Downward dog. Bound lotus. Legs behind the head. Sphinx. Eight angle pose. Easy plow. From the sound of it, these might as well be kama sutra positions. But these are, in fact, yoga poses. While I’m not sure if the original yogis had sexy time in mind when creating these asanas, it’s been shown that incorporating them into your lovemaking can really heat things up. Don’t buy it? Here are 6 ways that yoga improves your sex life.

1. Yoga gets you in touch with your, ahem, self

Certain yoga poses focus on the “mula bandha” or root lock, which is essentially the perineum. This is the area in between your lady/man parts and anus. It’s also an area associated with the action of kegels. In certain poses, this area is activated which creates awareness, tightening, and strengthening. By becoming aware, we’re setting the foundation for increased pleasure, while tightening and strengthening can allow for better orgasms.

RELATED: The Yoga Fart: How Yoga Teaches us Persistence

2. Yoga helps you feel good in the skin you’re in

By moving through postures and focusing on breath, we create total body awareness. We begin to notice sensations and nuances within that we were previously unaware of. Plus, yoga can be a good workout that can create long and lean muscles. Gaining mastery over our body and getting into good shape makes us more comfortable in our skin. If we like the way we look and feel, we’re more confident and bold in the boudoir. It’s clear that yoga improves your sex life.

Check out: The very best yoga mats for every type of yogi

3. Yoga makes you live in the NOW

Part of yoga’s goal is to increase your ability to be present. Through breath-coordinated movement, we become focused. We only have thoughts for what is going on right now, in this moment, in our body. While it’s common for the mind to wander, we actively practice bringing it back to the task at hand. This practice of being in the now will transfer well into the bedroom, because we can truly enjoy ourselves and our partner. Rather than thinking of the laundry list of things we need to do, we can get lost in the heat of the moment.

Read More: Outdoor adventure gift buying guide

4. Yoga increases your energy levels and boosts mood

Much like running can produce a “runner’s high,” yoga has its own form of “bliss state.” Through the formula of breath and movement—aka “vinyasa”—we can reach a state of bliss, awakening or “enlightenment”. Whatever you choose to call it, this practice of intentional breath and movement can clear our minds and make us feel more alive, producing a surge of energy. This energy boost makes us feel better and improves our mood. When you’re in a good mood and feeling happy, you’re more playful. And when you’re more playful, you’re more likely to want to get it on with your hot partner. I mean, c’mon, this is a no-brainer, yoga improves your sex life.

Check this out: 6 Reasons why climbers make better lovers

5. Yoga Increases flexibility

Through repetitive stretching of muscles, we begin to create new muscle memory within our body. Previously tight and tense muscles begin to relax and loosen. Our muscles have a memory, so they tend to stay in patterns they learn. Yoga helps re-train these stubborn muscles, thereby making us more flexible. Flexibility in the bedroom is great because…do you need me to spell it out for you? Ok, for one thing it will allow you to experiment with actual kama sutra poses.

6. Yoga inspires you to get outside your comfort zone

Just making it to a yoga class can be a big first step—it’s never comfortable to try something new. But learning something new is healthy for your brain. It creates new circuits and keeps you feeling young. A typical yoga class will put you in positions you didn’t know your body could handle, and this will show you you’re more capable than you ever believed. This ability to not take yourself so seriously and push yourself outside of comfort will translate well to the bedroom. You’ll become bolder and more creative—even taking some of those kama-sutra-sounding poses (above) and turning them into actual sexy time moves.

RELATED: Check out more Humor content

 

Trust us, yoga improves your sex life. If you enjoyed this article, check out other articles like it, or you might like one of these:

• Emily’s Citrus Cashew Bliss Balls
• 10 Road trip tips to consider before quitting your job and hitting the open road
• The definitive local’s guide to Big Sur, CA
• 11 Reasons why everyone should try rock climbing
• The best outdoor nudity Instagram accounts you need to follow
• 6 Types of adventure couples we all love to hate