Hi Youthful Yogis!
I hope everyone's been having a great summer. Many of my Youthful Yogis friends have been wondering just what exactly I've been up to lately, since they haven't seen much of me in Yogis Blogland. Well, let's see...there are those frogs I told you about (I need to check on them everyday); the goats (they're getting big); the garden (it's out of control, how much zucchini can one Youthful Yogi eat, anyway?!); and then there is a little activity I call "where did I put that?"

"I know it's here somewhere!"

Here is what this activity sounds like: "I can't do headstands on the lawn right now because I've lost my iPod/cell phone/wristwatch/add your own important item here... and it's really driving me nuts!"

No kidding, losing things can drive you nutty!

Youthful Yogis know that memory is an important function of the brain. Memory allows us to keep track of prized possessions like iPods, cell phones, and watches; it's what helps us to remember our friends' names and it's why teachers expect assignments to be turned in on time...

"Problems 2-100 are due tomorrow...please do not forget!"

"I think I just forgot..."

Let's get serious, Youthful Yogis...there are a lot of things you can do to keep your brain in good shape: eat healthy food, get lots of rest, and exercise everyday. A healthy brain supports good memory, which means you'll be able to finish those 89 math problems on time...or was it 99?!

Youthful Yogis know that yoga poses, or asanas, are also great for the noggin. Here are a few you might like to try:

Head to Knee Pose

Forward Fold

Downward Facing Dog

Last, but not least, I'd like to share some mudras with you that are great for memory.  Mudras, as you may remember, are positions or gestures that we make with our hands. They are said to help direct the flow of energy, or prana, within the body. Mudras can activate particular areas of the brain; they also feel good and they're really fun to do.

Here are two mudras that I love a lot:              

Gyan Mudra

Hakini Mudra

Gyan mudra quiets the mind; it's good for concentration and can help us to maintain a positive outlook on life. Youthful Yogis often enjoy practicing Gyan mudra while sitting quietly in meditation.

Hakini mudra is said to be good for memory as well as for finding things that are lost...no kidding! As I'm sure you can imagine,  I've been practicing Hakini mudra a lot this summer. The good news is that I found my iPod and my wristwatch. As it turns out, my cellphone was never really lost: it was right where I left it in the bottom of my purse, but it's good to have it back in any case!

I hope you'll have fun trying yoga poses and mudras for the brain, Youthful Yogis. There are a lot of good books you can look at to learn more, and also some information online.

Stay healthy, enjoy life, and I'll see you again soon!

Namaste