What is Gorakshasana? Benefits of Doing Goarakshasana or Cowherd Pose in Yoga !

Have you ever wondered about the different poses in yoga and how they benefit our bodies? Among the numerous asanas, Gorakshasana, also known as Cowherd Pose, stands out due to its impact on the physical and mental health of the practitioner. 

Gorakshasana is one of the most accessible yogic poses, which anyone can perform and significantly impacts the practitioner’s health. If you want to learn this yoga pose and know more about its benefits, you are at the right place. In this blog, you will learn about the various benefits that one can reap from the same. 

What is Gorakshasana? Benefits of Doing Goarakshasana or Cowherd Pose in Yoga!

What is Gorakshasana or Cowherd Pose? 

Gorakshasana is a seated yoga pose that requires balance and flexibility. The name comes from ‘Goraksha,’ which means Cowherd. The pose is also named after a famous saint, Yogi Gorakhnath.

How to perform Gorakshasana? 

This is a simple seated yoga posture, so it requires little expertise. Even a newbie can perform it without problems. 

Initially, the practitioner should sit on the floor with legs extended. Then, the practitioner folds the legs towards the pelvis and the soles together. Now, you have to try to put the soles below your pelvis and sit in the lotus posture. One has to maintain the posture and correct the breathing pattern to get the utmost benefits. 

Benefits of Performing Gorakshasana or Cowherd Pose 

1 – Physical Benefits 

There are numerous physical benefits to performing this asana. First, it stretches all the lower body muscles and then strengthens the legs and knees. This is beneficial for the overall endurance of strenuous tasks. 

While doing this pose, pressure is exerted on the hips and rectal part, helping reduce soreness and stretching the muscles. Additionally, it’s suitable for reducing issues related to hips and lower body functions. 

The primary benefit of this Yogic posture is for people suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It significantly increases the digestive fire and helps the practitioners have good bowel movements. It’s also beneficial for digestive issues like indigestion, hyperacidity, etc. 

2 – Psychological Benefits 

Every yogic posture benefits mental health, and gorakshasana is no exception. Cowherd Pose strengthens your mental state and reduces stress. Sitting quietly in this posture can help you relax and have a soothing experience.

In addition, Gorakshasana promotes emotional balance. The meditative part of the 

Pose encourages mindfulness, helping you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. This is quite helpful in increasing your emotional quotient in the long run. 

Precautions to Take While Doing Gorakshasana

Although Gorakshasana is generally safe for most people, it is essential to practice it with care. It’s advisable not to do this asana if one suffers from a knee or ankle injury, and it’s also necessary to avoid it when having a spinal injury.

You must warm up and stretch every body part to avoid issues. This can reduce the chances of muscle twitches as you have to stretch the lower body muscles to the extreme in this pose. 

Also, you must only do Yoga if you are feeling well. Any discomfort and pain in your body should not be neglected; resting correctly is the only way. You can get advice from a certified yoga teacher to pay proper attention to your Yoga form and knowledge. 

Final Words 

Yoga is not as complex as it seems, and simple asanas like Gorakshasana help you understand the power of the same. Gorakshasana, or Cowherd Pose, has many incredible benefits for regular and advanced yoga practitioners. In this post, we tried our best to explain the various health benefits of the Cowherd Pose in Yoga. You can learn this pose in the complete Yoga Teacher Training Course at Shivalaya Yoga Ashram and become a certified yoga trainer.