Super Brain Yoga: The Ear Holding Squat, Honestly Explained

Yoga for health 4 illustrations Updated 2 Nov 2026

Super brain yoga is a simple exercise that has become popular with students and parents: you cross the arms, hold your earlobes, and squat down and up slowly while breathing in a set pattern. It is based on a traditional Indian practice done in schools and places of worship, now repackaged with claims that it boosts brain power and concentration.

Read on for safe steps, the claims, the thin evidence, and other yoga for concentration that students can use before study and exams.

What it is: Ear holding squats with breathing
Reps: 10 to 21, about 2 to 3 minutes
Breath: Inhale going down, exhale coming up
Claims: Better focus and memory
Evidence: Very limited, mostly anecdotal
Skip if: Knee pain, balance problems

How to do super brain yoga

Stand with feet about shoulder width apart, facing forward.
Cross the arms in front of the chest: the left hand holds the right earlobe, the right hand holds the left earlobe, right arm in front.
Press the tongue lightly to the roof of the mouth if you wish, as some versions suggest.
Breathe in and squat down slowly, as far as is comfortable.
Breathe out and rise slowly back to standing.
Repeat 10 to 21 times.

Super brain yoga in pictures

Super brain yoga starting position standing tall with arms crossed holding the earlobes — Level
Easy
Hold
Setup
Works on
Posture
Start standing tall. The left hand holds the right earlobe and the right hand holds the left, with the right arm in front.
**Teacher's cue:** Hold the earlobes gently between thumb and forefinger, no pulling.

Super brain yoga squat with knees bent, arms crossed holding the ears and back upright — Level
Easy
Hold
10 to 21 reps
Works on
Legs, coordination
Squat down on an inhale as far as comfortable, keeping the back upright, then rise on the exhale.
**Teacher's cue:** Keep the heels down and the chest lifted as you lower.

Student sitting at a study desk doing slow breathing before studying — Level
All levels
Hold
3 minutes
Works on
Concentration
Several minutes of unhurried breathing before opening the books is a reliable way to gather attention.
**Teacher's cue:** Count ten slow breaths before opening the book.

Tree pose balance practised for focus before study — Level
Easy
Hold
5 breaths each side
Works on
Focus
Balance poses like tree pose demand steady attention and are a quick reset between study sessions.
**Teacher's cue:** Fix your eyes on one point and notice how still the mind becomes.

What super brain yoga claims

Promoters say that pressing the earlobes stimulates points linked to the brain, and that the squats with breathing balance the left and right hemispheres, improving memory, focus and even behaviour in children. Super brain yoga benefits are often presented with videos and testimonials. Brain yoga for students has become a popular phrase on that basis.

What the evidence shows

There are no good quality scientific studies showing that super brain yoga improves memory or intelligence. The exercise itself is harmless for healthy people and is light exercise, which can help alertness for a short while, like any brief movement break. If children enjoy it as a quick activity between lessons, fine; just do not expect it to change grades on its own.

Better yoga for concentration

Slow breathing: three minutes of anulom vilom before study.
Balance poses: vrikshasana and eagle pose demand focus.
Movement breaks: a few sun salutations every hour.
Bhramari: a humming breath to settle a racing mind; see bhramari pranayama.
Sleep: no practice beats a full night's sleep for memory.

Benefits of yoga for students that research supports include lower stress and better attention when practised regularly.

A five minute brain yoga exercise routine for students

One minute of slow breathing, ten super brain yoga squats if you enjoy them, tree pose on each side, three rounds of humming breath, then a minute sitting still with eyes closed. Do it before homework or revision.

Safety

Skip the squats with knee pain or poor balance; do the breathing and tree pose near a wall instead. Children should do gentle reps without competition. For younger children, see yoga for kids.

If a child has ongoing trouble with attention, memory or learning, talk to a doctor or school counsellor; these can have treatable causes. Mudra for concentration ideas, such as a concentration mudra like gyan mudra, are fine as calm habits, and yoga for brain health or yoga for memory power works best as part of good sleep, food and exercise.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have a diagnosed condition, are pregnant, recently had surgery or take regular medicine, ask your doctor which practices suit you, and stop at any sharp pain, dizziness or chest discomfort.