Although Gomukhasana is a seated pose used for exercise, it is widely used for pranayama as well as meditation. It is one of the 15 significant asanas described in the yoga text, Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Cow Face Pose is an excellent hip opener and as the hips are known as the storage depot for stress, anxiety and fear. So practising this pose helps to release the negative emotions and recharge your body with positive energy.
Gomukhasana is a term originating from Sanskrit word Go means ‘cow’, Mukha means ‘face’ and Asana means ‘pose’. It is named so because the shape of knees in this pose looks like the lips of a cow, feet as horns of a cow and arms resemble the ears of a cow. This pose inspires us to maintain the generosity and calmness of a cow.
Gomukhasana is a traditional yoga posture as it is mentioned in detail in the 4th-century text, Darshana Upanishad.
Sanskrit: गोमुखासन ; Gomukhāsana
Pronunciation: go-moo-KAHS-nah
Translation: Gomukha = cow face, asana = pose
Category: Seated/ Sitting
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Duration: 30 seconds-1 minute
Stretches: Shoulders, Armpits & Triceps, Hips, Thighs, Thorax
Doshas: Kapha, Pitta
Elements: Earth, Water
Regular practice of Gomukhasana works wonders for those who have stiffness in shoulders. It aids in releasing the tightness from shoulders and making it more flexible. It also flexes the spine and releases the pain of the cervical spine. By stimulating the spine, shoulders and chest muscle, it gradually improves the natural posture of the body.
This yogic posture gives a good stretching to your chest, shoulders, triceps, hips, thighs and more. So basically this one asana helps you to tone the major muscle parts of the body.
As in this pose, our chest and heart are open so it improves the flow of oxygen and blood. Hence, it relaxes our physical, mental body. Practising the Cow Pose helps to get rid of stress and anxiety.
Sciatica occurs when the herniated material from a ruptured spinal disc press upon the delicate nerve root emerging from the spinal cord, this causes radiating pain in the lower back, thigh, and calves. Practising Cow Face Pose regularly can help in curing sciatica pain.
This yogic pose has shown positive effects on kidney simulation which lead to kidneys better functioning and is found to be helpful for diabetes patients. By enhancing the working of the kidneys, thereby helps in treating diabetes. It also activates the bladder and the digestive system.
As this excellent yogic posture offers a deep hip abductor stretch which results in more relaxed hip muscles. It also works on opening the hips and making the pericardium area more accessible. This pose also improves the flow of blood flow which release the stiffness from the lower body and relieving stress. Hence it allows the flow of Prana from the unblocked chakras and activates the Muladhara, Svadhisthana and Anahata chakras.
Sushant is Meditation & Philosophy Teacher and Academic Director at Rishikesh Yogis. Sushant carries long years of experience teaching practical as well as philosophical aspects of Kundalini yoga, Kriya yoga, Hatha Yoga and Tantra philosophy.