Enhancing Intimacy and Vitality: The Role of Yoga for Sexual Performance
Ditch those dull love lives and embrace the power of yoga! It's time to unleash your inner Zen and unleash your sex life.
Now, you might be skeptical about yoga being a game-changer in the bedroom, but let's dive into what the research says.
Modern research sheds light on yoga's numerous health perks, addressing issues such as stress, anxiety, and even physical ailments like diabetes and thyroid problems. But does it help with your bedroom escapades? Let's find out.
Yoga takes sexy to a whole new level for women
One study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine examined the effects of 12 weeks of yoga on 40 women over 45. After the yoga sessions, the women reported significant improvements in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and sexual pain. In fact, a whopping 75% of participants reported a boost in their sex lives!
Yoga trainings typically focus on 22 poses that improve core strength, digestion, pelvic floor, and mood. Poses such as trikonasana, bhujangasana, and ardha matsyendra mudra are all part of the mix. You can check out the full list of yogasanas here.
Men, it's your time to shine too
A study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist in New Delhi, India, probed the effects of a 12-week yoga program on male sexual satisfaction. At the end of the study, the participants saw improvements in desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
What's more, a comparative trial by the same team showed that yoga is a non-pharmacological alternative to Prozac for treating premature ejaculation. The study included 15 yoga poses, from the easier Kapalbhati to the more complex dhanurasana, or the "bow pose".
How does yoga make you a sex god(dess)?
Research sheds light on yoga's mechanisms that boost our sex lives. A review led by the University of British Columbia explains that yoga regulates attention, lowers anxiety, manages stress, and promotes relaxation. These effects are associated with improved sexual response.
There are also psychological factors at play. Women who practice yoga are less likely to objectify their bodies and more aware of their physical selves, leading to increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness.
The secret weapon: Moola Bandha
Fancy talk about releasing blocked energy and kundalini energy might sound obscure, but don't write it off just yet. Moola Bandha is a concept worth exploring. This pelvic floor exercise stimulates the nervous system, relieves pain, and even treats premature ejaculation and hormone imbalances.
Many sex therapy centers recommend Moola Bandha to help women become aware of their genital sensations, improving arousal and overall sexual pleasure. The practice strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, balances, and rejuvenates the pelvic area.
The video below demonstrates how to incorporate Moola Bandha into pelvic floor exercises.
The hard facts on evidence
While the prospects of yogasms may excite, it's essential to remember that the amount of experimental evidence out there is slimmer than a yoga warrior's waistline. However, the studies that do exist show promising results in improving sexual function and satisfaction for both men and women.
As the body of research grows, we can expect to uncover more ways that yoga can help us take control of our sex lives. Until then, let's get flexible and give it a shot – your pelvic muscles will thank you for it!
- Yoga has been found to significantly improve various aspects of sexual health in women, as reported in a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
- A 12-week yoga program led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav in India showed improvements in male sexual satisfaction, including desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, and orgasm.
- Yoga's mechanisms that contribute to improved sexual response include regulation of attention, lowering anxiety, and promoting relaxation, as explained in a review led by the University of British Columbia.
- Moola Bandha, a pelvic floor exercise common in yoga, is recommended by some sex therapy centers to help women become more aware of their genital sensations and improve arousal and sexual pleasure.
