Ashwini Mudra and its amazing benefits
22 Apr 2023 HYN Himalayan Yoga Academy
We could never have predicted how much more of an effect our hectic lifestyle and unhealthy habits would have on our health. We now have the ability to undo the harm and embark on a healthy path, thanks to yoga asanas, exercises, and a diet filled with wholesome recipes.
Ashwini Mudra: What is it?
In English, Ashwini Mudra is known as horse motion or horse mudra. Ashwini Mudrayoga, a form of hatha yoga, includes contracting and relaxing the anal sphincter in a way that relieves constipation and hemorrhoids while assisting in bringing pranic energy up to the body. The term “horse mudra” refers to the rhythmic activity that horses engage in on a regular basis, during which they contract and relax the entire pelvic region as well as the buttock muscles, sphincter, and perineum of the body.
How to do Ashwini Mudra: Steps-
The Ashwini Mudra can come in a variety of forms. These are two of them:
Ashwini Mudra (Variety I)
- Sit tall and straight in Padmasana and comfort your body.
- Eyes closed, begin inhaling. Spend a few minutes focusing on your respiration as it occurs naturally.
- Now tense/ contract the anus sphincter muscle for a few seconds, without pulling or straining and keep the whole body relaxed. Make sure that you only clench in the anal region during this exercise as far as possible.
- Repeat the contraction for about 5 minutes.
- Try to execute the contraction and relaxation cycle as smoothly and rhythmically as you can. You can progressively tighten the constriction even more.
Ashwini Mudra (Variation 2)
Try to sit on a towel that has been rolled up or on your heels for this variation of the Ashwini Mudra. View images of Ashwini Mudra to learn how. The Muladhara Chakra will feel more pressure as a result of this. Following are the steps for performing Ashwini Mudra Yoga: Fill the lungs to one-third of their maximum capacity by inhaling. Right now, quickly constrict and relax your anus twice. You should repeat this at least 15 times, roughly. Exhale gradually. 15 times, go through the entire inhalation and muscle contraction procedure. After that, slowly exhale.
Give it another go. For the third and last time, fill the lungs to one-third of their maximum capacity. The last 15 repetitions were spent contracting and relaxing the muscles. Don’t breathe out at this point. Instead, bring the shoulders forward and press the chin with the chest. You’ll feel the heat. Now exhale through your nose to let the stress leave. The energy will be felt throughout your entire body.
Things to Consider
Even though Ashwini Mudra has many excellent advantages, there is something you should keep in mind before doing the exercises. These consist of:
When a woman is pregnant or menstruating, she shouldn’t practice the Ashwini Mudra. It can be used to treat problems like bedwetting and is also a type of yoga for youngsters. You should stay away from Ashwini Mudra yoga if you have serious uterine problems. Doing Ashwini Mudra asana is not recommended for anyone with conditions such an enlarged thyroid, slipped disc, enlarged liver, or spleen. Do Ashwini Mudra sparingly because doing it repeatedly can have negative effects on your health. Never perform the Ashwini Mudra while moving. In addition to this, you can perform it while lying down, standing, or in any other position. To do the Ashwini Mudra correctly, you shouldn’t merely rely on pictures of it. Consult with a yoga specialist for advice.
Advantages of Ashwini Mudra :
- Effective For Piles: Ashwini Mudra promotes healthy digestion in addition to other things. Additionally, it can be a beneficial kind of yoga for conditions associated to the anal and rectum, such as piles, hemorrhoids, and others. The blood circulation throughout the area is improved when you tighten the anal sphincter while performing this stance. This speeds up the process of healing and lessens localized pain and burning. So, if you have piles or another similar condition, we advise you to practice Ashwini Mudra frequently.
- Improved Digestion: One of the key advantages of Ashwini Mudra is improved digestion. The position aids in easing gas and constipation problems. It increases the flow of prana into the internal organs, making them more robust and disease-resistant. If you regularly practice Ashwini Mudra, you may also notice an improvement in your bowel motions.
- Enhances Sexual Health: Ashwini Mudra is frequently used to improve sexual health. Men will particularly benefit from this. The pelvic muscles, perineum, sphincter, and entire pelvic area are repeatedly contracted and relaxed in the Ashwini Mudra pose. These provide the sex muscles additional power and endurance while also strengthening them. Additionally, the position enhances pelvic blood flow, which adds to the pleasure of sex.
What’s next? Additionally, yoga enhances sexual pleasure by arousing the earth and water chakras’ sexual energies.
- Strengthens Uterine Muscles: It has been observed that Ashwini Mudra can assist ladies in resolving any uterine-related health issues. This organ is responsible for growing the fetus and carrying the child until birth. For this reason, uterine muscles need to be powerful. Furthermore, uterine muscles that are strong aid in relaxing the menstrual cycle. It has been shown that performing Ashwini Mudra and Mul Bandha together can strengthen the uterus muscles.
- Reduces Stress and Depression: We live fast-paced lives, which can occasionally cause undue stress. Depression can develop from long-term, constant stress. As you are aware, yoga is effective in battling both stress and depression. In a similar vein, Ashwini Mudra moves. It can support the adrenal gland’s healthy operation and regulate the body’s level of the stress hormone cortisol.
- Beneficial During Pregnancy: Ashwini Mudra asana can also be done to ensure a healthy pregnancy. It is well known for supporting the fetus’ gradually increasing weight. To strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, some women practice this yoga both before and after becoming pregnant.
- Supports Healthy Skin: It may come as a surprise, but Ashwini Mudra can help people achieve healthy, clear skin. It indirectly results in improved skin because it eliminates serious stomach-related disorders. Additionally, it supports a healthy hormonal system and endocrine system, which keeps your skin looking young and vibrant.
The Last Few Words
Now that you know everything there is to know about the horse gesture, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to use by incorporating it into your daily routine. If you are a beginner, it is advised that you obtain professional advice on how to carry out this yoga correctly. This will not only make sure that you get the most out of all the advantages but also protect you from any negative effects that can result from using Ashwini improperly.