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In a small preliminary study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, women ages 22 to 55 who were enrolled in a 12-week yoga program experienced improvements in several aspects of sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. For one hour a day, the women practiced 22 yoga postures (asanas) believed to have positive effects on abdominal and pelvic muscle tone, digestion, joint function, and mood. The specific asanas used in the study are listed in the chart below.
Yoga postures (asanas) |
|
|
Sanskrit name |
Also known as |
|
kapalabhati |
cleansing breath |
|
vajrasana |
diamond throne |
|
yoga mudra |
symbol of yoga |
|
marjariasana |
cat’s posture |
|
pavanmuktasana |
hanging in the air |
|
viparita karani mudra |
legs up the wall |
|
matsyasana |
fish posture |
|
halasana |
plow posture |
|
ardha matsyendrasana |
half spinal twist |
|
paschimottanasana |
back stretching posture |
|
parvatasana |
mountain posture |
|
bhujangasana |
snake posture |
|
shalabhasana |
locust posture |
|
naukasana |
boat posture |
|
dhanurasana |
bow posture |
|
bhushirasana |
preliminary headstand |
|
hamsasana |
swan posture |
|
chakrasana |
wheel posture |
|
trikonasana |
triangle posture |
|
uddiyana bandha |
abdominal lock |
|
pranayama |
breath control |
|
shavaisana |
dead posture |
|
Source: Journal of Sexual Medicine, Feb. 2010, pp. 964-970. |
|
