Improved Sexual Performance Through Yoga Practice: Discover the Advantages
Yo, check it out! The online wellness world claims yoga's sexy secret for a better sick night, with enthusiasts touting improved sexual experiences after incorporating the ancient practice – and YEAH, some of 'em are bragging about legendary "coregasm" orgasms! But does the research live up to the hype? Let's dive in.
Yoga, an old-school wellness technique, is being studied now for the amazing health wonders it provides. Conditions like depression, stress, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid problems are among those reportedly relieved by regular yoga practice.
Researchers are unraveling the intricate puzzle behind these benefits. They've found that yoga lowers your body's inflammation, counters stress-inducing genetic expressions, reduces cortisol levels, and boosts a brain-friendly protein. And yeah, let's not forget that it just feels damn good! Some even claim that it can lead to life-changing coregasms!
Connecting with your bod can feel restorative, nourishing, and downright pleasurable. So, can the yummy yoga poses give your sex life a boost? We're exploring the evidence.
Spicing up ladies' nights
Research from The Journal of Sexual Medicine reveals that yoga can indeed fire up the bedroom for the over-45 set. Over a 12-week period, 40 women self-reported their sexual function before and after yoga classes, and lo and behold, their sex lives improved significantly in terms of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. A whopping 75 percent of the women reported improvements afterward!
During the study, the women learned 22 poses, or yogasanas, that are said to enhance core strength, digestion, pelvic floor strength, and mood. Some examples? The triangle pose (trikonasana), the snake (bhujangasana), and the half spinal twist (ardha matsyendra mudra). Click here for the full list!
Turning up the heat for the gents
Men aren't left out of the fun! An identical study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, explored the impact of a 12-week yoga program on men's sexual satisfaction. After the study ended, participants affirmatively reported improvements in their sexual function, as evaluated by the standard Male Sexual Quotient. Loss of erection, weak ejaculation, and orgasm issues were tops on the list of improvements.
Researchers also found that yoga is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for premature ejaculation, when compared to the drug Prozac. It utilized 15 poses, ranging from simpler practices like Kapalbhati (a breathing exercise) to more complex ones like the "bow pose" (dhanurasana).
How does yoga slide on the spotlight?
Researchers from the University of British Columbia shed some light on how yoga dances its way to better sex. They mention that yoga regulates attention and breathing, reduces stress, and quiets the entirely nerve-wracking nervous system, helping bodies relax and unwind. These effects, the researchers reveal, "are associated with improvements in sexual response," implying that yoga may improve sexual health overall.
Psychological factors come into play as well. Female yogis are less likely to objectify their bodies, according to the research team, and more aware of their physical selves, characteristics related to increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness.
The power of that tight little band
As much as we'd love to believe tales about releasing blocked energy in root chakras and moving "kundalini energy" up and down one's spine, let's be real – those stories are based on folksy lore rather than sound science. But, there are concepts that hold a little more credibility. Case in point: moola bandha.
Moola bandha is a perineal contraction that stimulates the sensory and motor nerves in the pelvic region, enforcing relaxation. It's thought to impact the gonads and the perineal body/cervix directly. Research suggests that practicing moola bandha relieves period pain and childbirth pain in women, and treats premature ejaculation and testosterone control in men.
The moola bandha works in much the same way as the modern, medically recommended Kegel exercises, thought to prevent urinary incontinence and help both men and women enjoy sex for longer periods. In fact, many sex therapy centers recommend this yogic practice to help women become more comfortable exploring their sensations of arousal in their nether regions, thus boosting desire and enjoyment.
Another yoga pose that strengthens pelvic floor muscles is bhekasana, a.k.a. the "frog pose." It can help ease symptoms of vestibulodynia, aka pain in the vestibule of the vagina, as well as alleviate symptoms of vaginismus, involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles that can interfere with penetrative sex.
What's the deal with the scientific studies?
While it's tempting to get carried away by the possible sexual benefits of yoga, it's essential to remember that rigorous, experimental evidence supporting its usage is relatively scarce compared to anecdotal stories that make the rounds online.
However, more recent studies noted benefits in women with sexual dysfunction in addition to other health issues. A 12-week yoga program led to significant enhancement in arousal and lubrication for these women, while similar improvements were not observed in women who didn't practice yoga.
A randomized controlled trial with women living with MS found that 3 months of yoga training led to improved physical ability and sexual function for yoga participants, while the control group faced worsening symptoms.
In summary, while specific studies on yoga's impact on sexual function are limited, yoga's acknowledged benefits in reducing stress, improving circulation, and stabilizing hormones suggest it could have positive effects on sexual health for both men and women. However, more targeted and larger-scale research is needed for definitive conclusions.
In the meantime, give yoga a shot and see if it doesn't make your pelvic muscles go wild with appreciation! Fingers crossed, you might find yourself feeling so sexually charged that you'll make President Bill Clinton look like a virgin!
- The ancient practice of yoga, often associated with health and wellness, has been studied for its sexual health benefits, especially in the areas of women's and men's health.
- Research from The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that regular yoga practice improved sexual function in women over the age of 45, enhancing desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and reducing pain.
- Similarly, a study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav explored the impact of yoga on men's sexual satisfaction, with participants reporting improvements in their sexual function upon completion of the 12-week program.
- Researchers from the University of British Columbia suggest that the benefits of yoga for sexual health stem from its ability to regulate attention, breathing, reduce stress, and relax the nervous system.
- The moola bandha, a contraction exercise practiced in yoga, has been found to affect the pelvic region, impacting the gonads and the perineal body/cervix in women, and treating premature ejaculation and testosterone control in men.
- Gynaecology studies have shown that yoga poses like bhekasana (the frog pose) can help ease symptoms of vestibulodynia and vaginismus, conditions that interfere with penetrative sex.
- While more rigorous, experimental evidence supporting yoga's sexual benefits is limited, the recognized benefits of yoga in reducing stress, improving circulation, and stabilizing hormones suggest it could have positive effects on sexual health for both men and women.
