GOMUKHASANA

‘Go’ means a cow Mukha means face 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.

Technique:
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 the 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 two minutes to bring them to the position. Breathe slowly. Keep the trunk and the head in the straight line. Change the hands in turn. 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 till the limit of fifteen minutes is reached

Advantages
Ø As this asana involves all the three Bandhas (Jalandhara Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and Moola Bandha) strongly, Sushumna Nadi naturally gets an abundant flow of oxygen with the result that there is control over the sense organs.
Ø Tumour in the axilla is dissolved by this asana.
Ø This asana is in the category of Padmasana and Siddhasana and therefore the advantages which can be obtained from Padmasana and Siddhasana can be obtained from this asana also.
Ø This asana cures rheumatic arthritis of’ the lower legs and fissure.
Ø This asana cures constipation, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, backache and arm-sprain.
Ø This asana helps in observing celibacy and keeping sound health.
Ø Moola Bandha stops automatically in this asana and so it is very helpful for practicing Pranayama.
Ø This asana is useful for long time meditation.
Ø Joints become flexible and the bones become strong.
Ø This asana strengthens the chest, the lungs and the heart.