Yoga. If you're not into it then that word may bring up images of super flexible models showing off impossibly perfect physiques on social media. Expensive classes and difficult poses that you would have no hope of getting into. That's certainly how I felt before I started!

I have never been a particularly sporty or flexible person. I'm not a gym bunny and I certainly would be the last person to go out jogging. I much prefer activities like dancing, walking and a generally active lifestyle over enforced sport sessions. But yoga is one thing I now come back to and make time for as often as I can. The benefits I can feel from even just 10 minutes of gentle stretching and moving are huge and inspire me to make time for a regular practice in a way that I would never make time for the gym or circuit training. And the best thing about it? You can do it by yourself, at home with next to no equipment required. 

If you are already into yoga then you'll have felt the way that it can bring you into a beautiful awareness of the present moment in your body. Another activity that is best experienced with the same full awareness is sex, so a regular yoga practice can definitely improve both your libido and sex life. Yoga is renowned for reducing stress, will improve your flexibility and teach you how to listen to your body. It can also help you to learn how to stay in charge of your mind as well as doing wonders for your body image and self esteem. I can personally attest to all of these things and also can assure you that I am by no means a bendy yogi. I have learnt that practice makes progress and that the only goal is to show up to your practice as often as you can.

Stress reduction, more flexibility and improved self esteem? It's not hard to see how these benefits can also improve your sex life.

Yoga with your partner can strengthen your bond and improve your relationship...

If you are coupled up then doing yoga with your partner can be beautifully beneficial to your connection together. Learning a new activity with your partner can increase your relationship quality and also attraction between the two of you. Yoga is an incredibly mindful activity, which will only have a positive impact. Because yoga is so good for reducing stress, a regular practice will allow you both to approach life from a happier and calmer perspective. 

In a couples yoga session the poses will require the participants to lean and rely on each other, providing them with a form of non sexual touch which can sometimes be missing in relationships, especially if you have been together for a while. Touch that teaches trust and vulnerability, touch that teaches support. 

When moving through a flow sequence in yoga the movements are matched to the breath. For couples, this coordination can act in the same way as eye gazing and breathing together, it breeds empathy and connection between you.

Yoga leads to better sex, for both men and women.

For women, a 2009 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine showed that after 12 weeks of yoga, the sexual functions of the participants was improved, especially in those women over 45 years of age. They measured the responses of women before and after the 12 weeks of yoga practice in 6 areas - desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain, and concluded that yoga is an effective way to improve all domains of sexual function in women.  A 2010 study on men found similar results - desire, performance, erection and ejaculation control were all improved.

More than enough reasons to start a regular practice! You don't need to do it nude as gorgeous Julia Roca does in these pics, but if you're at home or you have a private outdoor area, why not...

I'd love to know your thoughts, leave a comment or check out the JoyBear Twitter and Instagram accounts. Look out for my upcoming posts on simple poses that are particularly good for self confidence and sex drive.

Stay safe. Have fun. Issy x