Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)
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Yoga Techniques and Fitness
Overview
In this lesson, we present Gomukhasana, a seated pose that simultaneously stretches the hips and shoulders in opposite directions.
Objective
Become familiar with how this pose prepares the body for more advanced arm balances and inversions while addressing common areas of tightness in modern bodies.
What You'll Get
You'll learn how to work with the unique challenge of stacking the knees while threading the arms behind the back. We break down what's happening in the deep hip rotators and shoulder joints, why this pose shows up as preparation for inversions and twists, and how to modify for students with knee sensitivity or shoulder restrictions. You'll also understand why the pose is centering despite being physically demanding.
Gomukhasana
“go” = cow
“mukha” = face
Cow Face Pose
Gomukha means one whose face resembles a cow. It also means a kind of a musical instrument narrow at one end and broad at the other like the face of a cow. – B.K.S. Iyengar
Gomukha is the name of the source of the river Ganges, a sacred place of pilgrimage. (Joseph LePage)
Heart of Pose
Hip & Shoulder Stretch
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