International Yoga Day 2020: Gomukhasana is a Sanskrit word consisting of two words. The first word "go" means "cow" and the second word "mukh" means "mouth". This asana means the mouth of a cow, known as Cow Face Pose. In this posture, the thighs and both hands are thin at one end and wide at the other end, due to which they look like the face of a cow. It is the most popular posture in the category of Hatha Yoga. Gomukhasana is beneficial and very easy to do for women. This asana strengthens the muscles of our shoulders and thighs that help reduce weight. Let us know in detail about the methods of Gomukhasana, its benefits and precautions.
Health benefits of Gomukhasana Yoga Asana
There are many benefits of doing this yoga. Let us know in detail about the benefits of Gomukhasana:
- Asthma: It is an outstanding yoga practice for the lungs and helps in respiratory diseases. It makes the chest firm and increases its capacity by cleaning the lungs. Therefore asthma patients should practise this asana regularly.
- Cervical Spondylitis: By practising this asana, you can get rid of many troubles such as shoulder stiffness, neck pain, and cervical spondylitis.
- Strength of the arms: If you want to strengthen the back and arm muscles, then practice this asana.
- Hip pain relief: If you are suffering from the pain of hips, then practice this asana.
- For the spine: It keeps the spine straight and also makes it strong.
- Haemorrhoids: It is considered a beneficial yoga practise for haemorrhoids.
- Back pain: With its regular practice, you can get relief from the troubles of back pain.
- Liver and kidney: It plays an essential role in keeping your liver and kidney healthy.
- Makes the body flexible: By doing this asana, the body becomes stable and resilient.
- Diabetes: It stimulates your pancreas and helps control diabetes.
How to do Gomukhasana aka Cow Face Pose with Right Technique and Posture?
Here we are giving some easy steps to do this asana, and you can easily do this yoga by following it.
Step by Step Instructions
- To do this asana, sit in an open ventilated place in the Sukhasana or cross-legged posture on the mat.
- After this, pull your left leg towards your body and place your right foot on the thighs of the left leg and pull it close to your body.
- Now put your right hand above the shoulder and take as much as you can behind your back by turning the elbow from here.
- Now bend your left hand from the elbow and take it from the side of the stomach to the backside.
- Now stay in this posture for some time and breathe 10-12 times.
- When you feel discomfort in this situation, then you should come back to your initial position. For this, open both your hands and straighten the legs.
Things to keep in mind before performing Gomukhasana
For many people, initially, both hips often do not stick to the floor evenly. Because of this, it can be challenging to keep the knees on top of each other, and the spine is not able to straighten correctly. If this happens to you, make a blanket fold under your hips so that both the bones are equal. If you have less flexibility in your shoulders, you may face difficulty holding hands. If this happens, take a small towel, and hold each end with both sides.
Precautions for Gomukhasana or Cow Face Yoga Pose
- If you have pain in the shoulder, neck, knee, do not do this asana.
- If you are suffering from back pain, then you must consult the doctor before performing this asana.
- If you are pregnant, do not do this asana in the first three months.
- If blood is coming from your haemorrhoids, do not do this asana.
- Do not force if there is difficulty in holding the hand behind the back.
- If there is any problem or pain in the spine, do not do this asana.
Perform these asanas before performing Gomukhasana
- Baddha Konasana or Bound Angle Pose
- Virasana or Hero Pose
- Titli asana or Butterfly Pose
- Supta Padangusthasana or Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose
Perform these asanas after performing Gomukhasana
- Half Lord of the Fishes Pose or Ardha Matsyendrasana
- Garudasana or Eagle Pose
- Marichyasana or Pose of Marichi
- Padmasana or Lotus Pose
- Paschimottanasana or Seated Forward Bend
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