Enhanced Sexual Function through Yoga Practice
Digging into the vast digital realm of wellness blogs and personal testimonies, one topic that frequently pops up is the assertion that yoga significantly enhances sexual encounters. But does science back this up, or is it just another crazy claim? Let's cut to the chase and find out.
Modern-day research is just starting to scratch the surface of the myriad benefits of the age-old practice of yoga. From combating depression and stress, to regulating metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid problems - screw the ‘normies’, yoga's got it all!
Better yet, it feels damn good too! Some say it goes beyond mere relaxation, promising a euphoric state known as 'coregasm' during specific yoga sessions. We're talking mind-blowing orgasms here folks, but does it really deliver on the bedroom front? Let's dive deeper and spill the tea on the science behind yoga and sexual function.
Yoga: The Ultimate Aphrodisiac for Women Over 45
One study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine shed some light on yoga's impact on sexual function, particularly for women over the age of 45. Researchers examined the effects of 12 weeks of yoga on a group of 40 women who submitted self-evaluations of their sexual function both before and after sessions.
After 12 weeks, these ladies reported that their sexual function had dramatically improved across the board, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. In fact, an impressive 75 percent of the study participants confessed that their sex lives had significantly improved due to yoga training.
The women were taught a variety of poses, or yogasanas, believed to strengthen the pelvic floor, improve digestion, boost mood, and fortify core abdominal muscles. Notable examples include the triangle pose (tritanasana), the snake (bhujangasana), and the half spinal twist (ardha matsyendra mudra). Check out this link for the full list of asanas you should try.
Yoga: The Bedroom Game-Changer for the Boys
Guys, don'tFEEL left out! Another study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, found that a 12-week yoga program could substantially boost male sexual satisfaction. The participants in this study reported improvements in their sexual function based on the standard Male Sexual Quotient. The researchers discovered improvements across all aspects of male sexual satisfaction, including "desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm."
A study by the same research team even revealed that yoga was an effective, non-pharmaceutical treatment for premature ejaculation, offering an appealing alternative to medications like Prozac. This research combined 15 yoga poses, ranging from the relatively easy Kapalbhati to the more complex dhanurasana, or the "bow pose."
The Underlying Mechanisms: How Yoga Revs Up Your Sex Drive
Ever wondered how the magic happens? Well, researchers at the University of British Columbia aimed to find some answers. Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, led a review of existing literature to determine the mechanisms behind yoga's effects on sexual health.
They explain that yoga helps to regulate attention and breathing, decreases anxiety and stress, and activates the section of the nervous system that signals the body to relax, among other things. Not surprisingly, all these effects have been associated with improvements in sexual response.
Some female yoga practitioners have also reported being less likely to objectify their bodies, a trait that might be associated with increased sexual responsibility, assertiveness, and even desire.
Moola bandha, a yogic concept involving a perineal contraction, is another intriguing area of research due to its potential impact on sexual health. Moola bandha directly affects the gonads and perineal body/cervix, relieving pain and improving sexual function in women and helping men to control testosterone secretion.
The Truth about Yoga and Sexual Enlightenment
Don't go seeking spiritual enlightenment just yet! Stories of releasing 'blocked energy' in root chakras and achieving 'sex magick' are generally lacking in rigorous scientific evidence. However, other yogic concepts make more sense to the skeptics among us.
For instance, moola bandha could stimulate the autonomic nervous system in the pelvic region, enforcing parasympathetic activity and promoting relaxation, leading to potential improvements in sexual function. Many sex therapy centers recommend moola bandha as a way to help women become more aware of their genital arousal, thereby improving desire and sexual experiences.
The Looming Question: How Reliable is the Evidence?
It's easy to get carried away by the buzz surrounding yoga and its sexual benefits. However, the actual research base remains relatively slim compared to the vast amount of anecdotal evidence floating around the internet. Most studies examining the effects of yoga on sexual satisfaction have small sample sizes and lack a control group, which undermines their credibility.
However, more recent studies targeting women with sexual dysfunction alongside other health issues have produced stronger evidence. For example, a randomized controlled trial found that a 12-week yoga program led to "significant improvement" in arousal and lubrication in women with metabolic syndrome, a population at higher risk for sexual issues.
And who could forget the study on women living with multiple sclerosis (MS), which found that their physical capabilities and sexual function had improved after three months of yoga training? The study concluded that "yoga techniques may improve physical abilities and sexual satisfaction function in women with MS."
So, while we anxiously await further scientific evidence to confirm or disprove the "yogasm" myth, one thing is for sure - combining yoga with a positive attitude and a willingness to embrace one's sexuality could result in some seriously steamy intimate moments. Get ready to roll out that yoga mat, folks - your pelvic muscles (and sex lives) will thank you for it!
- The scientific evidence for yoga's enhancement of sexual encounters is backed up by modern-day research, particularly studies like the one published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine that showed a significant improvement in sexual function for women over 45 who participated in 12 weeks of yoga.
- Not only does yoga impact sexual function positively, but studies also indicate that it can boost male sexual satisfaction, as shown in a 12-week program led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist in New Delhi, India, where participants reported improvements in their sexual function across various aspects.
- Researchers at the University of British Columbia explain the mechanisms behind yoga's effects on sexual health, citing that yoga helps to regulate attention and breathing, decreases anxiety and stress, and activates the section of the nervous system that signals the body to relax, all of which have been associated with improvements in sexual response.
