COW FACE POSE

Gomukhasana (goh-muhk-HAHS-anna)

BENEFITS OF COW FACE POSE

  • Stretches arms
  • Builds flexibility
  • Stretches the hips
  • Strengthens upper back muscles

SUMMARY OF COW FACE POSE

Cow Face Pose, or Gomukhasana, has a similar name to Cow Pose, but the two are entirely different. Cow Face Pose is a twisting sitting pose where the hands are clasped behind the back. Cow Pose is done on all fours with the abdomen hanging low. Cow Face Pose got its name because the twisting legs look like a cow chewing its cud. This pose invites thoughtful contemplation, amidst all that twisting. Note that this pose does require a fair amount of flexibility, so be prepared to warm up or build up to this pose.

COW FACE POSE TUTORIAL

Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) - Yoga Pose

1.) Sit down on a mat with your legs crossed.

Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) - Yoga Pose

2.)Move your right leg so that it crosses over your left leg with your foot on the ground near your left hip.

Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) - Yoga Pose

3.) Breathe. Now take your right hand and place it along the center of your back, over your head.

Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) - Yoga Pose

4.) Then move your left hand so that it is also behind your back, and clasp hands, creating a vertical line.

Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana) - Yoga Pose

5.) Sit up straight and breathe. Hold this position for up to 30 seconds.

Cow Face Pose

6) To release, simply unclasp your hands and release your legs. Reset on the opposite side.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COW FACE POSE

COW FACE POSE FOR ATHLETES

Cow Face Pose is great for developing arm strength and flexibility. This posture helps athletes in a variety of sports stretch their arms, back and hips and offers relief from over training.

COW FACE POSE FOR LEG FLEXIBILITY

Cow Face Pose is a good pose to help the legs twist in fairly unusual positions. This is good for opening up the hips and helping the legs stay loose.

COW FACE POSE FOR POSTURE

Cow Face Pose pulls you up and back, opening your chest. If you sit at a desk for much of the day or hunch over a screen or phone, this is a great countering position to rebalance your center.

Contraindications & Cautions

  • Shoulder injury
  • Neck injury
  • Knee injury

Modifications & Deepening the Pose

MODIFYING COW FACE POSE FOR LEG STRETCH

If your legs are having trouble maintaining the twist, it’s fine just to leave the bottom knee down for stability. You can have the upper leg in a foot-on-floor position wherever it best fits. Note, also, that your feet don’t have to be right up against your hips. If it’s easier with them further out from your body, that’s fine as long as you are able to safely maintain your balance. If all you can do to start with is work on the leg twisting aspect of the pose, that’s fine. Take this in stages that work for you.

MODIFYING COW FACE POSE FOR ARM STRETCH

It could be that your two hands simply cannot meet each other behind your back. This is where a yoga strap is useful. Hold the yoga strap in the upper hand and reach the lower hand around to grab and hold it. Gently walk the fingers to give a stretch, but do not over-do it. You can practice just this aspect of the pose on its own.

MODIFYING COW FACE POSE FOR BUTTOCKS COMFORT

If your buttocks are uncomfortable in this position due to the pressure on them, place a soft blanket beneath you. You can use a cushion if that is easier for you. These sorts of options will provide gentle support.

MODIFYING COW FACE POSE FOR A DEEPER FLEXIBILITY

To make this pose even more challenging, once you have all the twists and hand grips in place, slowly bend forward, keeping your spine straight. You will feel this adjustment through your glutes and hips