GOMUKHASANA & BENEFITS

 

(Cow-Face Posture)

When this asana is demonstrated it will look like the face of a cow. Hence this significant name. (Gomukha means ‘cow-face’.)

Technique:

Place the heel of the left leg under the left part of the anus. Bring the right leg in such a way that the right knee will be above the left knee and the right leg in such a way that the right knee will be above the left knee and the right sole along the side of the left thigh in close contact. By gradual practice you will have to bring the right heel to touch the left buttock. Sit quite erect. Now you will have to make a finger-lock of the two index-fingers at the back dexterously, of course with a little difficulty in the beginning. Take the left hand to the back, raise the left index-fingers at the back dexterously, of course with a little difficulty in the beginning. Take the left hand to the back, raise the left index-finger upwards. Bring the right hand over the right shoulder and down the back, with the back, with the index-finger downwards, and firmly catch hold of the left index-finger. Make a finger-lock now. If it slips, try again, and keep the lock for two minutes. Breathe slowly. The asana will now look like the face of a cow. When you make the finger lock, do not turn the body; do not bend the heel and chest. Keep the trunk quite straight. Change the arms and legs alternately. Fat people will find it difficult to do this asana, to adjust the heels and thighs and to make the finger-lock; but continual practice will make them alright.

If you find a little congestion of blood in the thighs, massage them with your hands as soon as you release the posture.

Benefits: This asana removes rheumatism in the legs, sciatica, piles or haemorrhoids, neuralgia of the legs and thighs, indigestion, dyspepsia, muscular pain in the back and sprain in the forearms. This helps in maintaining brahmacharya and good health. Mula bandha comes by itself and can be kept up with ease. Hence, this asana is suitable for the practice of pranayama. Ordinarily you can sit at all times in this asana without having a finger-lock.

You can sit in this asana for long meditation also. Lean persons with thin thighs and legs will like it very much. Yogi Swami Swarupananda of Jwalapur, Hardwar, was a votary of this asana. He used to sit in it always. It was his favourite.