Namaste!
By Kristen Droesch — Written on Mar 26, 2015
It's an old joke that you should always stretch before sex, but nothing could be closer to the truth. Stretching and exercising will go a long way to improving your sex life. And what better way to combine the two than with yoga? Here we have five yoga moves to stretch you out, strengthen your body and get you ready for the big moment.
Move 1: Sat Kriya Meditation
Position yourself with your heels beneath your buttocks. Raise your arms over your head, interlocking your hands with your index fingers pointing to the ceiling. Use the chant "Sat Nam." On "Sat" pull in your bellybutton, and release on "Nam". You should focus on pulling energy into your body and releasing it peacefully, as well as lifting and lowering your pelvic floor.
Why you should try it: A form of meditation, this move strengthens core muscles as well as the perineum.
Move 2: Child's Pose
Again, begin with your heels beneath your buttocks. Your big toes should be touching, and your knees set as wide as your hips. Exhale as you lower your torso to your thighs, and move your arms either straight out of front of you (palms down) or aligned along your bent legs (palms up). Lengthen your spine from your tailbone to your neck and relax into the pose. You can hold this position for anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes.
Why you should try it: This simple but effective position relaxes you and allows you to center yourself, making for a much more enjoyable time together. Remember, the mind is the sexiest organ!
Move 3: Downward Facing Dog
Begin on your hands and knees. Lift your hips, slowly straightening your arms and legs. You should end in an inverted V position, with your heels touching the floor (but only if you can. If you feel resistance, stay on the balls of your feet). Keep your hands flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart and hold the pose for several breaths.
Why you should try it: This pose hits several important pre-coital points. It will relax the body, stretch the back and pelvis, and just generally boost your confidence (who wouldn't feel confident in such a powerful pose)?
Move 4: Lizard Pose
From Downward Facing Dog, move one leg forward into a lunge. Bring your forearms down to the floor, between your legs, and keep the opposite leg stretched back. Hold the pose for several breaths, and then switch legs. Hold for several more breaths.
Why you should try it: Lizard pose serves the dual purpose of relaxing and calming your mind, and opening the hips up gently.
Move 5: Pigeon Pose
Begin on all fours, with your knees below your hips. Slide your right leg forward, with your shin resting on the floor and your knee just behind your right wrist. Slowly slide your left leg straight back behind you. Move your right leg to position your heel before your left hip. Lower your torso to lay over your right thigh and extend your arms forward, either resting with your forearms on the floor, or all the way down with your body laid as flat as you can go (again, if you feel pain, stop and find a position that is comfortable for you).
Why you should try it: This is another great way to open up your hips and release tension (women commonly carry tension in their hips).
