Improved Sexual Function through Yoga Practice: Unveiling Its Perks
Turning over a new leaf in your sex life? Hop on the yoga mat and get flexible! A flood of wellness blogs tout the ancient practice of yoga as the secret to better lovin'. But is it more than just a bunch of hippie hype? Here's the lowdown.
The worldwide web is brimming with yogis swearing by the practice's ability to enhance their sexual experiences. From increased stamina to mind-blowing orgasms, it seems like yoga is no longer just some strange, bendy dance - it's a sexercise revolution! But can the research back up these claim-poles? Let's dive in and find out.
Women's sexual wellbeing
One study that caught everyone's attention appeared in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. This twelve-week yoga program transformed the lives of forty ladies over 45, who self-reported a significant upswing in their sexual function.
The study evaluated their efforts across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain, and more. A whopping 75 percent of the participants reported an improvement in their sex lives after just three months on the mat!
The routine included a series of yogasanas tailored to strengthen core abdominal muscles, improve digestion, fortify the pelvic floor, and boost mood. Try the triangle pose, snake, or half spinal twist and join the rank of zen-sex enthusiasts.
Men's man matters
What about the fellas? Fear not, gentlemen! Another study, led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav of the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, showcased that yoga exercises can also up your game. Participants reported remarkable improvements in their sexual satisfaction, as evaluated by the Male Sexual Quotient.
These improvements applied to all aspects of male sexual satisfaction: desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm. Go forth and conquer, yogis!
Unraveling the yogic web
But how in tadpole’s intelligence does yoga work its magic? A comprehensive review of existing literature, spearheaded by researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, bloodhounded some answers.
Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in the department, took the lead in this scholarly quest. Dr. Brotto and colleagues explain that yoga regulates attention, breathing patterns, and stress levels, and activates the "rest and relax" metabolic processes. Not surprising, as these effects correspond with improved sexual response.
There are also psychological aspects at play. Female yoga enthusiasts tend to adopt a more neutral, body positive view, possibly boosting their self-confidence and assertiveness. Talk about finger-lickin' good!
Moola bandha - the miracle move
Stories of unleashing blocked energy, moving "kundalini energy" to produce orgasms without ejaculation, and the like may lack solid scientific proof. But other yogic concepts are more palatable to skeptics. Moola bandha is a prime example.
Practicing moola bandha stimulates the sensory-motor and autonomic nervous system in the pelvic region, enforcing a calming effect on the body. It's theorized that this contraction could directly impact the reproductive organs, ostensibly aiding sexual function. A little pelvic floor TLC goes a long way!
Moola bandha is quite similar to Kegel exercises, which are recommended by sex therapy centers to help women better recognize and amplify their arousal sensations. The result? A sex life well worth bragging about!
The science behind the sexy story
As enticing as the potential sexual benefits of yoga are, it's essential to remember that the gap between empirical (i.e., experimental) evidence and anecdotal evidence is significant. The interwebz are teeming with the latter, but studies investigating the benefits of yoga for sexual function are sparse.
Most studies, including the ones mentioned above, come with a relatively small participant pool and lack control groups. More recent studies focus on women with underlying conditions like metabolic syndrome and multiple sclerosis, yielding stronger evidence.
So, while we wait for science to confirm (or deny) the existence of "yogasms," it seems wise to give yoga a shot for ourselves and our dude bros, and let our pelvic muscles reap the benefits!
- The study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine reported significant improvements in the sexual function of 40 women over 45, following a 12-week yoga program, as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index.
- Dr. Vikas Dhikav's study demonstrated that yoga exercises can enhance sexual satisfaction in men, as evaluated by the Male Sexual Quotient.
- A review of existing literature suggests that yoga impacts sexual response by regulating attention, breathing patterns, stress levels, and activating the "rest and relax" metabolic processes, which can improve sexual function.
- Moola bandha, a yogic practice that contracts the pelvic floor muscles, is theorized to directly impact reproductive organs and aids sexual function, similar to Kegel exercises recommended by sex therapy centers.
