Locate information on yoga, breathing techniques, nutrition, health, yogic philosophy, merchandise, and related links at Focal Point Yoga, a well-organized site featuring consistently updated information on Yoga, Meditation, Kids Yoga, Children’s Yoga, Kripalu, Ashtanga, Astanga, yoga books, Nutrition, Body/Mind, Spirit, driste, pranayama, breath, breathe, breathing techniques, yamas, niyamas, health, nutrition, meditation, Massachusetts, MA, Ma., Mass., M.A.,   yoga classes, digestion, philosophy, relaxation, Yoga Mats

Yoga for Sexual Vitality and Control

While some yogis practice abstinence as part of their yoga, many yogic lineages are tantric.  Tantric principles acknowledge the body as divine, and integral part of your spirituality, and all bodily functions are acknowledged and respected, not hidden.

Sex is a natural expression of love, and of energy, and there are many people in Western Society who have a variety of issues around sex.  Generally, if people have a low sex drive or low sexual control, self-esteem is affected.  People with a healthy, active sex life are shown to have healthier hearts and reproductive organs, lower instances of psychological problems, and there are many physical benefits!  Yoga can help increase sexual vitality and control.

There is nothing wrong with sex - it is healthy, and can be physically satisfying, fun, and transformational if used to attain different levels of consciousness.  The moment of orgasm can be a state of altered consciousness, and it lasts to short a time for most people - what if you could maintain that state for longer periods of time?  How would this affect your romantic partnerships as well?   A healthy, active sex life can make your body healthier, your mind happier and more clear, and your interactions with others more joyous.  

I feel that there is no shame in our bodies - and the first step towards a healthy sex life is to love your own body, and be comfortable with your entire body.  Find a partner who you can trust and understands this, and explore each other's bodies - if you are shy about having your partner touch part of your body, for example, the anus, then practice touching there, in a safe and loving setting, using massage and softness to help each other accept the body in its entirety.  

Second step - open mind.  Don't judge what you like/dislike - what turns you on or off.  Just learn it about yourself.  You don't need to act on every fantasy or every erotic thought - just know what has a sexually arousing effect on you, and let go of shame or judgment.  Open to what IS.  For example, some men find it arousing to be dominated by a woman, or vice versa - but don't feel it is "right" somehow.  Let go of judgment and learn about yourself so you can be fulfilled and fulfilling to another.

There are many factors which can contribute to a decreased libido (sex drive):   Medications (such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication, blood pressure pills), obesity, ill health, menopause and male menopause, stress, fatigue.  Many factors, environmental, social, and physiological.  You may not need to take a pill to help with this!  You can increase sexual energy using yoga!

Some yoga techniques known to help increase sexual energy and control:

Mulabhanda - core lift - increases circulation to perineum, increases control of musculature around the sexual organs.

Eka Pada Raja Kapotasana - one legged king's pigeon - opens hips, relieves tightness and pain in hips and low back, increases circulation to pelvis

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle, Butterfly) - opens hips, increases circulation to pelvic floor

Supta Hasta Padangusthasana (reclining leg stretch series) - opens hips, increases circulation to pelvic floor, stimulates sexual organs

Setu Bandasana (bridge) and Urdva Dhanurasana (upward bow) - opens hips, increases circulation to pelvic floor, stimulates sexual organs

Malasana - Squat - opens hips, increases circulation to pelvic floor, stimulates sexual organs

Prasarita Padotanasana (standing wide legged forward fold) - opens hips and inner thighs

Supta Konasana - opens hips, increases circulation to pelvic floor, stimulates sexual organs

Upavistha Konasana (seated spread leg forward bend)- opens hips and inner thighs

Virabhadrasana 2 (warrior 2) - opens hips, increases circulation to pelvic floor, stimulates sexual organs

Curled Janu Shirshansana  - great for lumbar spine, opening pelic joints

Great Seal (Maha Mudra) - great for inner hips and thighs

Shoulderstand Cycle - increases abdominal strength

Knee Down Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana) - stretches spine, opens hips, relaxes and releases tension in abdomen.

Paschimottanasana (forward bend) - opens pelvis and thighs

Sphinx - for women, it will increase sexual vitality by stimulating the adrenal glands

Trikonasana (triangle)  - opens hips, thighs, pelvis - lengthens spine to tone nervous system

1/2 moon series -  tones nervous system, increases energy

Chandra Namaskara (Moon Salutation)  - deep stretches for hips, pelvis, thighs - increases strength and flexibility of lower body, increases circulation to lower body, opens Root Chakra.

Dhanurasana (Bow) - strengthens hips, opens chest and releases tension around heart, increases circulation through the body, opens front of hips and thighs.

Urdhva Dhanuransa (upward Bow, basic backbend, wheel) - strengthens abs and hips tremendously.  stretches an opens front of hips, works inner thighs and pelvic floor - energizes body.

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION - I will post more information here soon.  If you want to learn more, buy "Sexual Ecstasy" by Margot Anand - a guide to tantric sexuality based on yogic philosophy