Gomukhasana: Cow face pose
Yoga stretching exercises have developed out of various elements of nature. One such exercise is called the Gomukhasana, also known as the cow face pose. This is one of the many poses of yoga where most muscles of the body are stretched.
First, sit on the ground in an upright position with your legs stretching straight in the front of you in the Dandasana or Staff pose. Then, bend your knees and put your feet on the floor. Later, slide your left foot under the right knee placing it outside the right hip. Follow this by placing your right knee over the left. You can align your knees by coming forward onto your hands.
Now take a deep breath and stretch your right arm straight out to the right side placing it parallel to the floor. Rotate the arm inwardly making the thumb turn upside down towards the floor. Then take that hand behind your back pointing it towards the wall with your right palm facing the ceiling. After this, exhale with full force and sweep that arm behind your torso, tucking the forearm inside the hollow of your lower back. Take a deep breath once again and stretch your left arm straight ahead placing it parallel to the floor. Turn the palm up and after inhaling one more time, stretch the arm straight up towards the ceiling with the palm turned back. Finally after deep exhalation, bend your left elbow and reach down for the right hand behind. Try to hook the right and left fingers if possible. Maintain this position for one minute.
Benefits
One of the major benefits of performing Gomukhasana is that it stretches the muscles of your body and makes it more flexible. It also helps to optimize one’s energy levels, thereby helping alleviate lethargy. Cow face yoga also helps tone up the muscles if done on a regular basis. You also get a sense of achievement when your hands meet each other behind your back while performing the pose.
From your thighs and knees, to your arms and shoulders, every muscle in the body is stretched with the help of cow face yoga. If your job is sedentary and hardly gives you a chance to get off the chair, cow face pose is highly recommended in order to stretch those stiff ligaments. Those who suffer from ailments like arthritis and hernia can benefit a lot from this form of yoga as it removes any restrictions in movement.
Steps to perform Gomukhasana (Cow Face Yoga)
First, sit on the ground in an upright position with your legs stretching straight in the front of you in the Dandasana or Staff pose. Then, bend your knees and put your feet on the floor. Later, slide your left foot under the right knee placing it outside the right hip. Follow this by placing your right knee over the left. You can align your knees by coming forward onto your hands.
Now take a deep breath and stretch your right arm straight out to the right side placing it parallel to the floor. Rotate the arm inwardly making the thumb turn upside down towards the floor. Then take that hand behind your back pointing it towards the wall with your right palm facing the ceiling. After this, exhale with full force and sweep that arm behind your torso, tucking the forearm inside the hollow of your lower back. Take a deep breath once again and stretch your left arm straight ahead placing it parallel to the floor. Turn the palm up and after inhaling one more time, stretch the arm straight up towards the ceiling with the palm turned back. Finally after deep exhalation, bend your left elbow and reach down for the right hand behind. Try to hook the right and left fingers if possible. Maintain this position for one minute.
Benefits
One of the major benefits of performing Gomukhasana is that it stretches the muscles of your body and makes it more flexible. It also helps to optimize one’s energy levels, thereby helping alleviate lethargy. Cow face yoga also helps tone up the muscles if done on a regular basis. You also get a sense of achievement when your hands meet each other behind your back while performing the pose.
From your thighs and knees, to your arms and shoulders, every muscle in the body is stretched with the help of cow face yoga. If your job is sedentary and hardly gives you a chance to get off the chair, cow face pose is highly recommended in order to stretch those stiff ligaments. Those who suffer from ailments like arthritis and hernia can benefit a lot from this form of yoga as it removes any restrictions in movement.
