For many, the notion of mindfulness conjures up images of yoga teachers, Tibetan monks and eccentric celebrities.

But the concept also has close ties with the business world.

Business leaders are starting to blend the rich tradition of spirituality with the research of psychology and neuroscience to create a simple, yet powerful way for business leaders to enhance their effectiveness.

Some top business schools, including Columbia Business School, have integrated the teaching of mindfulness into their curriculum. Hitendra Wadhwa, a professor of practice at the school and founder of the Institute for Personal Leadership, says that before you can master your business, you need to first master yourself and mindfulness is a path to such mastery.

At its essence, mindfulness is the art and practice of being fully present and focused on the moment. Mindfulness begins by cultivating awareness of your thoughts, feelings, values and motivations, to help bring clarity to your thinking. Some of the more popular forms of mindfulness include meditation and focused-breathing exercises. Typically, these techniques are designed to clear the mind and help you stay focused in the present.

Wadhwa explains that even though the inner-life issues that drive who you are tend get lost in the shuffle during a busy work day, they always play a role in our decisions and interactions. The challenge is being aware of these beliefs and emotions so as to harness them for positive purpose.

From a scientific perspective Dr. Romie Mushtaq, a neurologist with expertise in mind-body medicine, explains that advances in neuroimaging techniques have taught us how these mindfulness-based techniques affect neuroplasticity. In other words, the practice of mindfulness can enhance our ability to learn as well as how we manage stress.

Heres how mindfulness can benefit the business world:

Enhanced Focus

The true enemy of focus is multitasking. According to Mushtaq, multitasking depresses the brains memory and analytical functions, and it reduces blood flow to the part of the right temporal lobe, which contributes to our creative thinking.

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Mindfulness Isn't Just for the Yoga Studio