If you’re looking for a simple yet proven way to improve your sexlife, exercise is a great place to start.
I’ve written about improving sex postpartum, learning to love your body, and boosting your sex drive during the isolation we all experienced from Covid19. One of the through lines in all of these is exercise. Create a routine for yourself and set an intention to move your body daily. Knowing you are doing what you can to cultivate a healthy body and connect to your authentic self creates confidence and self-love. The ever evolving practice of loving yourself well and connecting deeply with others, are intricately linked.
Giddy wrote this recent article specifically on the sexual health benefits of yoga, offering different poses to help you with arousal, stamina, and flexibility.
Yoga Poses for a Better Sex Life
One of the best ways to get healthy and improve sexual performance is with a yoga routine.
Yoga is a fantastic choice for almost anyone looking to get healthy, regardless of their current physical state. Yoga lubricates the joints, increases flexibility and promotes relaxation.
While yoga is great for a full-body workout, its ability to increase flexibility and improve balance will help tune up your sex skills. Better flexibility also allows for deeper penetration, easier climax and more stamina. The following four poses are great for beginners and can improve your sex life:
Cat and cow pose
The cat and cow pose is an easy yoga warmup that stretches the spine and hip flexors. Start on your hands and knees with your back flat. Then, as you breathe in for six counts, look up to the ceiling and tilt your pelvis back to achieve the cow pose.
Hold this pose for one breath. As you exhale, lower your head until you are looking at the ground; tuck your pelvis under until your spine is lifted up in an arch. This is the cat pose. Hold for one six-count breath.
Repeat the cat and cow at least three times before moving on to the next pose. This ensures your back and hips are warmed up for the upcoming deeper stretches. Repeated practice of this pose will open the pelvis and elongate the spine for greater flexibility in any sexual position.
Downward dog
This next pose is a staple of any yoga practice. Start on all fours, hands and knees. Supporting yourself with your hands and feet, lift your hips and butt upward while keeping your legs and back straight and your palms on the ground.
This motion will fold you into an upside-down “V,” or downward dog. You should feel the majority of your weight in your shoulders and feet, and you should look like a dog stretching. The backs of your legs will stretch deeply, and after a few repetitions, your hip joints and back will loosen.
Downward dog is fantastic for building stamina because it works multiple muscle groups at once. At the same time, the isometric workout on your hips, arms and legs strengthens your body, enabling you to hold any position in the bedroom.
Deep lunge
The deep lunge opens up the hips, stretches the spine and lubricates the hip joints to help you get comfortable breathing in highly twisted positions, which should allow for deeper penetration during sex. First, position yourself in downward dog. Then, move either your right or left foot to a point between your hands. Place all of your weight on this foot and raise your hands above your head. This will shift the stretch from the back of the thigh to your hip joints.
For an added twist, you can keep one hand on the ground and turn your gaze to the ceiling to flex and stretch your spine. When you complete the first foot, remember to reposition yourself in downward dog and do this same move on the other foot for a balanced stretch. This move should be held for at least three breaths to achieve maximum benefits.
Straddle pose
This pose is great for anyone interested in Kama Sutra positions that require extreme flexibility. Accomplish the straddle pose by sitting on the ground and spreading your legs out as far as they can comfortably go.
Next, lean forward from the hips, keeping your back straight, and bend as far as is comfortable. When you cannot bend anymore, lay your hands on the ground in front of you and relax your upper body. The weight of your torso will stretch your legs and hips.
This pose should be held for at least three six-count breaths, which should ensure that your hip and thigh muscles fully relax to allow for a complete stretch of your hip flexors. With daily practice, this pose will allow for deeper penetration in any sexual position.
Continuing your practice
For beginners, yoga can be difficult and sometimes uncomfortable. This is a normal part of developing a routine. With daily practice, yoga will relax your body and bring calmness to your mind.
A developed yoga practice will revitalize your hip joints, and other areas of the body, to enhance your sexual pleasure. Regardless of how simple or complex the poses might be, yoga helps you feel comfortable and in tune with your own body, so you can more fully enjoy your time with your partner.
This article was written by Holly Ellis for Giddy. You can find the original article here.
Yoga has long been known for its numerous health benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Remember, if yoga isn’t right for you, there are other exercises and lifestyle changes that can also improve sex. Cardiovascular exercises, like walking, swimming, cycling, dancing etc, will increase blood flow and improve stamina. Add in strength training, like lifting weights or using stretch bands, for overall strength and fitness. And don’t forget, pelvic floor exercises like kegels can help with your arousal and orgasms. The key is to find exercises you know you can and will actually do. Find a rhythm that feels right for you and stick to it. If you want help on your journey toward improved sexual health, reach out.