When your love life goes from sizzle to fizzle, it takes its toll on your emotional health and wellbeing. After all, nothing gives you a confidence boost like a good romp between the sheets, so how can you get things heated up again? According to a new study, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, taking up yoga and practicing mindfulness techniques helps sexually dissatisfied women to experience better orgasms, arousal and desire. So, if you could set aside 10 minutes, three times a week, to do a few poses, your sex life could go from rubbish to racy in no time at all. Check out the libido-boosting poses in a bit more detail below, and look online for more information about how it’s done.
1. Upavistha Konasana: This is known as the wide-legged straddle pose and, as yoga instructor Kate Hanley, author of The Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide, explains, ‘This move is good for low libido. It improves blood flow to the pelvic area, and where the blood goes, so do energy and vitality.’ Getting good circulation below-the-belt is directly connected to arousal; the more blood in your pelvic area, the more you feel like using it!
2. Salamba Sarvangasana: Gravity does more to your wellness than making your skin sag; it also makes the circulation in the lower half of your body more sluggish. However, this upside-down shoulder stand can help you beat the Earth’s downward pull. Hanley notes, ‘It relieves fatigue, calms the mind, lessens symptoms of depression and anxiety, and eases digestive problems,’ all of which can impact your sex life.
3. Balasana: Also known as the Child’s pose, the Balasana is really relaxing and can help your mind and body become in sync. ‘Many women are so in their head that they can’t get into their body,’ says yoga instructor Ellen Barrett, author of Sexy Yoga. ‘Everything that helps you to be in the moment is going to help you be more sensual.’
4. Utthan Pristhasana: The key to this position, also known as the Lizard pose, is taking long, deep breaths. Yoga instructor Tara Stiles, author of Slim Calm Sexy Yoga, comments, ‘Lizard is a great way to ease the hips open and calm the mind. When your attention is focused on your breath instead of your thoughts, you are brought right into the moment, which helps for all sort of things, including time in between the sheets.’
5. Supta Baddha Konasana: Hanley recommends this “Goddess Pose” for PMS and menopause sufferers, as both of these lady ailments can make you feel as sexy as Ed Balls. She notes that not only does this pose promote a more healthy function in your reproductive organs, ‘it teaches you how to get comfortable with being vulnerable, which true, mind-blowing intimacy requires.’
6. Eka Pada Rajakapotasana: Although the “Pigeon Pose” may not sound sexy, Stiles asserts that it ‘is the best way to release deep tension in the hips and put the mind in total chill mode.’ While guys store their tension in their shoulders, we girls tend to hang onto it in the hip area, and so this pose can help to relive your tightness and restore flexibility where you need it most.
7. Adho Mukha Svanasana: More popularly known as the Downward Dog, this pose is both relaxing and energising. Hanley notes, ‘Downward dog calms the mind and invigorates the body, both important ingredients in good sex. You can almost feel the tension sliding off your back when you do this pose. Plus, you’ve got your butt up in the air, which is about as “come hither” as it gets!’
