Our mind is comparable to a naughty little toddler - always on the move, randomly moody, refuses to calm down and full of questions that don't always have answers! Since my childhood I have been advised by the elders in the family or well-meaning teachers to practice 'Trataka' before starting my daily homework or studies. Specifically, "wake up before sunrise" and practice this, especially to ace all exams. The logic behind that I later found was not to be top of the class (of course that would be a great by-product) but to generally help a teenager to have more control over her thoughts, actions and eventually life in general.

Trataka is a method to develop concentration or 'ekagrata'. Trataka is one of the six purification methods (Shatkarmas) and is a simple, yet powerful practice in Hatha Yoga. The technique has to do with fixing ones gaze on one point.

At the beginning it is recommended to focus on external objects. With due progress you can use subtle objects such as an inner sound or an idea to achieve concentration. In my experience I have found that these simple practices are great tools in the path of ekagrata - a sattvik state of mind as in deep meditation. All exercises in concentration help to strengthen eyesight, stimulate the brain, control the wavering mind, maintain healthy blood pressure and heart rate, and bring a feeling of blissful thought-free calmness.

• Concentration on nature

One of my favorite things to do is lie in a park and gaze at the sky. The sky is just like our mind - a plain sheet of blue with clouds floating through. Thoughts come and go just like clouds. Gaze at the sky and let the thoughts travel in and out. After a minute close your eyes and try to see that sky on the back of your eyelids as if they were a projector screen.

• Concentration on reading

Try reading a poem or a passage from a self-help book.close the book and your eyes, and try to remember everything you just read. Make a mind-map if you will of the important points to note, any interesting quotes or suggestions you would like to carry in your own life. With full concentration try to see the entire page in your mind's eye.

• Concentration on sound

Singing bowls are a great tool to use if you are trying to do a sound meditation. If you are at the beach listen closely to the sound of waves, on a rainy day listen to the pattering of rain on the ground. Withdraw your sense of sight during the process. Only focus on hearing what falls on on your ears and then slowly eliminate other sounds and only listen deeply to the one sound that you are meditating on. It is an immensely calming exercise!

• Concentration on candle flame

Sit in a comfortable position in a quiet and relatively dark room. Light a candle and place it somewhere around eye level. Gaze intently at the flame for as long as possible without blinking. Notice all the warm colors - yellow, orange and red hue; can you see the little black area at the center of the flame? Look and remember all the details as if your life depended on it, sans the stress of course! Then close your eyes and picture the flame, just relax and allow yourself to reap the benefits of this classic exercise in concentration.

• Concentration on a picture of OM

Find a comfortable position and place a tratak board with the symbol 'OM' on it. Similar to the candle flame exercise, look at the OM - take in all its curves and edges. Make a mental picture and close your eyes to reimagine this same picture behind your eyelids. You may open your eyes and re-look at the tratak board when the image in your mind fades away, and repeat the process and let all the wonderful endorphins do their work.

What was your experience with these tips for concentration and I would love to know if you have any other creative ideas. Keep calm and share on!