Improving Sexual Function through Yoga: Understanding Its Advantages
The web is brimming with wellness blogs advocating yoga for enhanced intimacy, alongside personal testimonies of its sex-enhancing properties. But, is the science behind these claims legit? Let's dig in.
Nowadays, modern research is just scratching the surface of yoga's multitude of benefits. From alleviating depression and stress to dealing with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, there's no denying that the ancient practice gets results.
But, how does it boost our bedroom experiences? Let's dive into the research.
Yoga's Effect on Women's Sexual Health
One frequently cited study from The Journal of Sexual Medicine indicated that yoga could indeed enhance sexual function, particularly in women aged 45 and over. The study looked at the effects of a 12-week yoga practice on the sexual health of 40 women, effectively improving desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain for 75% of them. These women focused on 22 poses, like trikonasana (or the triangle pose), bhujangasana (the snake), and ardha matsyendra mudra (half spinal twist).
Men Reap the Rewards Too
The advantages aren't limited to the fairer sex. An analogous study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, found that men experienced significant improvements in sexual satisfaction after a 12-week yoga program. These enhancements were seen in desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, orgasm, and overall sexual health as evaluated by the standard Male Sexual Quotient.
The Why Behind the How
But why does yoga work its wonders? A review of existing literature by researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada helps elucidate some of its sex-enhancing mechanisms. Yoga calms the mind, reduces stress, regulates breathing, and normalizes the nervous system—all of which contribute to better sexual response. Additionally, yoga practitioners tend to have a greater body awareness and self-acceptance, which could lead to increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness.
Moola Bandha: A game-changer
Though tales of releasing blocked energy and moving "kundalini energy" through the spine to induce ejaculation-free orgasms may be short on scientific backing, other yogic concepts might hold more appeal to skeptics. Moola bandha is one such concept; it's a pelvic-floor contraction that stimulates the nervous system in the pelvic region, promoting relaxation, rejuvenation, and improved circulation. Some research suggests that practicing moola bandha can alleviate period pain, childbirth pain, and sexual difficulties in women, as well as aid in the treatment of premature ejaculation and testosterone secretion in men.
Incorporating yoga into our daily lives can bring about noticeable benefits, from enhanced pelvic health to improved sexual satisfaction—assuming that scientists continue to uncover more evidence to support these claims. So, why not give it a try? Your pelvic muscles will surely appreciate it.
- Yoga, as indicated in a study from The Journal of Sexual Medicine, can enhance sexual function, particularly in women aged 45 and over, improving desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain for 75% of them.
- men also experience significant improvements in sexual satisfaction after a 12-week yoga program, as shown in a study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav.
- The benefits of yoga for sexual health can be attributed to its ability to calm the mind, reduce stress, regulate breathing, and normalize the nervous system, which contributes to better sexual response.
- Moola bandha, a pelvic-floor contraction in yoga, stimulates the nervous system in the pelvic region, promoting relaxation, rejuvenation, and improved circulation, potentially aiding in the treatment of sexual difficulties in both men and women.
