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  • Gomukhasana ("Cow Face") Yoga Pose

    January 11, 2024 2 min read

    Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose), Yoga, Tension Relief, Posture Improvement

    Posted - January 10th, 2024 - Author: Aimeé Durán Triujeque - Yoga

    Gomukhasana - Cow Face Pose

    A yoga pose that to this day I find extremely challenging is Gomukhasana. “Go” means cow, “mukha” means face = Cow Face Pose. This seated pose is a delicious stretch for the hips, legs, shoulders and back, but since many of us live with chronic tension in those parts of our bodies, achieving the full pose may be a long journey.

    Benefits of Gomukhasana

    This asana emphasizes the opening of the chest and shoulders while engaging the legs and hips in a deep stretch. As a result, it is the best friend of an office worker! Stretching those muscle groups improves posture and relieves tension from being in a static, sitting position for hours at a time.

    Given that it is a complex pose that moves our joints in ways we aren’t used to, practicing this asana improves our concentration and awareness. Be mindful of the alignment of your knees, engage your core to protect your back and focus on keeping the spine straight. For these reasons, it’s important to come in and out of the pose slowly to avoid injuries.

    If this pose seems intimidating or too complicated, try the following modifications to make it more accessible.

    Gomukhasana Yoga Pose

    Modifications

    Meaning of Gomukhasana (Cow Face) Yoga Pose

     

    Sanskrit: 

    Gomukhasana गौमुखासन (go-moo-KAHS-anna)

    go = cow (Sanskrit go is a distant relative of the English word “cow”)

    mukha = face

    Pose: Seated

    Chakra: Root (Muladhara) & the Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)

    Crystal: Black Obsidian

    Benefit: Improves posture & flexability

    • In the advanced version of this pose, you sit on your ankles. Anyone with tight ankles will benefit from placing a blanket between the ankles and the sitting bones to reduce the pressure on the ankles and feet.
    • If your flexibility is limited and you can’t sit on your ankles, cross your legs and sit on a blanket, block or bolster to raise your pelvis. Remember that keeping a straight back is important.
    • If your hands can’t touch behind your back, use a yoga strap. Hold on to both ends until you feel.
    • The stretch in your arms. Roll your shoulders back to open your chest.

    Next time you’re feeling stiff, do a few rounds of Sun Salutations to warm up your body and get into Gomukhasana using props. Be gentle with yourself, hold the pose and breathe out all the accumulated tension. Your body will thank you!


    Expert Thoughts

    Author:  Aimeé Durán Triujeque  Category: Yoga Date:01/11/2024

    Expert outdoor writer, yoga teacher-in-training and artist born in Mexico. Aimee's personal practice has evolved into an eclectic and healing combination of Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Kundalini yoga.

     

    All Rights Reserved @2024

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