A Beginner's Guide To Gorakshasana And Its Surprising Benefits

Do you know yoga is not just about body postures or breathing techniques? It also helps improve the body and mental strength, helping you regain your concentration power. Yoga aims to attain physical and psychological well-being and inner and spiritual insights.

However, it is a challenging pose and requires professional guidance to perform to avoid injuries and strains. In this blog, we will discuss one of the best yoga asanas, Gorakshasana, also known as Cowherd pose, including its steps, health benefits, tips, precautions, and more. So, let’s get started!

What Is Gorakshasana?

Gorakshasana, also known as Cowherd Pose, is a significant yoga posture popular for multiple health benefits. This yoga posture is named after a legendary yogi, Guru Goraknath, who invented it. This asana is believed to have originated in India and is followed worldwide.

It is an intermediate-level yoga posture in which the entire body weight is balanced with the feet. However, the practitioner needs to be flexible from the lower leg area to perform this asana efficiently without discomfort. Gorakshasana is a beneficial yoga recommended to beginners and advanced yoga practitioners.

Steps to Perform Gorakshasana
These are the steps to perform Gorakshasana:

Sit on the floor with your legs stretched in front of you.
Now, bend your right leg, place your foot against your left thigh, and close to your groin.
Bend your left leg and put your left foot on the top of your right thigh. Your left foot sole should face upward, and the rest will be against your right hip.
Put your hands on your knees and sit in a comfortable position.
Take a deep breath, release it slowly, and relax your body.
Hold this position for as long as possible, and breathe deeply and comfortably.
To release this pose, gently unfold your legs and stretch them out.
Repeat the pose by crossing your left leg over your right.

Health Benefits of Gorakshasana

Gorakshasana is a seated yoga posture that provides various health benefits to the practitioner. Here are some of the significant health benefits of Gorakshasana:

Increases Flexibility: Gorakshasana posture stretches the muscles of the body parts, including thighs, hips, and lower back, which increases and enhances overall flexibility. It also helps release tension and tightness in some areas, making the movement easier.
Improved Digestion: It helps stimulate the digestive system and relieves digestive issues like gas, constipation, and bloating. It stretches and compresses the abdominal muscles, improving blood circulation to the digestive organs and promoting healthy digestion.

Boosts Blood Circulation: Gorakshasana also increases blood circulation in the body, stimulating blood flow to the legs, which helps in relieving fatigue and preventing varicose veins.
Activates Kundalini: Gorakshasana stimulates kundalini and helps in its awakening. It spreads energy throughout the body’s chakras and slows aging. Whoever practices this asana feels energetic and relaxed. It also helps in enhancing concentration and complete awareness.
Improves Body Posture: It can help improve overall body posture by strengthening the muscles of the abdomen and back. It also stretches the chest and shoulder muscles, releasing tension.
Helps With Menstrual Issues: It can benefit women suffering from menstrual issues like PCOD, PCOS, irregular periods, cramps, etc. It helps in stimulating the blood flow to the reproductive organs and releasing tension in the pelvic area.

Tips to Improve the Practice of Gorakshasana

Here are some tips to follow to enhance the practice of Gorakshasana and see positive results:

Do It Empty Stomach: Practicing this asana on an empty stomach or after having a light breakfast meal is recommended. Feeling full can make it difficult to breathe, causing discomfort in the abdominal area. If you have had the meal, it is best to wait for at least two hours after the meal before practicing this asana.
Warm-Up Before Practicing: It is important to stretch with soft movements. It decreases the chances of injury and prepares the body for the asana. Cat-cow stretches, seated twists, and shoulder circles are some gentle movements you can do.
Focus On Breathing: Focusing on breathing helps calm the mind and improve concentration. Take deep and slow breaths, and try to balance the pose with even breaths.
Listen To Your Body: It is important to listen to your body and avoid going beyond the limits your body can sustain. Hence, do not push and stop immediately if you feel any pain, strain, or discomfort. Avoid doing forceful stretches and focus on relaxing your body and taking deep breaths.

Things to Take Care of While Doing Gorakshasana

These are some things that you need to consider while doing Gorakshasana:

Breath: Focusing on our breath while doing this asana is important. It will help you calm your mind and improve your concentration during the practice. Therefore, take a deep breath and maintain it throughout it.

Focus On Flexibility: This posture requires flexibility in the body. If you are new to performing yoga for the first time, starting with stretching to build flexibility before doing this asana is important. Also, for beginners, it is recommended to do it under the guidance of a trained yoga teacher.
Body Posture: Maintaining proper body structure while practicing this asana is essential. Make sure your spine and hips are straight. You can also use props like blankets to maintain proper alignment.
Practicing Everyday For Better Results: You should perform this asana daily to see flexibility. Hence, try to do this asana at least 3 to 4 times weekly to see the positive results.
Time To Do It: It is best to practice Gorakshasana early morning or evening. However, do not practice it full stomach or when the body is too tired, as it can lead to discomfort, making the body stiff.

Conclusion

Gorakshasana is a significant yoga posture that helps in providing several health benefits, such as increasing flexibility, enhancing concentration, boosting blood circulation, reducing stress, and more. However, performing this asana under a trained yoga teacher is imperative to prevent complications. So, what are you waiting for? Incorporate this into your daily routine, and improve your overall health!

A Beginner’s Guide To Gorakshasana And Its Surprising Benefits