Improved Sexual Function through Yoga Practices: Exploring the Advantages
Yo, here's the skinny on yoga and that sexy time we all love. Now, the interwebs are full of wellness blogs touting yoga as the key to a better orgasm, and there are plenty of folks out there who swear by it. But does the science back up these claims? Let's take a gander.
Research is just starting to dig into the various health benefits of an ancient practice – yoga. It's been scientifically proven to help deal with depression, stress, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid problems, among other things.
But how about our love lives? Can some freaky poses really improve our bedroom escapades? Let's check it out.
Yoga Gives Women Increased Sexual Function
One study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that yoga can boost sexual function in adults, particularly women over 45. The study looked at the effects of 12 weeks of yoga on 40 women. They found a significant improvement in sexual function across the board: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. A whopping 75% of the women surveyed reported an improvement in their sex life after yoga training.
The women were taught 22 poses, or yogasanas, believed to improve core abdominal muscles, improve digestion, strengthen the pelvic floor, and boost mood. Some of the poses included in the study were trikonasana (a.k.a the triangle pose), bhujangasana (the snake), and ardha matsyendra mudra (half spinal twist).
Yoga Helps Men Get It Up
Guys shouldn't feel left out – yoga can help you get your groove on too! A study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, looked at the impact of a 12-week yoga program on the sexual satisfaction of men. The results found improvements in every aspect of male sexual satisfaction: desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
The researchers also conducted a comparative trial, finding that yoga is a viable and nonpharmacological alternative to fluoxetine (also known as Prozac) for treating premature ejaculation.
Mind Over Matter
So, how does yoga work its magic? A 2021 review led by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has provided some insights into how yoga can improve sexual function. The study found that yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and stimulates the nervous system to induce relaxation.
The study's authors argue that all of these effects are associated with improvements in sexual response, making it reasonable that yoga could also have a positive impact on sexual health.
The Coregasm Connection
The concept of a "coregasm" – a vaginal orgasm during yoga – is a popular one, but it's not backed by rigorous scientific evidence. However, other yogic concepts may make skeptics sit up and take notice. One such concept is moola bandha, a perineal contraction believed to stimulate the pelvic region and indirectly improve sexual function.
The Power of the Moola Bandha
Moola bandha is controversial, but it's been associated with improved sexual function in some studies. The practice involves contracting and releasing the muscles around your rectum, which can increase blood flow to the pelvic region. It's worth noting that many sex therapy centers recommend moola bandha to help women become more aware of their sensations of arousal in the genital area, leading to improved desire and sexual experience.
Conclusion
There's definitely some evidence to suggest that yoga can enhance sexual function for both men and women. The practice of yoga has been shown to help improve pelvic floor strength, reduce stress, and promote mindfulness, all of which can contribute to improved sexual experiences. However, more targeted research is needed to understand the specific impact of yoga on sexual health. Overall, it's worth giving yoga a shot – your pelvic muscles will thank you for it!
- A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that yoga can boost sexual function in adults, particularly women over 40, improving factors such as desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.
- In another study, a 12-week yoga program was found to improve every aspect of male sexual satisfaction: desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
- Research suggests that yoga improves sexual function by regulating attention and breathing, lowering anxiety and stress, and stimulating the nervous system to induce relaxation, all of which are associated with improvements in sexual response.
- While the concept of a "coregasm" (vaginal orgasm during yoga) is popular, it lacks rigorous scientific evidence. However, the practice of moola bandha (perineal contraction) may have a positive impact on sexual function, as it can increase blood flow to the pelvic region and improve awareness of genital sensations.
