Improved Sexual Function through Yoga Practice: Unveiling Its Advantages
Yo, what's good? Let's dive into the hype around yoga and its potential effect on your sex life, shall we?
First things first, the ancient practice of yoga has been proven to offer a host of health benefits. From relieving stress to boosting the brain's growth protein, it's clear that yoga does more than just make you feel zen.
But what about the sexy stuff? Does it work as well as some wellness blogs claim? Let's take a closer look at the research.
Yoga gets the job done for women
Research published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 12 weeks of yoga can improve sexual function for women over 45. The study looked at 40 women and their self-reported sexual function before and after the yoga sessions. After the 12-week period, these ladies reported a significant improvement across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and satisfaction.
The women were trained on 22 poses, or yogasanas, believed to improve core abdominal muscles, digestion, pelvic floor strength, and mood. Some popular poses include trikonasana (triangle pose), bhujangasana (snake pose), and ardha matsyendra mudra (half spinal twist).
Men can benefit too
It's not all about the ladies, though. Dr. Vikas Dhikav, a neurologist from India, led a study examining the effects of 12 weeks of yoga on the sexual satisfaction of men. At the end of the study period, the participants reported a significant improvement in their sexual function, as evaluated by the Male Sexual Quotient.
Yoga has even been found to be a viable alternative to fluoxetine (Prozac) for treating premature ejaculation in men, according to a comparative trial led by the same team of researchers.
Why does yoga work wonders?
Researchers from the University of British Columbia explored the mechanisms behind yoga's sexual-enhancing properties. They found that yoga regulates attention and breathing, lowers anxiety and stress, and activates the part of the nervous system that triggers relaxation.
Psychologically, female yoga practitioners are less likely to objectify their bodies and more aware of their physical selves, which may be associated with increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness.
The key to hitting that zero-gravity orgasm? Moola bandha
While stories about releasing blocked energy in root chakras might not be backed by rigorous scientific evidence, other yogic concepts, like moola bandha, make more sense to the skeptics among us. Moola bandha is a perineal contraction that stimulates the nervous system in the pelvic region, leading to a series of benefits including relieving period pain, childbirth pain, sexual difficulties in women, and treating premature ejaculation and controlling testosterone secretion in men.
So, is the evidence reliable?
While the potential sexual benefits of yoga are promising, it's important to remember that the amount of empirical evidence supporting these claims is not exhaustive. The Internet is filled with anecdotal stories, but rigorous scientific research specifically linking yoga to improved sexual function is still evolving. However, studies focusing on women with sexual dysfunction and metabolic syndrome have yielded stronger evidence, suggesting that yoga may be an effective treatment for sexual dysfunction as well as other metabolic issues.
In conclusion, while more research is needed to fully support the claim that yoga directly improves sexual function, the benefits for pelvic health, mental well-being, and holistic health make it worth giving a try. Namaste, happy yoga-ing!
Yoga is not only beneficial for overall health but also has potential effects on sexual health. A study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that 12 weeks of yoga can improve sexual function for women over 40, as reported by a significant improvement across all sections of the Female Sexual Function Index. Men can also benefit, as a study led by Dr. Vikas Dhikav found a significant improvement in sexual function for male participants after 12 weeks of yoga. The mechanisms behind yoga's sexual-enhancing properties include regulation of attention and breathing, lowering anxiety and stress, and activation of the relaxation response in the nervous system. While more research is needed to fully support the claim that yoga directly improves sexual function, its benefits for pelvic health, mental well-being, and holistic health make it worth trying.
