Yoga and Attention

One of the things that differentiate Yogis from those who are not introduced to the Yogic path is the level of attention. Yogis not just pay deep attention but also can sustain it for quite some time. Often yogic practices: asanas or pranayama or Dharana are done for a prolonged period of time as one progresses on the yogic path and this gives the necessary patience to sustain the awareness and attention.

What is attention

Modern day psychologist look at attention from various points of view:

• Attention can be looked at as a process of filtration where we filter out irrelevant information from the environment and become conscious only of what we want or is relevant to us
• It can also be looked at as a process where we become aware of several objects in the environment and then focus. The features are then combined to understand and make sense
• Attention is also looked at as a limited cognitive resource that can be allocated to various tasks based on our intention: depends on our likes and dislikes, moods and situations

Attention is often considered to be a complex task where a lot of resources are consumed and also depends on a number factors including stress, reward, sleep depravation and emotional state.

Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/516985/fncom-14-00029-HTML/image_m/fncom-14-00029-g001.jpg

Neurotransmitters play a role in creating alertness and arousal because of which we pick up specific pieces of information that is interesting to us. In the brain a synchronized firing of neurons happen whose rythmic activity exceeds that of background chatter of neurons (Desimone and Baldauf)

https://www.ted.com/talks/mehdi_ordikhani_seyedlar_what_happens_in_your_brain_when_you_pay_attention?language=en

How Yoga Helps

Several studies demonstrate how yoga enhances attention. We highlight 2 studies here.

1. A study of kindergarten children revealed that: Yoga had a significant positive effect over the 12-week intervention period on most parameters of visual attention and visual-motor precision, in comparison to the physical exercise and control. Yoga also had a significant positive impact on the development on behavior of inattention and hyperactivity, compared to physical exercise and control.: Jarraya et al. 2019. 12 Weeks of Kindergarten-Based Yoga Practice Increases Visual Attention, Visual- Motor Precision and Decreases Behavior of Inattention and Hyperactivity in 5-Year-Old Children
2. 8 week yoga routine among adults showed significant speed of processing and visuospatial attention: Gothe et al. 2017. Hatha Yoga Practice Improves Attention and Processing Speed in Older Adults: Results from an 8-Week Randomized Control Trial

To summarise, Yoga enhances the process of attention by:

• Keeping the mind stress free and hence making mental resources available for paying attention
• Balancing the release of neurotransmitters that are responsible for attention
• Repeated practice brings structural changes in the brain and enhances attention
• Bringing the necessary emotional detachment and objectivity that helps to pay attention without being clouded by emotions
• Balances the breath which is a key factor in paying attention. Shallow or heavy breathing can hinder the attentional process.
• Dharana practices bring the necessary patience to sustain attention
• Yogic practices also increase blood supply to the brain thereby improving attention

What could be pointers that you are distracted and not paying attention. Read here