Enhanced Sexual Performance Through Regular Yoga Practice
From the Mat to the Bedroom: Does Yoga Enhance Sex Lives?
Who wouldn't be intrigued by tales of yoga unlocking hidden energy reserves and unleashing orgasmic bliss? But does the evidence back up these claims? Let's dive in and explore.
From its roots in ancient times, yoga has been associated with a multitude of health benefits, ranging from stress reduction to im-proving thyroid problems and battling diabetes. Now, modern research demonstrates that this practice also engages mechanisms that fortify the body and spark the imagination—especially in the bedroom.
Researchers investigating yoga's effects on sexual function have discovered some fascinating insights. Yoga reportedly helps lower the body's inflammatory response, modifies the genetic expression predisposing people to stress, reduces cortisol, and amplifies the production of proteins that safeguard the brain and make it young and healthy. Adding to that, well, it just feels damn good. In fact, some enthusiasts even claim a mythical "coregasm" during yoga, as positions lead to intense sensations of pleasure.
So, can yoga's enticing poses translate to a better sex life? Let's see what the research says.
Empowering Sexual Function in Women
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine sheds light on the post-yoga impacts on women's sexual function, particularly those over 45 years old. The study recruited 40 women and examined their sexual function after a 12-week yoga regimen. The results? A significant improvement in all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction. Almost 75 percent of the women reported an overall improvement in their sex lives.
The 12-week program incorporated 22 poses, including the triangle pose, the snake, and the half spinal twist, which are believed to strengthen core muscles, aid digestion, fortify the pelvic floor, and elevate mood. Click here to review the list of asanas.
A Yoga-Infused Boost for Men
Ladies aren't the only ones reaping the benefits. An analogous study conducted by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, probed the impact of a 12-week yoga program on men's sexual satisfaction. The findings? A significant improvement in male sexual satisfaction, as assessed by the Male Sexual Quotient, across aspects such as desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, and orgasm.
The study additionally included a comparative trial that compared yoga with fluoxetine (Prozac) for treating premature ejaculation. The test comprised 15 poses, varying in complexity—from simple options like the Kapalbhati to more intricate ones like the bow pose.
Yoga's Sex-Enhancing Mechanisms
But how does yoga work its magic? A review of literature led by researchers at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, offers some enlightening insights.
Led by Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC, the review explains that yoga regulates attention and breathing, decreases anxiety, lowers stress, and modifies the nervous system that induces relaxation. In essence, all these effects are associated with improvements in sexual response.
Furthermore, psychological mechanisms come into play. Female yoga practitioners have a tendency to be less body-objectifying, more self-aware, and more sexually assertive, potentially fostering increased desire and sexual satisfaction.
The Power of moola bandha
While stories about awakening dormant energy and snaking kundalini energy up the spine might lack rigorous scientific evidence, other yogic concepts appear more grounded in reality. Moola bandha is one such concept.
Moola bandha is a contraction of the perineal muscles that activates the sensory-motor and autonomic nervous systems in the pelvic region. As a result, it instigates parasympathetic activity in the body, which triggers improvements in gonadal functions and the pelvic floor/cervix.
This concept bears similarities to contemporary pelvic floor exercises, which are recommended for preventing urinary incontinence and enhancing partners' sexual experiences. In fact, many sex therapy centers advocate for this yoga practice as a means of arousing heightened sensations in the genital area, ultimately boosting desire and sexual fulfillment.
The Evidence's Limits
While the tantalizing possibility of "yogasms" piques our curiosity, it's crucial to note that the amount of empirical evidence supporting yoga's benefits for sexual function is still limited. Rather, the Web is flooded with anecdotal testimonials, and well-designed studies with control groups remain scarce.
However, studies with larger sample sizes and stronger evidence patterns are cropping up. For instance, a randomized controlled trial focusing on women with metabolic syndrome found significant improvement in arousal and lubrication after a 12-week yoga program, indicating that yoga may serve as an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction in this high-risk population.
In conclusion, while the evidence supporting yoga's benefits for our sex lives is certainly promising, more research is needed to confirm the exact extent of these positive effects. Until more evidence emerges, we encourage you to explore the rejuvenating and pleasurable realms of yoga for yourself. Trying it out just might enhance your life in more ways than one, and your pelvic floor will undoubtedly thank you for it.
Yoga's benefits can extend to sexual health as well, with studies showing improvements in sexual function. For instance, a study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that a 12-week yoga regimen significantly improved sexual satisfaction among women aged 45 and over. Men also reported enhanced sexual satisfaction following a similar 12-week yoga program, as demonstrated by Dr. Vikas Dhikav's study.
The mechanisms through which yoga improves sexual health are rooted in its ability to regulate attention, breathing, reduce anxiety, and lower stress levels, all of which positively impact sexual response. Additionally, certain yoga poses, like Moola bandha, can stimulate the sensory-motor and autonomic nervous systems, potentially boosting gonadal functions and pelvic floor health.
Though more research is needed to fully understand the extent of yoga's benefits for sexual health, current studies suggest that it can be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction, particularly in high-risk populations such as those with metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, exploring yoga for its sexual health benefits might rejuvenate your life in more ways than one, with potential positive effects on both physical and mental well-being.
