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Yoga is something I am extremely passionate about. I've been practicing yoga exclusively for almost two years, and I even teach yoga part-time. What began as just exercise has become so much more — I now practice yoga because it gives me mental clarity.
Since practicing yoga, I have become less stressed, more confident, and physically and emotionally stronger. With benefits like increased strength, flexibility and weight-loss, yoga is an all-around winner! When you feel more confident, have better stamina and flexibility, naturally you will want to have more sex and and better sex. Here are 5 yoga poses to help improve your sex life! Note: some of these poses may not be suitable for pregnant women. Our Lora Swarts reports.
In this series on yoga for better sex, I am here with 5 poses that will definitely rev up your sex life! Remember to consciously breath in every pose and use modifications when necessary.
#1 Balasana (Child's pose)
This pose is great for relaxing and drawing inward. This pose will help you focus, relax and draw you into the present moment (which is always great pre-sexy time). Balasana gently stretches the hips, thighs and ankles. Rest in this pose for a few minutes.
How to do child's pose: kneel on your mat. Bring your big toes to touch and sit back onto your heels. Separate your knees as wide as your yoga mat or as wide as your hips. Lay your torso down in between your thighs and rest your head on your mat. Reach your arms straight out in front of you with your palms facing down, or rest your arms alongside your torso, palms facing up. Allow your shoulders to release toward the floor. With every inhale, expand your rib cage and lengthen your breath. With every exhale, deflate and release any stressful thoughts or parts of your day. Use your breath to focus and calm your mind.
#2 Ahdo Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog pose)
Downward facing dog is great for strengthening your arms and legs and stretching your shoulders, calves and hamstrings. This is a very energizing pose and can also calm your mind and relieve stress. It is both a calming and invigorating pose, and really helps you get into the present moment. Plus, your butt is already in the air — a great "come hither" signal to your partner!
How to do downward dog: Come into a tabletop position with your knees directly under your hips and your hands under your shoulders. Spread your fingers as wide as you can. Keep your wrist creases parallel with the top of your mat. Lift your knees off the floor and begin to straighten your legs. For a bigger stretch in your hamstrings, lengthen your stance so your heels come slightly off of the mat. Keep your head between your upper arms and draw your shoulders down towards your tailbone. Press into your hands, and press back through your heels. Stay here for 1-3 minutes. As you release, drop down into child's pose.
#3 Upavistha Konasana
(Seated wide-legged forward fold)
This pose is great for your low-libido. It improves blood flow to your lower half and brings energy and vitality to your pelvic area. The more blood flowing through your veins, the higher your arousal. This pose not only calms the mind, but it helps stretch the insides and back of your legs and releases your groins.
How to do a wide-legged forward fold: If you have tight hips, sit up on a folded blanket. Open your legs wide, to form a 90 degree angle. Roll onto the front edges of your sitting bones (untuck your pelvis). Point your toes up to the sky and activate your feet. Find a tall spine and breath into your low belly. With a elongated spine, fold forward from your hip joints. With every exhale fold a little bit deeper. Rest your head on a block for support or if you can, fold all the way forward to the floor. Stay in this pose for 1-3 minutes. When you are ready to come out, gently rise up with a long spine and draw your legs together.
#4 Garudasana (Eagle pose)
This is one sexy pose and is even in the Kama Sutra. This snake-like posture builds strength, detoxes, and builds confidence all in one! In this pose you wrap one leg around the other like a rope, and once you release your limbs, all the blood rushes through your cervix! This pose really gets you ready and in the mood.
How to do eagle pose: Stand upright with your feet firmly planted into the floor. Lift your left leg and balance on your right foot. Wrap your leg leg around your right thigh and then wrap your left foot around your right calf. Stretch your arms out in front of you, parallel to the mat and spread your scapulas wide across your back. Cross your left arm under your right, so that your right arm is on top of your left. Then, cross your wrists so your palms are facing each other. Bring your hands to touch, lift your elbows up and reach your finger to the sky. Stay here up to 30 seconds. Unleash your grip and repeat for the same amount of time on the opposite arm and leg.
#5 Bridge pose
We all know by now why Kegel exercises are important. They tone and strengthen your vagina and pelvic floor muscles as well as improve orgasms. Bridge pose is like doing a Kegel because you are squeezing the same pelvic muscles. Bridge pose also increases metabolism! It's definitely a win-win pose.How to do Bridge pose: Lie on your back with your feet hip distance apart and flat on the floor. Reach down with your fingertips and see if you can touch your heels. If not, wiggle your feet closer to your buttocks until your fingers graze the back of your heels. Press into your feet, and lift your hips up to the ceiling. Try and clasp your hands underneath you, grab your ankles or lay your palms pressing face down on the mat beside you. Draw your shoulder blades together. Hold up to 1 minute. To release from this pose, slowly lower yourself one vertebrae at a time. Come to rest on your back, separate your feet mat-width apart, and bring your knees in to touch. This will release your low back.
Thank you Yoga Journal for some great information on these poses.
