Improving Your Sex Life Through Yoga

Everybody\'s interested in sex. Whether it\'s to get pregnant, who\'s
doing it and with whom, or how often is normal? We wonder what we
should wear, or how much hair to remove to get more of it, or even
how to market it? It\'s in our face in some way, often
subliminally, and frequently in a distorted way every day. Men and
women obviously have differing sexual needs, (not necessarily sex
drives guys!), and this often leads to conflict. Conflict is the
antithesis of yoga, yet within conflict there is always
opportunity for unity. This is where yoga comes into play.

Sex and yoga is about harmony, about bringing balance into the
equation so both sexes feel healthy, nourished and appreciated,
free from all the usual repercussions or associated pressures. In
my opinion the essence of sex is as a pathway to spiritual
transformation and lasting physical well being. Basically yoga
makes you feel good. It gets the blood pumping. It gets the
hormones flushing through the body. It gives your skin a healthy
youthful glow. It generates heat and stimulation from the inside
out. It gives you energy, and that\'s sexy.

Sex and yoga are more intimately connected than we think. Sex
feels good. Good sex with someone we love opens our hearts, makes
us smile and relieves tension. Sex is about relationship,
connection, intimacy, love and creative expression. At their best
sex and yoga are about union, truth and love. To reveal those
things in your life, your yoga practice, and your sex life takes a
genuine commitment to creating a deeper sense of intimacy and
overall wellbeing. In my journey as a yoga teacher I encourage all
those things and created a yoga system as a way of putting it into
a concise practice.

I use a unique system of corrective Japanese yoga postures,
wholefood medicine and breath work, which has the potential to
heal and enliven, stimulate and support both the sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems. When this happens, optimal
function of our hormonal, lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory and
digestive systems is restored. This makes us feel more vital,
connected and present. We begin to engage more fully with life on
all levels - mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and
sexually.

To keep it simple: each section of our spine is governed by a
particular meridian, and our very foundation, the sacrum, our base
chakra into Mother Earth, dictates how secure, confident and
trusting we feel within ourselves. Our sexual essence, that is,
our base chakra or kundalini energy, is the connection between our
Spirit and Universal Consciousness, or Love.

The flow of sexual hormones is governed primarily by our kidney
energy and is intricately connected to our emotional health and
how fluidly we move through life, and whether we speak our truth
from our hearts and souls without fear. A strong aligned spine is
the foundation channel for this universal energy so we can move
through life, embrace challenges and grow into the full expression
of ourselves.

Sex and yoga are therefore intricately entwined!

Our sexual and emotional confidence is governed by the quality of
our Base chakra (perineum), Solar plexus chakra (navel) and Heart
chakra. Yoga works to connect the potential in these chakras and
energize the entire chakra system from the pelvic floor to our
biggest sex organ, the brain. My female students have noticed
marked improvement in their energy levels, regulation of, and
reduced discomfort throughout their menstrual cycles, healthier
hair and skin and a general sense of heightened vitality, libido
and sexual responsiveness - all good things!

For women, the sequence will help correct gynaecological
disorders, enhance fertility, counter osteoporosis, reduce
varicose veins, rebuild pelvic floor integrity after childbirth
(imperative on so many levels!), balance hormonal function and
generally improve emotional and sexual confidence. My male
students are honoured and nourished equally so they can start to
access both their male and female energies (yin and yang) in an
appropriate way to experience balance, intuition and emotional
expression, rather than traditional repression.

They comment that they have become more empathetic with their
partners and other men. They unravel learnt behaviours and
stereotypes that stop them from feeling and being true to
themselves, without losing their sense of masculinity. You can
still be a bloke and sensitive. For men, the important issues of
prostate health, virility/fertility, hair loss, libido, body
confidence and stamina are addressed to help counter the effects
of aging, modern day stresses and work and relationship pressures
often placed upon them.

This ripples out into the greater community as energy of
understanding, compassion, tolerance, self responsibility and
positive response rather than reaction, and ultimately, respect
for the opposite sex. These introductory postures take just 20 -
30 minutes a day and if possible should be done at least 3 times a
week.

1: Gall Bladder Dips

Interlace hands behind head, R foot against L knee. Exhale and
drop elbow to rear foot to open up opposite waist, draw elbows
wide. Inhale to centre, repeat briskly x 8. Releases tight sides
and brings softness to the shoulders & hips. Also releases the
lines that govern the metabolism so we can maintain healthy weight
and body image, plus tones the waist/hip line where we often store
unresolved issues.

2: Spleen Bridge - Setu Bandha

Exhale and lift hips high, pressing through inside edge of feet.
Inhale and lower one vertebra at a time to the mat. Repeat
smoothly x 8, drawing knees in slightly to feel inner thigh line.
Rest on back after and breathe - feel Spleen blood quality/pulsing
up legs into belly. Upper body will soften and thoughts will relax
as well as hormone flow improves. When we feel warm and nurtured
from within this expresses as compassion and sensitivity towards
ourselves and others. Spleen energy helps us make supportive
choices & develops personal integrity so we don\'t repeat
negative/destructive patterns in relation to ourselves or others.

