Gomukh Asana: One of the eighty-forth asanas of yoga

About Gomukh Asana

Gomukhasana is a combination of three words Go+Mukha+asana which means “Cow face posture”. In other words, it means when this asana is performed, the performer’s posture resembles a cow-head.

So it is called Gomukhasana. This is one of the eighty-four asanas of yoga practice.

How to perform this posture:

• Place the left heel on the left side of the anus.
• Bend the right leg in such a way that the right knee rests on the left knee and the sole of the right foot touches the lower part of the left thigh.
• Practice will enable you to bring the right heel to the left thigh.
• Take the left arm to the back, bend it at the elbow and bring it upward.
• Now, raise the right arm, bend it at the elbow and take it to the back.
• Raise the first and second fingers of the left hand.
• Lower the first and the second fingers of the right hand.
• If the fingers slip away, try again for the next two minutes to bring them to the position.
• Breathe slowly and keep the head and the trunk in a straight line.
• Change the hands in turn.
• However, a fat man will find it difficult to perform this asana. But constant practice will enable him to practice the asana comfortably.
• Practice this asana four times in the first week.
• Later, gradually increase the frequency and practice it six times.
• Gradually, increase the duration until the limit of fifteen minutes is reached.

Benefits of this GOMUKHASANA “COW FACE ASANA” in YOGA:

•  As this yoga posture involves all the three Bandhas, – Uddiyana Bandha, Moola Bandha, and Jalandhara Bandha, strongly, Sushumna Nadi naturally gets an abundant flow of oxygen with the result that there is control over the sense organs.
• Tumour in the axils is dissolved by this asana.
• This asana cures rheumatic arthritis of the lower leg, constipation, arm-sprain, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, fissure and backache problems, etc.
• Furthermore, this asana also helps in observing celibacy and keeping sound health.
• Moola Bandha stops automatically in this asana and so it is very helpful for practicing Pranayama.
• This asana is also useful for longtime meditation.
• The bones become strong and the joints become flexible with this asanas practice.
• This asana strengthens the lungs, the heart, and the chest.