go =cow (Sanskrit go is a distant relative of the English word "cow")
MUKHA = face
It is called "cow-face" because in this pose the lower limbs resemble the face of the cow. The two knees with the gap in between look like the mouth and the shin, the side of the face. The feet look like the ears of the cow.
Benefits
- GOMUKHASANA helps induce relaxation. When you feel tired, tense or worried, practicing this asana can help release the tension.
- Help stimulates the kidneys and decrease sexual weakness
- Helpful in relieving ailments like diabetes, high blood pressure and sexual malfunction
- Helps remove stiffness in the spine, neck and shoulders.
- Develops the chest and improves breathing
- Stretches the muscles of the lower back, buttocks and the knees and helps with backache, sciatica and rheumatism
Description of the asana
Step by Step
Sit in DANDASANA (Staff Pose),then bend your knees and put your feet on the floor. Slide your left foot under the right knee to the outside of the right hip. Then cross your right leg over the left, stacking the right knee on top of the left, and bring the right foot to the outside of the left hip. Try to bring the heels equidistant from the hips: with the right leg on top you ll have to tug the right heel in closer to the left hip. Sit evenly on the sitting bones.
Inhale and stretch your right arm straight out to the right, parallel to the floor. Rotate your arm inwardly; the thumb will turn first toward the floor, then point toward the wall behind you,with the palm facing the ceiling. This movement will roll your right shoulder slightly up and forward, and round your upper back. With a full exhalation,sweep the arm behind your torso and tuck the forearm in the hollow of your lower back, parallel to your waist, with the right elbow against the right side of your torso. Roll the shoulder back and down, then work the forearm up your back until it is parallel to your spine. The back of your hand will be between your shoulder blades. See that your right elbow does not slip away from the right side of your torso.
Now inhale and stretch your left arm straight forward, pointing toward the opposite wall, parallel to the floor.Turn the palm up and, with another inhalation, stretch the arm straight up to ward the ceiling, palm turned back. Lift actively through your left arm, then with an exhalation, bend the elbow and reach down for the right hand. If possible, hook the right and left fingers.
Lift the left elbow toward the ceiling and, from the back armpit, descend the right elbow toward the floor.Firm your shoulder blades against your back ribs and lift your chest. Try to keep the left arm right beside the left side of your head.
Stay in this pose about 1 minute.Release the arms, uncross the legs, and repeat with the arms and legs reversed for the same length of time. Remember that whichever leg is on top, the same-sidearm is lower.