Improved Sexual Performance through Yoga: Unleashing Inner Potential
Yoga: The Secret to a Satisfying Love Life? Let's Investigate.
So, you've heard the rumors that yoga might just be the secret to a mind-blowing bedroom romp. But is there any truth to these tantalizing tales? Let's delve into it.
Yoga is rapidly gaining popularity for its multitude of health benefits, from reducing depression and stress levels to helping combat metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid issues. As a bonus, it feels freaking awesome! Some even claim experiencing the mythical 'coregasm' during yoga - now, that sounds intriguing.
But what about its impact on more private aspects of our lives? Can yoga live up to the hype of boosting our sex lives? Let's take a look.
Yoga's Love-Life Impact on Ladies
One research study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine sparked our curiosity. This study discovered that yoga could indeed improve sexual function, particularly in women aged 45 and above. The research examined the effects of 12 weeks of yoga on 40 women, who reported improvements across desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. A whopping 75% of these women reported an improvement in their sexual life post yoga training.
Some of the yoga poses studied included trikonasana, bhujangasana, and ardha matsyendra mudra (triangle pose, snake pose, and half spinal twist, respectively) - find the full list of yogasanas here.
Yoga: A Pleasure-Pump for the Fellas
Not to be left out, the male half of the population can also reap the benefits of yoga. An analogous study headed by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, found that a 12-week yoga program significantly improved male sexual satisfaction. Researchers reported improvements across desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
The same team of researchers even discovered that yoga is an effective and non-pharmaceutical alternative to fluoxetine (Prozac) for treating premature ejaculation in comparative trials.
Yoga's Secret Powers
Curious as to how yoga knocks our socks off in the bedroom? A literature review led by researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of British Columbia helps break it down. Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor at the department, explains that yoga has the power to regulate attention and breathing, lower anxiety and stress levels, and stimulate the portion of the nervous system that relaxes the body. Improvements in sexual response are closely linked with all these effects.
Additionally, some women practicing yoga are less likely to objectify their bodies and more aware of their physical selves. This heightened awareness can lead to increased sexual responsibility, assertiveness, and even (dare we say it?) desire.
The Enigmatic Moola Bandha
Stories of blocked energy in root chakras and moving 'kundalini energy' may lack scientific rigor, but other yogic concepts are more manageable for skeptics. Moola Bandha is one such concept. According to researchers, moola bandha creates contraction in the perineal muscles, which directly stimulates the gonads and pelvic muscles, enforcing relaxation and circulation in the body.
Research suggests practicing moola bandha may help relieve period pain, alleviate childbirth pain, and treat sexual difficulties in women. It's also been noted to treat premature ejaculation and regulate testosterone secretion in men.
The Lay of the Land: Scientific Evidence
Though tantalizing, it's crucial to consider the vast difference between the copious anecdotal evidences found on the internet and actual, scientific studies supporting yoga's effects on sexual function. While studies show excitement for the potential sexual benefits of yoga, more robust research is needed to substantiate these claims.
Stay tuned for future research, as we attempt to unlock whether "yogasms" are a real, achievable thing. But in the meantime, it seems there's plenty to gain - and our pelvic muscles won't complain - by giving yoga a try.
- Yoga, through its proven benefits on mental health and stress reduction, may indirectly contribute to improved sexual health by fostering a more relaxed and stress-free environment conducive to intimacy.
- The Journal of Sexual Medicine published a study suggesting that yoga practice can enhance sexual function in women aged 45 and above, with improvements reported in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
- A 12-week yoga program was found to significantly improve male sexual satisfaction by Dr. Vikas Dhikav and his team, with improvements in desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
- Moola Bandha, a yogic concept involving the contraction of perineal muscles, stimulates the gonads and pelvic muscles, possibly helping relieve period pain, alleviate childbirth pain, and treat sexual difficulties in women, as well as regulate testosterone secretion in men and treat premature ejaculation.
