Enhancing Sexual Performance through Yoga: Insights and Advantages
Welcome to the lowdown on yoga's erotic benefits! Yoga is all the rage these days for good reason. Research shows it tackles a plethora of health issues, from stress and depression to metabolic disorders and thyroid problems. But what about boosting your sex life? We dive in.
The ancient practice of yoga is gaining traction in the modern medical world for its numerous health benefits – with some controversy around sexual benefits. Let's explore.
Yoga has been found to:
- Lower the body's inflammatory response
- Counter the genetic expression that predisposes folks to stress
- Reduce cortisol levels
- Boost brain-growing proteins
But does it make your bedroom escapades more adventurous? We take a look.
Yes, yoga does improve sexual function – especially for women over 45.
One influential study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women who practiced 12 weeks of yoga reported significant improvements in their sexual function. The improvements were apparent across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
The participating women were trained on 22 poses believed to improve core abdominal muscles, improve digestion, strengthen the pelvic floor, and enhance mood.
And men too can reap the benefits.
A separate study found that a 12-week yoga program led to significant improvements in male sexual satisfaction as evaluated by the Male Sexual Quotient. Improvements were observed across desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
How does yoga work its magic?
Research led by scientists at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, elucidates some of yoga's mechanisms for improving sexual health. Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC, is the first author of the review.
Dr. Brotto and colleagues explain that yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and activates the nervous system to induce relaxation – all factors associated with improved sexual function.
There are also psychological mechanisms at play. "Female practitioners of yoga have been found to be less likely to objectify their bodies" explains Dr. Brotto – a finding that may be linked to increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness, as well as sexual desires.
The power of the moola bandha.
Attention skeptics – here's something for you. Moola bandha is a perineal contraction believed to directly innervate the reproductive organs and improve sexual health. Its effects have been linked to relieving period pain, childbirth pain, and improving sexual function in women, while also controlling testosterone secretion in men.
So, what's the deal with the evidence?
While the idea of "yogasms" may sound like pure fantasy, existing evidence supports the notion that yoga can improve sexual health. Be wary of excessive anecdotal evidence flooding the internet, and be on the lookout for more scientific studies to back up these claims. Nonetheless, the evidence so far is profoundly promising.
Let's get our OM on – our pelvic muscles will be ever so grateful!
Yoga's sexual benefits extend to both men and women, as demonstrated by studies showing improved sexual function for women over 45 and significant improvements in male sexual satisfaction. The ancient practice regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and activates the nervous system to induce relaxation, all factors associated with improved sexual function. A specific yoga technique, Moola bandha, is believed to directly innervate reproductive organs and improve sexual health, with potential benefits for women's menstrual and reproductive health and testosterone secretion in men. While anecdotal evidence abounds, more scientific studies are needed to strengthen these claims, but the existing evidence supports the notion that yoga can improve sexual health.
