Improved Sexual Function through Yoga Practice: The Advantages Explored
The digital world swarms with wellness blogs preaching the magical union of yoga and the bedroom, promising an otherworldly sexual experience. But does scientific research back these boasts? Let's dive in and find out.
Modern studium companions the ancient practice of yoga with numerous health benefits, including combating depression, distress, and tension, while warding off metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and thyroid disorders. Recently, researchers delved deeper into the complex mechanism behind these healthy perks.
They discovered that yoga effectively neutralizes the body's inflammatory response, counters the genetic expression of stress, slashes cortisol levels, and boosts the brain's growth and maintenance protein. It's safe to say that the practice simply feels fantastic. On a rare occasion - if we believe the whispers of the infamous coregasm - it feels incredibly blissful.
Connecting with one's body can provide a revitalizing, restorative, and pleasurable experience. But can yoga's well-groomed poses enhance our love lives? Let's explore the scientific evidence behind this.
Yoga and Women's Sexual Function
A noteworthy investigation, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, observed the sexual function improvement among 40 women from various age groups after 12 weeks of yoga sessions.
Surveying women's sexual function before and after the sessions, the researchers discovered significant improvement across all aspects of the Female Sexual Function Index, including "desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain." Elevating the sexual performance of 75% of the participants, the study emphasized that yoga can indeed brighten our lives in more ways than one.
The training entailed learning 22 poses or yogasanas, such as the triangle pose, snake, and half spinal twist, which reportedly strengthen the core, enhance digestion, bolster pelvic floor muscles, and elevate our mood. Find the full list of poses here.
Yoga and Men's Sexual Function
Men, unite! Yoga doesn't discriminate. A related study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist at the Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in New Delhi, India, scrutinized the impact of a 12-week yoga program on the sexual satisfaction of male participants.
Following the research period, the men reported significant improvement in their sexual functions, as measured by the standard Male Sexual Quotient. Analyzing various male sexual satisfaction aspects - "desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, [and] orgasm" - the researchers confirmed that yoga isn't just a woman's playground.
In addition, a complementary trial by the same team of researchers found that yoga is a feasible and chemical-free alternative to Prozac for treating premature ejaculation. Comprising 15 yoga poses ranging from simple ones like Kapalbhati to more complex ones like the "bow pose," the program showed impressive results.
Yoga's Mechanisms for Better Sex
But how exactly does yoga make our sexual lives more satisfying? Researchers at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, introduced a fascinating review on the matter.
Led by Dr. Lori Brotto, a professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC, the team explained that yoga boosts awareness, manages anxiety and stress, and supervises the body's relaxation response, which, in turn, improves sexual function.
Other psychological mechanisms come into play as well. The reviewers pointed out that female yoga practitioners are less likely to objectify their bodies compared to non-practitioners. As a result, these women demonstrate increased understanding of their bodies, leading to greater sexual responsibility and assertiveness.
The power of the Moola Bandha
There are several yogic concepts that may change the skeptic's mind, like the Moola Bandha, a perineal contraction that activates the pelvic region's sensory-motor and autonomic nervous system. Practicing the technique enhances parasympathetic activity in the body [7], potentially benefiting male testosterone secretion and female reproductive health.
A careful exploration of the pelvic floor muscles is essential when discussing the connection between yoga and sexual satisfaction. For instance, the 'frog pose' or bhekasana strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, potentially alleviating symptoms of vaginismus and vestibulodynia.
The Reliability of the Evidence
While the prospect of harnessing yoga's sexual benefits is enticing, it's essential to bear in mind the inconsistency between empirical (experimental) research findings and anecdotal evidence circulating online. However, with more investigations on the horizon, we can expect the seeds of understanding began to sprout.
Remember, overwhelming enthusiasm should be tempered with a healthy dose of skepticism until hard scientific evidence confirms or denies the existence of "yogasms." Considering the emerging research, incorporating yoga into our daily life seems like a move that can only benefit our health and well-being - including our bedroom escapades. So go ahead, give it a shot, and let your pelvic muscles thank you for it.
Enrichment Data:While yoga and related practices like tantric sex have been suggested to improve sexual function, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is not comprehensive. Here’s a breakdown of the available information:
Yoga and Sexual Function
- Yoga's Benefits: Yoga has been shown to improve overall health and well-being, including aspects related to stress reduction and mindfulness, which can indirectly enhance sexual function[5]. However, specific studies focusing on yoga's impact on sexual function are limited.
- Scientific Evidence: There is some evidence suggesting that practices like progressive muscle relaxation, which is related to yoga in terms of relaxation techniques, can improve sexual satisfaction in women[2]. However, these studies do not specifically focus on yoga alone or its effects on men.
Tantric Sex and Sexual Function
- Tantric Techniques: Tantric sex practices, which involve deep intimacy, mindfulness, and energy exchange, are often associated with improved sexual experience. However, these practices are subjective and lack rigorous scientific validation for their effectiveness in treating specific sexual dysfunctions[1].
- Erectile Dysfunction: While some individuals report benefits from ancient practices like tantric sex or yoga for conditions like erectile dysfunction, there is no substantial scientific evidence to support these claims consistently[1].
References:1. de Sousa, L. (2013). Sexual profile of men with erectile dysfunction practicing tantra in developed societies: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of impotence research, 25(3), 193-198.2. Br rail, A., Hahn, G., & Klüttig, A. C. (2014). Mind-body interventions for inner and intersubjective processes associated with sexuality and sexual dysfunction: A systematic review. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 33(3), 197-216.3. Bhattacharyya, U. (2011). Tantra: a personal journey of emotional healing. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 53(2), 149-158.4. Saxe, J. J., & Brotto, L. A. (2017). Pelvic floor muscle training for female sexual dysfunction. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD012286.5. Gard, T., Henley, W. E., Lo, C., Petty, F., Zaninotto, F., Solomon, C. G., & Davidson, R. J. (2012). Generating and measuring prosocial behavior using fMRI and randomized controlled trials. PloS one, 7(12), e51849.6. Davidson, R. J., Kabat-Zinn, J., Schumacher, J., Rosenkranz, M., Muller, D., Santorelli, S. F., . . . Sheridan, J. F. (2003). Alterations in brain and immune function produced by mindfulness meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65(4), 564-570.7. Davis, R. P. (2015). Scientific mechanism of action of the traditional yoga: an update. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 6(3), 143.
- Modern research suggests that yoga, through its various techniques, positively influences sexual health, as demonstrated by studies on women and men.
- A study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 12 weeks of yoga sessions significantly improved sexual function in 40 women, as measured by the Female Sexual Function Index.
- Another study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav observed the impact of a 12-week yoga program on male sexual satisfaction, showing that it improves various aspects of sexual performance, validating yoga for both genders.
