I took a one-on-one yoga class last weekend. Throughout our practice my instructor kept reminding me to focus all of my attention on the part of my body where I felt it most. So when I was in a super challenging pose that required a lot of strength–I focused not only on my breath, but also on the muscle or muscles that were working the hardest. Or if I was doing a stretch that was particularly hard, I’d focus on the least flexible point to get deeper into the pose.

This is a good philosophy for any kind of training, not just yoga. Studies have shown that if you focus intently on flexing your bicep during a curl, you’ll work harder to build that muscle than if your mind wanders. And it’s certainly more productive to think about the area you need work than the difficulty of the work. So next time you’re trying to get through the last few reps of weight lifting or the last few minutes of an activity, bring all of your attention to that hard working muscle and see if you can push yourself that extra step.