You already know yoga can give you greater flexibility, better muscle tone, a surefire way to release stress, and maybe even enlightenment. But better sex? Really? You betcha. Yoga offers myriad physical and emotional benefits that add up to more fun between the sheets and a more fulfilling, meaningful sexual relationship with your partner.

Whether heating up your sex life is the main goal of your yoga practice or just a happy side effect, chalk this information up as yet another great reason to roll out the mat. Here are the major ways it works:

On a more subtle level, yoga helps you develop an awareness of sensations in your body. Learning to feel the weight rolling into the inside edges of your palms in downward dog, for example, teaches you to savor every sensation in your body — including the really delicious ones that happen during sex. It also helps keep you rooted in your body and out of your head, where your swirling thoughts can keep you from enjoying the experience at hand, whether it’s in class, out with friends or between the sheets.

Confidence

A recent study shows that people who practice yoga gain less weight as they age than people who don’t do yoga at all. And while feeling more fit is an undeniable turn-on, a sustained yoga practice also encourages you to develop a reverence for your body.

Energy

Raise your hand if you’ve ever dozed off during sex, or felt the stirrings of arousal but were so tired you opted for bed instead. According to a recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation, a full third of women say tiredness causes them to cut back on sex. And a 2004 clinical study at Harvard Medical School showed that just eight weeks of a simple at-home yoga practice significantly improved sleep quality for the toughest audience — chronic insomniacs. It’s a simple exercise to connect the dots — practice yoga, sleep better, have more sex.

Intimacy

Yoga’s effects transcend the physical. It helps us become more comfortable in vulnerable positions — whether it’s a full backbend during class or a heart-to-heart conversation in bed at night.

Better Orgasms

On a purely physical level, many yoga poses — such as upavista konasana, or wide-legged straddle pose — increase blood flow to the pelvis. In our sedentary world, the muscles that run through the pelvis are chronically constricted. Another crucial aspect of yoga involves engaging and drawing up the muscles of the pelvic floor (known in Sanskrit as mula bandha, or root lock), which strengthens the muscles that play an integral role in orgasm.

Specific Poses

Here are two of the many yoga poses that can help boost your enjoyment in the boudoir:

Upavista Konasana (Wide Straddle Forward Bend)

How to do it: Sit on the floor with your legs wide. Leg muscles are activated and toes and kneecaps point straight up. Lean your torso forward as far as it goes comfortably. Hold for  5 to 10 deep breaths.

Sexual Benefits: Increases blood flow (and thus sensation) in the pelvis.

Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose, also known as Cobbler’s Pose)

How to do it: Sit with your knees bent and soles of the feet touching. Lightly hold your big toes and lean your torso forward over your legs (back is gently rounded). Hold for 5  to 10 deep breaths.

Sexual benefits: Alleviates urinary and uterine disorders. Strengthens the uterus. Eases irritability, anxiety and fatigue, three reasons we might choose not to have sex.

       

(NaturalNews) Go ahead and trade in all your scented candles, lacy red nighties and silk sheets for the latest gadget that will ramp up your sex life: a yoga mat. The exercise we often connect to meditation and inner enlightenment is also linked to improved bedtime fun. A study published in the December 2008 edition of The Journal of Sexual Medicine showed women who were not satisfied with their sex life experienced heightened arousal and better orgasms when they practiced yoga. And this isn’t just for ladies: another study published in the same journal in 2007 showed yoga was the most effective solution for men dealing with premature ejaculation in comparison to Prozac and non-prescription drugs.

So, how does this understated activity lead to better sex? Here are the top five benefits your sex life can take away from yoga:

1. Heightened Awareness and Concentration

Yoga teaches people to be more aware of their breathing and their bodies while letting go of mental distractions. This translates directly to better sex. When you’re able to concentrate on what your body is feeling instead of a sink full of dirty dishes, for instance, you can undeniably enjoy sexual activities much more.

2. Greater Flexibility and Strength

Nothing can bring more fun to the bed than a body that’s ready to rock. Yoga is an excellent fitness tool that not only conditions and strengthens the muscles, but also improves your flexibility range and joint health. Just imagine all the daring positions you can try out after a few weeks of yoga practice! Improving your muscle strength and fitness level will raise your energy and stamina during sex, too.

3. A New Kind of Foreplay

If your partner is up to it, add in several minutes of couples yoga before sex as a kind of foreplay. A few yoga moves can relax your nerves and get your circulation going: just what you need to get you in the mood after a long day. Plus, practicing yoga together helps you connect in a new way.

4. Acceptance and Confidence

One of the priceless benefits yoga offers is a new sense of confidence in one’s self. Yoga promotes being aware of your body and accepting it. When you realize what you appreciate about yourself, it gives you the freedom to offer more in the bedroom. Sexual confidence is incredibly freeing and can really open the door to better sex.

5. An Awesome Finale

Well, it all adds up to one thing: better orgasms. Between improved circulation, heightened awareness and more energy, you are primed for a great climax. Plus, positions that strengthen your pelvic core can give your orgasms a definite “wow” factor.

Okay, so maybe you don’t exactly want to throw out your sexy lingerie, but yoga is certainly a great way to spice things up in the bedroom in addition to its health benefits. Better sex is just one more (very fun) reason to appreciate this amazing form of exercise.

       

The Yoga Ball, also called a Fitness Ball or exercise ball, is another tool that will help you get the most out of your Yoga practice. Yoga Balls are usually made from durable vinyl and these come in different sizes - from 30 to 85 cm in diameter.

The use of a ball in Yoga combines the ancient practice and modern technique to create a workout that will improve stability, strength, and overall condition of a person. Doing different poses with a Yoga Ball enhances the Yoga practice and lets you create a total body workout since it allows you to engage in several muscle groups simultaneously. The Yoga Ball can provide the support you need when doing certain Yoga Poses such as Backbends and restorative postures. It also serves as an excellent cushioning base so you will feel comfortable during the stretching exercises.

Another good thing about the Yoga Ball is its versatility. It can be used not only in Yoga practice but also in training programs, Fitness workout, and Pilates. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can use a Yoga Ball to tone your muscles, maintain balance, and improve flexibility and strength.

The size of the Yoga Ball that you can use generally depends on your height. Choose the Yoga Ball that lets you to sit down on it with your feet flat on the floor and with knees bent at a 90-degree angle.

Get more out of your Yoga sessions by using a Yoga Ball. It is an effective and versatile tool that will turn Yoga into a more effective and fun activity that can be done by people of all ages.