Yoga: The Cure for Better Sex?
Dr. Marianne Brandon
I’m using yoga and sex in the same sentence. Are you surprised? What might the age-old Eastern tradition of yoga have to do with your sex life? Actually, quite a bit. Because researchers are finding that those men and women who do yoga regularly not only have clear physical benefits, they also enjoy sexual benefits! And it’s not just because of those tight yoga pants!
Yes it’s true, yoga is great for your sex life. Recent research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine confirms it. One study surveyed 40 women ages 22-55 before and after they participated in a 12-week yoga class. Most of these women were married, had no history of yoga practice, and were not exercising regularly at the start of their yoga program. Overall, these women reported an almost 20% improvement in overall sexual function after only 3 months of yoga! The improvements were noted in multiple areas: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Further, the improvements in the women over age 45 were more substantial than those noted in the younger ages.
And the same goes for men. Sixty-five males ages 24 to 60 who participated in a 12-week yoga class also enjoyed significant sexual benefits from their yoga experience. Specifically, men reported improvements in desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance, confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm. The researchers admitted they weren’t sure why yoga was so helpful for sexual function, but they speculated that it could be related to a variety of benefits, including improved muscle tone, decreased depression and anxiety, increased sense of well-being, decreased hypertension and improved genital awareness and blood flow.
Other recent research demonstrated that yoga may be beneficial for women struggling with sexual dysfunctions and concerns. So, it’s not just healthy folks who enjoy the sexual perks of yoga. Women with sexual concerns may report improved sexual satisfaction- perhaps as a result of a decrease in negative thoughts while making love, or because they are more physically relaxed and tuned into their bodies.
The bottom line: Yoga can be great for your sex life. It promotes the ability to tune into your body and become less distracted by negative thoughts or the inane ramblings that our minds generate often at inopportune moments. It makes you feel healthier and more fit. It takes away stiffness so that you feel more flexible and limber when making love. And it’s a perfect exercise to do together. So why not? Now that the days are shorter and we are spending less time out of doors, do something great for yourself and try out some yoga classes. Be sure to experiment with different instructors and types of classes, because not all yoga is the same. Plus, every instructor works his or her class a little differently. Do your own personal sexual research, and let us know how it goes!
I am also co-authoring a book on infidelity with Dr. Alan Altman, a psychologist and sex therapist whom many of you have heard and read on genConnect. Dr. Altman is participating in a live chat today on genConnect. Hot Topics With Dr. Alan Altman is Thursday, Jan 27 at 3:30 pm EST, 12:30 pm PST. We recently were videoing on genConnect about “friends with benefits” and the newly released movie, “No Strings Attached” starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. Click here to watch.
More from Dr. Brandon:
4 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Sex Therapist
How Our Culture Hurts Your Sex Life
“No Strings Attached” Sex Survey
More on the benefits of wellness:
The Cardio Myth, by Fred DeVito
Confess! Do you stretch? (POLL)
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Category: Intimacy, Relationships
