Yoga Relaxes the Body and Mind
All About the Male Orgasm
Study Shows That Yoga Helps Reduce Premature Ejaculation
7 Reasons to Have Sex Right Now
Study Supports Aid for Women, Too
3 Yoga Moves to Boost Happiness
A Look at Arousal, Desire, Lubrication, Satisfaction, and More
Quick, Stress-Reducing Yoga Moves
Almost Any Style of Yoga Will Do
Because so many yoga poses are effective for enhancing sexual health, you can find a yoga style that suits you, from Iyengar or basic hatha to gentle restorative yoga.
In addition to yoga studios, you can find yoga classes at gyms, YMCAs, hospitals, and community centers. Of course, if you haven’t exercised in a while, you should check with your physician before starting a yoga program.
Workouts and DVDs on Yoga for Sex and Sexual Health
Several DVDs specifically focus on poses that enhance sexual health. Some of the more popular ones include Better Sex Through Yoga and Better Sex Through Yoga for Gay Men.
Yoga Poses Especially Beneficial for Sex and Sexual Health
Ellen Barrett, a yoga instructor in Litchfield, Connecticut, and the author of the book Sexy Yoga, recommends the following poses as especially beneficial for women and men looking to enhance their sexual health. Hold each pose up to 3 minutes for best results.
Triangle Pose This pose, featured in the journal of Sexual Medicine study on women, strengthens the muscles in the thighs and hips and is thought to promote hormonal balance.
To do: Stand on a yoga mat or nonslip floor and spread your feet widely apart. Turn your right foot so your toes are pointing to the top of the mat while pivoting your left foot slightly inward. Raise your arms to your sides at shoulder height, so they’re parallel to the floor, palms facing down. As you exhale, fold at your right hip and, without letting your torso drop forward or back, bring your right arm to your outer shin or ankle or, if you can reach, the floor. Turn your left palm over, with your fingertips reaching toward the sky, and gently gaze at the upward hand. Your extended arms and the space between your feet should form a straight, 90-degree triangle. After several minutes, lift your torso and return your arms to the starting position. Repeat on the other side.
Cobra Pose “Cobra is a heart opener, which helps us to give and receive love,” Barrett says. It is also known for increasing overall energy.
To do: Lie on your abdomen. Place your hands on the ground, palms down, beneath your shoulders. Place your forehead on the floor. Keep your elbows tucked close to your body as you begin. Inhaling, lift your head and upper chest off the ground, curling backward and feeling your pelvis press into the floor for support. Hold here for a while, continuing to breathe. Then continue lifting until everything above your navel is off the floor, slightly bending back as you rise. When you’re ready, gently lower your body and head back to the floor.
Wide-Legged Straddle This forward bend increases the range of motion in your hips and also boosts blood flow to the pelvis.
To do: Sit on the floor and open your legs as widely as is comfortable. Rotate your thighs so your knee caps point up toward the ceiling. Moving from your hip joint (so you’re not bending down from your waist), begin leaning forward. Place your hands on the floor in front of you and, keeping them extended, slowly walk them away from your body. Stop at the point you feel tension in the pelvis and legs. Hold and breathe. After several minutes, walk your hands back and raise your chest to seated position.
