Benefits of Ashwini Mudra and How to Do it By Dr. Ankit Sankhe
By Dr. Ankit Sankhe +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ankit Sankhe
Last updated: Feb 8, 2024Click to rate this article!
[Total: 16 Avg: 3.9]
Get insightful and
helpful tips to treat
your symptoms for FREE
Register to Avail the Offer
Send OTPBy continuing, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
By Dr. Ankit Sankhe +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ankit Sankhe
Last updated: Feb 8, 2024Table of Contents
Yoga and naturopathy have found a whole new meaning in the modern world, redefined as per the need of present times. In India, they are combined as a separate system of medicine. For further development of yoga, Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy was constituted by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Naturopathy physicians often prescribe yoga therapy to manage various ailments as additional care without interfering with the mainstream medicinal treatment protocol.1
Ashwini Mudra, or the horse gesture, is a simple and effective practice with many physical, psychological and spiritual benefits.2 Read further to know about its benefits.
Ashwini Mudra is like the Kegel exercise, in which muscles around the vagina are held and released repeatedly. On regular practice, Ashwini mudra may help tone muscles in the perineal area and pelvic floor (areas between the thighs containing the urinary region, genitals, rectum, bottom, and vagina or penis). It might also improve the blood flow to this region and further also may help to maintain tissues of the vaginal and urethral (the tube through which urine leaves the body) region.1,3
Ashwini mudra or anal lock also helps in the relaxation and contraction related to the gluteal muscles (fleshy muscles of the buttocks), perineum (the area between the thighs), as well as the area between the thighs that contains the urinary region, genitals, rectum, bottom, and vagina or penis.1
To perform ashwini mudra you must sit in any relaxed, comfortable position and take a deep breath. Practise this mudra with following steps1:
Improved digestion is believed to be one of Ashwini Mudra’s main benefits. The posture may help to relieve constipation and gas issues. It enhances the amount of prana that enters the internal organs, strengthening and potentially increasing their resistance to sickness. From my perspective, it’s possible that frequent Ashwini Mudra practice may enhance the way your bowel movements feel.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Here are some exciting and trivia facts about ashwini mudra which make for an enjoyable read, such as:
Ashwini mudra is a beneficial pose for several conditions; some of ashwini mudra benefits are as follows:
Ashwini mudra might help energise the nervous system and may help tone the pelvic region (between the abdomen and the legs) with regular practice. It can be helpful before conceiving, throughout the pregnancy and post-delivery. It might be a beneficial practice for other post-partum problems like haemorrhoids, issues related to gonads, rectum and perineum (pubic area between the thighs).2
Arthur Kegel (1948), described that relaxing and tensing the pelvic floor muscle (muscles in area between the thighs that contains the urinary region, genitals, rectum, bottom, and vagina), may be beneficial for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), a condition in which urine leaks during the moments of physical activity that elevates pressure in the abdominal region such as sneezing, laughing, coughing and exercise).4
Largo Janeseen et al. (1991), Brown C (1998) and Datillo et al. (2001), in their studies, also demonstrated that under proper clinical supervision, pelvic floor muscular rehabilitation may be beneficial for women suffering with SUI. Ashwini mudra is described in ancient Indian text as an exercise that may cause pelvic floor muscle contraction thus, it may help improve SUI in women.4
Menopause may cause reduced estrogen (hormone associated with the female reproductive organs) levels affecting the vaginal tissue and urethra. With the start of menopause, the linings in the vagina and urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body) tend to get thinner, drier and less flexible. Since blood supply reduces in that area, some women also suffer urinary problems during menopause. To respond to these difficulties, yoga teachers recommend ashwini mudra. This mudra can help tone the perineal area and pelvic floor (area between the thighs that contains the urinary region, genitals, rectum, bottom, and vagina) and increases blood flow to the pelvic region (between the abdomen and the legs).Therefore, it may ease menopausal symptoms and maintain healthy vaginal and urethral tissue (tissues of the tube through which urine leaves the body).3
Nagammanavar and Natekar, in their study in 2020, observed that since ashwini mudra was able to revitalise the entire psycho-neuro endocrine system (a complex network of glands and organs responsible for the release of hormones, central and peripheral nervous systems), it may be helpful for adolescents suffering from mental disorders.5 Ashwini mudra can be recommended for its benefits for its harmonising and calming effect on the body’s physiological functions.7 Thus, it might be possible to have similar effects for adults, however there is insufficient data that can support this effect of ashwini mudra on adults.
There is continuous research ongoing in this area. The benefits of ashwini mudra mentioned above are still under observation and need further validation with proper scientific evidence.
Yoga practice may help develop the mind and body; however, it is still not an alternative to modern medicine. You must not rely on yoga alone to treat any condition. Please consult a qualified doctor who will be able to assess your situation correctly and advise accordingly. Moreover, it is necessary to practice and learn yoga under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher to avoid any injuries.
Perhaps surprisingly, Ashwini Mudra may assist people in achieving healthy and clean skin. In my experience, getting the needed help for significant stomach-related diseases indirectly leads to better skin. It may also promote a healthy endocrine and hormonal system, which keeps your skin looking young and bright.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
It is essential to perform ashwini mudra properly as guided by your trainer or instructor. There are a few other things to be prevented while performing this gesture to avoid related risks:
With the guidance of a qualified and experienced yoga teacher/yoga expert, we can access and analyse the risk factors and continue to practice exercise with precautions.
Ashwini mudra or horse pose is just like Kegel exercise; thus, it may be beneficial to maintain healthy vaginal and urethral tissues. It can be helpful for postpartum recovery and menopausal problems. It might also affect Stress Urinary Incontinence and support adolescent mental health. Therefore, if performed correctly under the guidance of a yoga expert, ashwini mudra may be a blessing for humankind.
Also Read: What Causes Queefing: Unraveling Myths and Understanding the Facts
Ashwin mudra is called horse pose, horse gesture yoga or anal lock. 1,2,4
Among all mudras, ashwini mudra, in which we contract and relax muscles around the vagina and urethra, is considered the most beneficial for piles.6
Ashwini mudra can be beneficial for women for various conditions such as pregnancy and postpartum recovery, problems related to menopause and Stress Urinary Incontinence when performed under the guidance of a yoga expert.2-4 However, such benefits need further studies and evidence to be confirmed.
No, ashwini mudra and moola bandha mudra are different. In ashwini mudra, we contract and relax muscles around the vagina and urethra. In moola bandha mudra, the strain is laid on the rectal muscles such that the muscles around the anus are tightened. The mudras are very different because they target different muscle groups. 2
For any yoga asanas and mudras to achieve their maximum benefits, you must perform them properly as guided by your trainer. While performing ashwini mudra, you should not combine it with any forward pose. People with blood pressure problems should not perform this mudra.3,7
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Leave your comment...
Comments