The Yoga Bridge

Gomukhasana, The cow pose. As per the photo. Step by step instruction can be found in ” Light On Yoga”, B.K.S. Iyengar, pages 114-116.

” Go means a cow. Mukha means face. 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.

Technique

1. Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in front. (Plate 77)

2. Place the palms on the floor and raise the seat.

3. Bend the left knee back and sit on the left foot  from the floor, raise the right leg and place the right thigh over the left one. Raise the buttocks and with the help of the hands bring the ankles and the back of the heels together till they touch each other.

4. Rest the ankles, keeping the toes pointing back.

5. Raise the left arm over the head, bend it at the elbow and place the left palm below the nape of the neck between the shoulders. Lower the right until the right hand is level with and between the shoulder-blades. Clasp the hands behind the back between the shoulders. (Front view: Plate 80. Back view: Plate 81) ”

** This information is for educational purposes only.  Doing yoga without proper instruction from a certified Iyengar teacher could be hazardous to oneself.  If seeking an instructor please see link.  https://secure.iynaus.org/search

When a cow sits down, they fold their legs. If one uses their imagination, the pose has some resemblance. Lately, the yoga studio has been doing this pose in every class.  Every time I did gomukhasana, I immediately felt a lot of pain in the deltoids and in both shoulder blades. A burning pain like a knife plunged into the shoulder-blades. Progress has been slow. After a year and half, not much progress. At present time,  no chance of grasping the fingers.  We use a strap to bridge the gap but its not very satisfying.   I wish I knew what was going on with the shoulders. Scar tissue in the shoulder joints? dislocation? Improper technique? An instructor, whom is a physical therapist,  told me I had lordosis and kyphosis. Is this related to the inability to clasp hands?

My home practices is sporadic. I had done yoga everyday but not a series nor at dawn. Time to get back on the saddle. Creating a home yoga practice will take time, multiple attempts, and perseverance because its a new habit.

Sutras study. I watched a few YouTube videos of people reciting Patanjali’s Samadhi Pada. Ok. It was a bit odd. I doubt that I will do the butchery of Sanskrit pronunciation on YouTube , which could make Patanjali cringe, unless there is a great out pour of blogger support. Learning the Samadhi Pada, unless a break through, will take six months.