Ashwini Mudra is a yogic practice that involves contracting the anal sphincter to stimulate the flow of prana (life energy) up the spine. While the literal translation of Ashwini is “horse” and Mudra is “gesture”, the true meaning of Mudra goes beyond a mere physical gesture and involves the recycling of energy. Essentially, Ashwini Mudra can be understood as a “Horse Gesture” for the purposes of easy comprehension.
Features of a Horse
They say the horse is a unique animal. Take a moment to discover some fascinating facts about horses that you may find surprising.
Horses don’t vomit
Horses can never vomit because their digestive system is a one-way street. Their digestive system is a one-directional system and opposes gravity and their rectum does not face downwards towards sobriety. Therefore, the horse never faces anal leakage issues. Not bad, huh?
Horses support Veganism!
Many individuals have recently observed an increase in the number of vegan bodybuilders. Many of us might have wondered how we gained well-built muscles by just eating a diet comprising just plant-based products. But nature had introduced a well-built, strong creature that ate only plants and vegetables long ago. The horse is one of the best examples of it. As herbivores that primarily consume grass, they possess inherent strength and robustness. Horses are so strong that any animal (or human!) that messes with it would receive a painful back kick.
Faster than Usain Bolt
Ever heard of the word “Horsepower”? It is a technical word used in the automobile industry where speed is a concern. For ages, the horse is one of the fastest animals known to mankind. Within a matter of seconds, horses are capable of reaching incredible speeds. This innate ability has proven advantageous in enabling them to escape from predators and other perilous situations. Horses are animals that cannot be hunted down easily because of their speed.
The All-Seeing Eye
Not only is the horse’s visibility commendable, but the eye itself is something worthy of appreciation. A horse has large eyes and clear eyesight. Out of a 360° angle, the horse has a viewing angle of 350° and has a wide range of vision. A horse has a long vision and can zoom in on a scene in front of it.
Horses are ever-vigilant
A horse has keen instincts. They can react without thinking. This characteristic is because of their internal instinct The horse has evolved to possess this capacity in order to protect itself from predators and other potential hazards. They react instinctively and try to get away from their predator as soon as possible. The Horses have much higher sensitivity, awareness about their surrounding, mindfulness, and consciousness about the entire body compared to other animals as well as human beings. For example, We often only become aware of a mosquito’s presence after it has already bitten us. But a horse realizes that a mosquito when is approaching it. That is how alert a horse is.
They are a lucky charm!
The horses symbolize freedom without restraint. The horse represents travel, movement, and desire. It also symbolizes power in certain communities. In numerous cultures worldwide, the horse is regarded as an auspicious animal. It has brought victory to many Kings and won Kingdoms with its fast mobility.
They are expensive!
Horses are priced high and maintaining a horse is expensive too. Maintaining a horse is a costly endeavor, with expenses for specialized veterinary care, feed, and paperwork exceeding that of most other animals. Performance horses that participate in racing, for instance, come with a particularly high maintenance cost.
Horses eat a lot to sustain their fast metabolism.
Horses sleep while they stand
Yes, you heard that right. The horse sleeps while it’s standing. But it does not mean it never sleeps lying down. When a horse desires a brief rest, it will lie down. Throughout a 24-hour period, an adult horse will sleep for short periods every 3 hours. While sleeping, a horse distributes its weight by standing on both forelegs and one hind leg.
Ashwini Mudra
Ashwini Mudra is a Yogic Science technique that involves recycling energy within the body. It is employed to guide energy from the lower region toward the upper body. This mudra is particularly useful in preparing for Mulabandha practice.
Mulabandha can be translated to “Root Lock”. Mulabandha is between the sphincter and pelvic muscles. Stimulating the Mulabandha during breathing exercises keeps the prana flowing up through the body and prevents the energy from flowing out.
Ashwini Mudra has been practiced for many ages. Historically, Ashwini Mudra was predominantly practiced by men as a preparatory step for Mulabandha in spiritual practice. Over time, as knowledge about yoga has become more widespread, women have also begun to practice this technique for its various benefits. For beginners, practicing this mudra is highly recommended, as it enables them to utilize the newly flowing energy for their personal betterment.
How to do Ashwini Mudra?
The steps provided below are called Ashwini Mudra Procedure. The step-by-step guide can help you in performing the mudra with ease.
- Find a comfortable posture or meditative pose.
- Relax your body and breathe normally
- Contract the anal sphincter or muscles surrounding the rectum, holding for a few seconds.
- Release the anal muscles and return to normal breathing
- Repeat this process until you feel comfortable.
It is recommended that anyone can practice this mudra until they reach the point known as Mula Naadi.
This mudra conserves the life force energy that moves down and escapes the body and turns it upwards, which becomes creative energy that helps for spiritual purposes.
Benefits of Ashwini Mudra
Helps Women during Delivery
The practice of Ashwini Mudra can aid women in avoiding childbirth-related complications by enhancing flexibility, lubricating internal organs, and enlarging the vagina, thus easing the process of childbirth. Practising Ashwini Mudra can help women avoid these complications because the mudra increases flexibility, lubricates the organs inside, and enlarges the vagina, making giving birth to the child easier.
Boosts Reproductive and Sexual Health
By practicing boosting reproductive health in both males and females. In recent times, many men find complications with reproductivity and face major issues like Erectile Dysfunction, Premature Ejaculation that affects their sexual health and also emotionally weaken them. Similar to men, women may experience issues with their reproductive system during menstruation, such as cramps, irregular periods, stomach pain, and migraines. Regular practice of Ashwini Mudra can enhance reproductive and sexual health and alleviate the symptoms of these conditions
Prevents Sexual Suppression
In ancient times, people aimed to avoid sexual suppression. During the practice of Ashwini Mudra, the vital life force energy ascends upward through the spinal cord towards the brain. As the prana moves upwards, it transforms from sexual energy to creative energy, which is beneficial for both material and spiritual growth beneficial to the Pelvic region.
While practicing this mudra, blood circulation is increased in the pelvic region. This reduces pelvic stiffness, increases flexibility in the surrounding muscles, and reduces back pain. It also helps the pituitary gland to secrete good hormones for better health.
Prevents Anal Problems
Ashwini Mudra primarily targets the muscles surrounding the rectum, and with regular practice, it helps in strengthening these muscles. This helps in avoiding complications such as Piles, Haemorrhoids, Fistula, and other anus-related problems. Many people who practice this mudra regularly do not get affected by Constipation problems too. Ashwini Mudra is often recommended for preventing anal complications such as piles. Additionally, the regular practice of Ashwini Mudra is believed to help slow down the aging process. Slows down Ageing
Since Ashwini Mudra directs the Prana (Life Force Energy) upwards, it results in the slowing down of aging because it receives the Prana from the bottom and all other body parts get rejuvenated from this energy. It helps us to tackle aging-related problems like wrinkles, white hair, baldness, joint pain, and so on.
Awakens Positive Energy
While practicing this mudra, positive energy is released. It helps the practitioner to feel more peace and bliss, more compassion and kindness, and an increase in spiritual connections.
Who should not practice Ashwini Mudra?
There are certain health conditions that may prevent some individuals from practicing Ashwini Mudra. People already facing health issues like Piles (Hemorrhoids), Fistula, and other anal-related issues can avoid practicing this mudra to avoid further complications.