Health Benefits of Yoga

September is National Yoga Month and in celebration I thought it perfectly fitting to give a special healthy salute to yoga and all the ways it benefits our body, mind and even our libidos. Yes ladies and gentleman, yoga is more than a path to Zen and improved flexibility. In fact, yoga can be a path to the “big O,” too! Simply put, a healthy dose of yoga on a regular basis is a great recipe for a healthy body and an awesome sex life. Now let’s kick things off with a few ways yoga can provide some nice sexual healin’:

1. Yoga can improve sexual stamina.

Yoga is a wonderful total body workout that works and stretches countless muscles in your body, which means from just a visual standpoint, your body will look firm, toned and incredibly hot. But, here’s the real perk: Soon you (and your partner) will also pleasantly discover that in bed you’ll now have the physical endurance of the Energizer Bunny and a body primed for incredible sexual stamina.

2. Yoga can intensify arousal and enhance orgasm.

Studies have found that yoga can improve the sex lives of both men and women due to the fact that certain poses and breathing techniques increase blood flow to the pelvic region, which then works to heighten genital sensitivity. In addition, there are countless yoga poses that can help improve flexibility and mental tranquility over time, which can then promote greater sexual stamina and more intense orgasm.

3. Yoga can help you fight food cravings.

For all the emotional eaters out there, here’s a very good bit of news to chew on:

A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that yoga may be a formidable ally in the war on emotional and mindless eating, due to its ability to strengthen the mind-body connection.

In other words, yoga enables you to truly listen to your body so that if or when you do experience stress or emotional sensations associated with food cravings, you’ll be better able to re-focus and ultimately make better choices when stress and food cravings strike.

4. Yoga can improve digestion.

Remember how great you felt after a really good massage? Well, your digestive system feels pretty much the same after performing certain yoga postures! In addition, there are many simple yoga postures, such as twists, that can help “massage” your body’s digestive system and soothe uncomfortable ailments like indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, pain or constipation. Conclusion: Practicing yoga regularly can help lead to a very happy belly and colon.

5. Yoga can boost brain power.

It’s really a no-brainer (*pun intended*) that regular exercise can be a great brain booster. That said, a study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that just 20 minutes of yoga can stimulate brain function more than walking or jogging for the same amount of time. And it doesn’t stop there — research has also shown that yoga can help relieve migraines.

6. Yoga can strengthen your immune system.

When it comes to yoga, stress-busting, and your immune system, the effect is pretty straightforward and here’s how it works: With yoga as you learn to breathe deeper, you’ll help get more oxygen-rich blood to the lungs and other organs, your body’s natural defenses will become stronger, your overall level of stress will decrease, and you’ll give your immune system a nice boost — all while you’re laying comfortably on your yoga mat!

7. Yoga can give you a boost in height.

Yep, it’s true! There are certain poses which can help decompress the spine and vertebral discs. In fact, Antigravity Yoga is a special form of yoga practice which focuses on zero-compression inversions while you hang upside down from a silk hammock. End result: Your body decompresses, both figuratively and literally, while also extending in length and some people have reported a vertical boost of up to half an inch!

Dr. Phoenyx Austin, M.D. is a certified Sports Medicine Specialist, bestselling author, and the creator of women’s FitBeauty products for healthy hair and fit body. Find Dr. Phoenyx on her website, YouTube channel, and follow her TeamFitBeauty Instagram page for natural hair and healthy living inspiration.