The word Kukkutasana comes from Kukkut – meaning Rooster/Cock and Asana – meaning pose. The practitioner resembles the pose of a rooster while practicing this asana. It is no doubt a complicated asana but, the health benefits of kukkutasana are vast and varied. Even ancient scriptures like Gheranda Samhita and Hatha Yoga Pradeepika have references of this asana.
So, let’s now take a look at how you can perform this asana.
- Sit cross-legged in your yoga mat in Padmasana position.
- Now put your hands through the gap in your legs (between the calf muscles and the thigh) in a way that your palms are on the mat.
- Make sure that your fingers are pointing forward.
- Take a deep breath and try to lift your entire body by pushing your palms.
- While you maintain this position, try to breathe normally.
- Exhale, come back to your mat and release from the pose. Contraindications
Though, the benefits of cockerel pose are many but, if you are suffering from heart or lung problems, stay away from it. Also, those suffering from gastric ulcers or enlarged spleen should avoid practicing this pose.
Beginners are always advised to perform this pose under the guidance of an expert yoga teacher.
Preparatory Poses
• Ujjayi Pranayama
• Surya Namaskar
• Uddiyana Bandha
• Mula Bandha
Kukkutasana requires a lot of flexibility and strength to achieve it to perfection. However, the most important requirement for the pose is willpower. An excellent asana for both the mind and the body, here’s a list of the top 5 health benefits of kukkutasana.
1. Strengthens Your Stomach, Chest, Arms and Shoulder
The best part about kukkutasana is that it stretches your entire upper body including the stomach, chest, arms and shoulder. This helps in smooth flow of blood to these areas which strengthen and tone the muscles. Also, daily practice of this asana reduces risk of injury and prevents any sort of pain in the stomach, chest, arms and shoulder.
2. Improves Digestion Ability
Regular practice of kukkutasana is great for digestive health and assists in the prevention of issues related to digestion like constipation. Since the asana exerts pressure on the intestine organs and the stomach, production of enzymes and digestive juices are enhanced. As a result, food being consumed is digested easily leading to good health.
3. Helps to Get Rid of Belly Fat
Are you tired of trying out different ways to reduce your belly fat with little to no outcome? Then, kukkutasana is what you should try on a daily basis. The asana puts a considerable amount of pressure on your abdominal muscles. This way, your abdominal muscles get toned up and the excess fat is reduced from the area. Try it out for a month or two and witness the change yourself.
4. Tones Your Bicep and Triceps Muscles
One of the useful benefits of cockerel pose is that you can tone your bicep and triceps muscles with its regular practice. In the asana, your entire body weight is on your arms which not only increases blood circulation but keeps them toned. With the increased blood flow, the muscles get the required nutrition that results in their growth.
5. Enhances Your Cardiovascular Health
You can be the owner of a healthy heart if you continue with your practice of the cockerel pose. Several studies have proven that kukkutasana prevents the risk of heart stroke, heart attack, high cholesterol, etc. The asana opens up the chest and promotes blood flow which keeps the heart healthy. Also smooth flow of blood ensures that arteries remain free from cholesterol buildup.
Apart from the above mentioned five benefits, kukkutasana also improves the functioning of the kidney and the liver. Regular practice of the asana keeps the sexual organs stimulated thus, aiding in enhanced sexual performance.
The myriad benefits associated with kukkutasana (cockerel pose) certainly makes it one of the best asanas to include in your daily asana regimen. Also, it will make you calmer, happier and stronger mentally. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your mat and start practicing, Happy Yoga!!!
