Yoga Benefits: Mind, Body… and Sexual Health?

The internet abounds with health articles and wellness blogs that expose the seemingly endless benefits of practicing yoga. From its advantages for the mind, such as reducing the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, to its physical benefits, including (but certainly not limited to) better balance and flexibility, weight loss, improved lung capacity and lower blood pressure, there is little to advise against the ancient practice of yoga. But, just in case you weren’t sold on its healing properties for the mind, body and soul— What about for a better sex life?

No, this isn’t just some unsubstantiated claim from a local yogi enthusiast. Accredited studies have found that practicing yoga really does improve your sex life. Harvard Health Publishing cited one study from The Journal of Sexual Medicine which indicated that regular yoga practice improves several aspects of sexual function in women, including desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication, pain and overall satisfaction.

Women aren’t the only ones who can benefit from hitting the mat. An analogous study by neurologist Dr. Vikas Dhikav examined the effects of a similar program on the sexual satisfaction of men. His researchers found yoga to be equally advantageous across all aspects of male satisfaction; “desire, intercourse satisfaction, performance confidence, partner synchronization, erection, ejaculatory control, and orgasm.”

Now that you know why practicing yoga can lead to better sex, you may be asking yourself, “but, how?”.Remember all of the amazing benefits we mentioned that yoga can have on your mental and physical health at the beginning of this blog? The combination of reduced stress and anxiety, and increased flexibility, lung capacity, etc. are not only advantages to your overall wellbeing, but they are also effects associated with improvements in sexual response. Not only that, but “female practitioners of yoga have been found to be less likely to objectify their bodies and to be more aware of their physical selves” says Dr. Brotto, a professor in the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at UBC. “This tendency, in turn, may be associated with increased sexual responsibility and assertiveness, and perhaps sexual desires.”

Yoga’s health benefits—both in and out of the bedroom—are undeniably remarkable. If you’re ready to roll out a mat and give yoga a try, join the Patty Brisben Foundation for our upcoming NamaSlay event at Nippert Stadium! Your body (and partner) will surely thank you. Register here!

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