3: Kidney/Spleen Lift

Lie on belly with L foot pressed into R inner knee, squeeze elbows
into ribs. Exhale and lift hands and straight leg, pressing foot
to knee and feeling the kidney area. Inhale and lower, repeat
lifting x 6, then hold up and inhale. Exhale and squeeze around to
L, lift chest and straight leg to draw awareness into weak points
in lower back and increase blood flow and motivation into the
kidneys. Inhale to centre, exhale and squeeze round to R. Swing L
to R briskly x 10 then rest on belly with head to one side and
breathe deeply.

Stimulates endorphins and increases sexual vigor, builds libido
and stamina.

4: Bow - Dhanurasana

Lie on belly and bend knees to hold ankles, forehead to mat.
Exhale and lift into Bow, press belly into mat and resist feet
with hands to open shoulders. Inhale and lower, rest briefly then
repeat and hold up for 3-6 breaths. Relax and feel the lungs,
heart and belly energies connecting. Excellent for reproductive
organs, circulation and developing emotional sensitivity.

5: Downward Facing Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana

Come onto all fours in Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), hands
shoulder width, feet hip width, bend knees if need too. Hold for 5
- 8 breaths, releasing the jaw and neck, lengthening the spine up
to the tailbone and rolling the shoulders away from the ears.
Downward Dog stretches the spine and nervous system channels to
bring mental clarity, nourish the spine and nerves and counterpose
to Dhanurasana. Downward Dog builds mental endurance, leg and arm
strength and nourishes the endocrine system, strengthens the heart
and builds overall health and organ function.

6: Triangle Pose - Trikonasana

Take legs one leg length apart, R foot heel dissects L arch, L
toes turned in 30 degrees. Arms out to sides at shoulder height,
spine long and legs engaged. Exhale and lean over R leg extending
and lifting R arm to open R ribcage. Keep back foot grounded and
belly drawn to spine. Lower R hand to shin and L fingers to
ceiling in line with shoulder, look to floor or up along L
fingertips. Hold and breathe 5 - 8 breaths, focusing on
lengthening the spine, rotating the chest, extending the energy
from the heart out into the fingertips and anchoring down into the
legs. Come up to standing on an inhalation and switch feet to do
the other side. Lay down on your back after for a few breaths to
absorb the cleansing effect of the pose.

Trikonasana strengthens the legs, tones the abdominal organs,
particularly the Liver, flushes the hormones and lymphatics and
creates a sense of expansion, acceptance and patience. Clear Liver
energy helps connect us with our inner wisdom and ability to see
opportunities and make appropriate choices that support our
direction and purpose in life.

7: Crocodile - Chaturanga

Lie on your belly, hands beside chest, toes tucked under and knees
lifted off the mat so legs are elevated and parallel to the floor.
Exhale and contract entire body to lift off the mat and squeeze
from the belly out into the limbs. Keep elbows close to ribs,
chest in line with elbows and elbows over the wrists. Hold up for
3 breaths then rest with head to one side.

Crocodile governs the lungs and helps develop breath capacity,
mental stamina and a sense of empowerment. Strong lungs give us a
sense of trust and positivity as we draw in nourishment and
breathe out stagnancy. Healthy lungs fuel the blood with oxygen
and regulate the nervous system which in turn makes us feel good
and radiate vibrant, attractive energy.

8: Hara Bicycle

Lie on your back with legs long and hands interlaced behind the
head. Exhale and draw R knee to chest, L elbow up and across to
meet it. Feel the belly engage. Inhale to centre, exhale and swap
sides. Briskly cycle to build your belly strength and tone your
abdominal organs and harness inner strength. Hara bicycle connects
the kidney and lung energies to circulate oxygen, adrenalin and
promote production of fresh hormones. Hara (or belly centre)
strength and integrity is essential to maintain optimal digestion
and hormone balance. When we are disconnected from or congested in
our bellies, we lose awareness of what is appropriate and
inappropriate, on all levels.

9: Seated Butterfly - Baddhakonasana

Sit with soles together, knees wide and hands interlaced around
edges of toes. Use hands against feet as traction to lift the
chest and lengthen the spine. Close the eyes and focus on your
breath at the end of your practice now, observing the shifts in
your body and mind and getting a sense of the energies moving
within. Baddhakonasana is an excellent hip opener that helps
circulate fresh blood around the pelvis to nourish the
reproductive organs. Sit quietly for 5 - 10 minutes, breathing in
and out through the nose to calm the adrenals, drawing the breath
down into the belly and sit bones so you feel grounded, nourished
and calm. As always with any posture always move within a
sharp-pain-free range of movement. If you feel uncomfortable with
a posture just bring it back a little. Do remember though, you
need to be fit for good sex so keep your practice going and enjoy
Sex and Yoga.