Yoga's Impact on Sexual Performance: Enhancing Intimacy and Pleasure
Sex and yoga, a surprising combo? Let's dive in and see if the internet hype is true.
In the realm of wellness, yoga is often touted as a panacea, and one of the less-discussed claims is its impact on our sexual lives.
From addressing conditions like depression, stress, anxiety, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid problems to lowering inflammation and boosting brain health, the benefits of yoga are substantial. But can it indeed elevate our bedroom game?
Better Bedroom Bullseye: Yoga for Women
A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine lends credence to this claim, especially for women aged 45 and older. The study involved 40 ladies who self-reported on their sexual function before and after a 12-week yoga regimen.
After three months, the results were quite impressive. The women's sexual function improved significantly across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. As many as 75 percent of the women reported an improvement in their sex life following yoga training.
The routine consisted of 22 poses or "yogasanas," including trikonasana, bhujangasana, and ardha matsyendra mudra. Interested in the full list? You can find it right here.
Fellas, Don't Feel Left Out
Not to fret, men. Yoga isn't a one-woman show. A study led by neurologist Dr. Vikas Dhikav from the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, examined the sexual satisfaction of men over a 12-week period.
The results? Participants reported significant improvements in their sexual function, as evaluated by the standard Male Sexual Quotient. The improvements spanned desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.
A comparative trial by the same team of researchers found that yoga could be a legitimate, non-pharmacological alternative to treating premature ejaculation.
The Science Behind Yoga and Better Sex
So, how does yoga boost our bedroom skills? A review of existing literature led by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, provides some insights.
The review explains that yoga helps regulate attention and breathing, reduces anxiety and stress, and manage blood pressure—all key factors contributing to sexual health. Yoga also encourages body awareness and assertiveness, leading to increased sexual desire.
One yoga concept that deserves our attention is Moola Bandha. This practice involves perineal contractions that induce parasympathetic activity in the pelvic region, benefiting our sexual health and organs.
For ladies grappling with pain during intercourse or vaginismus, yoga poses like Bhekasana, or the Frog Pose, may provide relief.
The Evidence: Solid or Shaky?
While the evidence backing yoga's sexual benefits may not be overwhelming, it's encouraging to see some progress. More research is needed, particularly with larger sample sizes and control groups.
However, recent studies focusing on women with sexual dysfunction and metabolic syndrome have produced stronger evidence for yoga's positive impact on arousal and lubrication.
In a world where the hype surrounding yogasms might leave us a bit dubious, it's worth noting that incorporating yoga into our daily lives could still have significant benefits for both our sexual health and overall wellbeing.
So why not give it a go? Your pelvic muscles just might thank you for it.
- The impact of yoga on sexual lives is a lesser-discussed claim, but one that is supported by studies, particularly for women aged 45 and older.
- A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that a 12-week yoga regimen improved the sexual function of women across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index.
- Men can also reap the benefits of yoga in their bedroom lives, with studies showing significant improvements in sexual function when participants followed a 12-week yoga routine.
- The science behind yoga's positive impact on sexual health lies in its ability to regulate attention and breathing, reduce anxiety and stress, and manage blood pressure.
- Bhekasana, or the Frog Pose, might provide relief for women experiencing pain during intercourse or vaginismus.
- While the evidence backing yoga's sexual benefits may not be overwhelming, it's encouraging to see the positive impact it has had on women with sexual dysfunction and metabolic syndrome, making it worth incorporating yoga into one's daily routine for both sexual health and overall wellbeing.
