Improved Sexual Performance Through Yoga: Unveiling Its Advantages
The web is flooded with wellness blogs touting yoga as a natural remedy for enhancing sexual experiences. But is there any science to back these claims up? Let's dive in.
Yoga, an ancient practice, has been found to be beneficial for numerous health issues such as depression, stress, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid problems. Recent studies have also shed light on the intricate mechanisms behind its health benefits.
For instance, yoga lowers the body's inflammatory response, improves mood, and boosts a protein that keeps the brain healthy and youthful. Moreover, let's not forget the feels-good factor – and yes, the yogic version of orgasms, or coregasms, are a rumor worth exploring!
Now, let's investigate to what extent yoga influences our bedroom antics.
Yoga and Women's Sexual Health
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine examined the impact of 12 weeks of yoga on 40 women, reporting improved sexual function across all aspects monitored via the Female Sexual Function Index. Makes sense – 75% of the women involved noted an improvement in their sex lives after their yoga training.
The yoga routine focused on 22 poses, including trikonasana (triangle pose), bhujangasana (snake pose), and ardha matsyendra mudra (half spinal twist). For the full list of yogasanas backing your bedroom revamp, click here.
Yoga for Men's Sexual Health
It's not just a woman's game. A 12-week yoga program led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, improved sexual satisfaction for men.
At the end of the study, the male participants reported better performance, confidence, and satisfaction, among other aspects evaluated through the standard Male Sexual Quotient. As a cherry on top, a comparative trial revealed that yoga is a viable alternative to fluoxetine for treating premature ejaculation.
Mechanisms Behind Yoga's Magic
So, what's the secret sauce behind yoga's sexual enhancement? A review led by researchers at the University of British Columbia helps us understand some of its sexual health-boosting mechanisms.
Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor at the University of British Columbia, and her colleagues explain that yoga regulates breathing, reduces anxiety and stress, and stimulates the nervous system to induce relaxation. All these effects contribute to improved sexual response.
Additionally, women who practice yoga are less likely to objectify their bodies and are more aware of their physical selves, promoting increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness.
Moola Bandha: The X-Factor for Better Sex
From the authenticity of blocking energy in root chakras to the production of ejaculation-free orgasms, there are some unproven yogic concepts. However, Moola Bandha has more backing.
Moola Bandha, a perineal contraction, stimulates the sensory-motor and autonomic nervous system, promoting relaxation in the pelvic region. Practicing it might alleviate period pain, childbirth pain, and sexual difficulties, as well as premature ejaculation in men and testosterone secretion.
Moola Bandha is similar to modern exercises that prevent urinary incontinence and help individuals savor their intimate moments longer. Many sex therapy centers even recommend this yoga practice to hone women's sensations of genital arousal and, thus, improve desire and sexual experience.
How Reliable is the Evidence?
While the potential sexual benefits of yoga are exciting, it's crucial to consider the discrepancy between the amount of experimental, or empirical, evidence and the abundance of anecdotal, or non-empirical, evidence available online.
Moreover, the studies mentioned above, which found improvements in sexual satisfaction and function for both men and women, have relatively small sample sizes and lack control groups.
Further research is necessary to build stronger evidence, and until then, we can only say that the groundwork for yoga's benefits for our sexual wellbeing has been laid, albeit barely. So, until we know for sure if yogasms are real, it wouldn't hurt to give yoga a try. After all, our pelvic muscles will certainly appreciate the effort!
- Evidence from studies like the one published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine suggests that yoga, with poses such as trikonasana, bhujangasana, and ardha matsyendra mudra, can improve sexual function in women.
- Yoga's benefits for men's sexual health are also notable, with studies showing that a 12-week yoga program can enhance sexual satisfaction and performance for males.
- The scientific Mechanisms behind yoga's sexual health benefits include regulating breathing, reducing stress and anxiety, and stimulating the nervous system, which contribute to improved sexual response. Practices like Moola Bandha, a perineal contraction, also offer potential benefits for sexual wellness.
