exercising.
Although support and funding for the scientific research of super brain yoga is limited, the anecdotal evidence of individuals, schools, and therapists believe that the practice of super brain yoga has radically improved many people’s lives. This exercise has dramatically improved the health of many individuals suffering from ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and dementia.
Are you too ready to implement a simple exercise into your daily routine to improve your body, mind, and emotions? It was originally developed by the Pranic Institute.
A Traditional Practice
Educators and parents in India have long used what is called murgha punishment incorporating the very technique of super brain yoga into the classroom. This punishment, also a form of yoga, is an exercise with the scientific rationale that it improves oxygenation to the nervous system and brain thus promoting better concentration and the ability to learn.
Placing the hands on alternative earlobes is a concept that originates from the science of Ayurveda medicine in which pressure points on the earlobes stimulate neural function on both sides of the brain. Individuals who practice superbrain yoga describe feeling more balanced and at peace shortly after performing this simple exercise (5).
How Does it Work?
Research led by Dr. Joie P. Jones of the University of California reinforces the traditional Indian beliefs behind super brain yoga (1). His research highlights that the success of the yoga practice stimulates acupuncture points on the ear. The ears are a major pressure point that stimulates the mouth, eyes, temples, testes, ovaries, forehead, and brain.
The idea behind stimulating the earlobes is that energy within the lower extremities becomes stagnant and trapped. With super brain yoga, the energy takes a direct vertical line up the center of the body through the heart, then the throat, passes the tongue to the mouth, and lastly the brain.
Science behind brain health shows that the brain hemispheres are oppositely, and unilaterally stimulated from the right ear and left ear. So the right ear stimulates the left brain and the left ear stimulates the right brain. When each earlobe is simultaneously stimulated, both the left and right sides of the brain hemisphere become synchronized producing powerful brain activity (5).
Benefits of Super Brain Yoga
Teachers believe that their students who practice the technique have fewer symptoms of autism, dyslexia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and Down syndrome and show fewer emotional disturbance. Therapists believe it helps patients with declining cognitive function and can improve symptoms related to neurological degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Older adults even believe it improves their memory function for daily activities such as finding keys. (1, 5)
The benefits of super brain yoga can appeal to every age as anecdotal evidence and independently run studies also suggest improved sex drive, lower psychological stress, promoted mental clarity and focus, increased creativity and intelligence, and an increase in calmness and inner peace which can further aid in appetite control and overall health management (1, 2, 3).
Benefits of Super brain yoga, however, are believed to be short term unless the practice is used daily. This concept is also not new news as any fit individual knows too well from a resulting injury. Muscle atrophy does not only occur in biceps and leg muscles but the lack of exercise to the brain results in the same rapid muscle loss and muscle function.
A study conducted amongst 56 middle school students experiencing academic and behavioral problems participated in the practice of Super brain yoga a minimum of twice a week. Academic performance increased by more than 21%.
Results of the study found that the practice reduced frustration in students, improved class participation, lowered anxiety and fear, improved standardized test scores, and increased collaboration with peers. Teachers observed a significant shift in student’s ability to show compassion, kindness, and generosity. (4)
Proper Technique for Super Brain Yoga
The technique for super brain yoga is easy for almost anyone to do, if you have some physical limitations, we have some suggestions for seniors at the bottom of this article. Some believers and purists of super brain yoga who have been diligently practicing the technique for years believe that you should face your body east when performing the exercise to enhance the flow of energy through the body. Suitable for any age and skill set, give super brain yoga a try next time you need to feel rejuvenated.
- Take your left hand and place it on your right earlobe so that your thumb is in the front of the ear.
- Take your right hand and place it around your left earlobe so that your thumb is in the front of the ear. Your left arm should be closest to your chest and held within the forearm of your right arm.
- Stabilize feet so they are about hips-width apart.
- Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth keeping it there for the duration of the exercise.
- Inhale while you bend your knees and squat downward. Make sure your knees do not bend over your toes avoiding pressure to knees. Be sure to keep your chest open and prevent your body from bending forward.
- Exhale while you begin to stand back up.
- Repeat the exercise as many times as desired. General recommendations advise for repeating the technique for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Repeat daily for at least 3 months to begin to see results.
Tip for Seniors with Limited Agility:
Science shows that visualizing a technique can actually result in positive benefits as if your body physically performed an exercise or experience. Older adults with limited abilities to squat should sit in a chair with feet grounded and hands positioned accordingly.
While performing the same breathing patterns, visualize the exercise while promoting relaxation. It is amazing how just the act of visualizing yourself and going through the motions can get you some of the benefits.
If you want to work with a functional health coach, I recommend this article with tips on how to find a great coach. Our website offers long-distance functional health coaching programs with our world-class team of health coaches. For further support with your health and other goals, just reach out—our fantastic coaches are here to support your journey.
Inflammation Crushing Ebundle
The Inflammation Crushing Ebundle is designed to help you improve your brain, liver, immune system and discover the healing strategies, foods and recipes to burn fat, reduce inflammation and thrive in life!
As a doctor of natural medicine, I have spent the past 20 years studying the best healing strategies and worked with hundreds of coaching clients, helping them overcome chronic health conditions and optimize their overall health.
In our Inflammation Crushing Ebundle, I have put together my very best strategies to reduce inflammation and optimize your healing potential. Take a look at what you will get inside these valuable guides below!
Sources for this Article Include:
1. Superbrain Yoga: 3 Minutes That Maximize Brain Power Link Here
2. Super Brain Yoga: A Research Study Link Here
3. Chandrasekeran A, Rajesh SK, and Srinivasan TM. Effect of repetitive yogic squats with specific hand position (Thoppukaranam) on selective attention and psychological states. Int J Yoga. 2014 Jan-Jun; 7(1): 76-79. PMCID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4097921/
4. Superbrain Yoga – Improving Academic and Behavioral Performances in Adolescents Link Here
5. SuperBrain Yoga Link Here
When i do super brain yoga do i need to breath from my belly or from my chest?
Ideally from the belly Gabi!
So you mean like to suck the belly inward?
So you mean like suck the belly inward?
No, the belly should expand out.
I didnt undrstand there ia any video that showing how to expand the belly out?
What this mean the belly should expand out there is any vidoe that show how to do it?
Hey Gabi, the breath should lower the diaphram enough to cause a slight expansion of the belly. Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh_2_92uRIA
Belly breath
Its like pull the belly inward ?
Hi,I have been following you for some time now and may I say I think that your site is becoming more interesting.
Thank you Simon!
Can I eat meat before or after doing the super brain yoga?
Yes Gabi
If I’m doing super brain yoga I need to breath from my belly to expand it like a balloon?
What do you mean keep the chest open?
Is it cure OCD problem
Are you a yogi
Belly breath we called balloon breath when teaching yoga to children. We had them put a rubber duck on their bellies whilst laying down. As the expanded their breath, with their bellies rising up and down with the breath, they could measure the breath by the movement of their duck!
Thanks for sharing Debbie!
Hello respected Doctor! I wonder if i should exhale through my nose or mouth?
Yes either is fine, I prefer to exhale through both my nose and mouth.
Wasn’t this a practice (and name) that was coined by and intellectual property of the Pranic Institute? If so why do I not see anything that honors that here?
We didn’t know this but we are happy to apply credits to them.