Yep, sensual yoga is a thing – and it can actually open up a whole new world of pleasure.
There are plenty of yoga styles out there, each with its own purpose. You’ve got poses for relaxation, anxiety and even desk movements to help you unwind after a long day at the office. And now, there’s another style to add to the mix: sensual yoga.
Sensual yoga is a lot like regular yoga but with a twist. While the practice focuses on being present and using your senses, it also encourages connections with your body that arouse pleasure and gratification.
Instead of focusing only on typical poses and practices, sensual yoga hones in on the sacral chakra, which governs how you manifest and experience desire, emotions and sexuality. “In sensual yoga, we prioritize poses that tap into our pleasure, our energetic seat of creative potential, movement and pleasure,” Patrick Ferreri, a certified yoga instructor and group fitness business manager for Crunch Fitness tells The Zoe Report. “We ask: ‘Where does pleasure live in me? How can I unlock my joy? What supports the flow of pleasure and joy through me?’”
The goal of this particular yoga method is to create a safe space for exploration and self-discovery to increase delight and satisfaction. It’s where we ask ourselves to consider what encourages euphoria and delectation to flow effortlessly and how fulfillment resides within us. Doing so allows our bodies to remain open and our minds to tune in to our sensory responses.
What are the benefits of Sensual Yoga?
The benefits of practicing sensual yoga are many, explains Joy Berkheimer, Ph.D., a clinical sexologist and trauma-informed sensual yoga teacher in a recent interview. She says, in addition to increased self-assurance, especially as it relates to your body – how it looks, moves, and feels – sensual yoga can also help you feel more comfortable and at ease. It helps to release stored emotions and increase awareness of how you feel physically and mentally in different environments. “This process can be a powerful way to give your body back to yourself, especially if you sometimes feel that your actions, choices, work, and body are always in service to others.”
And, of course, sensual yoga also increases your ability to receive pleasure from yourself and others. Dr. Berkheimer describes it as “a dance towards erotic embodiment and connection with partners.” In other words, it’s a practice of embodying your sensual energy and being empowered by it.
How to Practice Sensual Yoga
According to Dr. Berkheimer, sensual yoga is mostly about the attitude you have towards the poses, rather than the poses themselves. So when you’re doing your practice, try to take it slow and really concentrate on being present in the moment.
Below are five easy ways Dr. Berkheimer says you can practice. The objective is to place the mind-body connection first, so pay attention to how your body feels and any emotions that come up.
Child’s Pose
The child’s pose is a classic yoga position that can tap into your sensual side because it helps you to feel safe and in control of your own space. To do it, kneel and sit on your knees, keeping them slightly apart. Lean forward and fold your arms in front of you on the floor. Rest your forehead on your arms as you take slow and deep breaths while holding the positions for longer periods of time. This allows you to fully experience and interpret your body’s reactions.
Eye Gazing
This is a fantastic sensual yoga practice that you can do alone or with someone else. If you’re doing it solo, find a spot in front of a mirror. Start by connecting with the ground beneath you. Put one hand on your heart and the other on your lower belly. Take slow breaths as you gaze into your own eyes. Keep it up for a few minutes.
If you want to do this practice with a partner, just follow the same steps. The only difference is that instead of looking at yourself in the mirror, you’ll be looking into each other’s eyes. It’s a beautiful way to connect and deepen your practice together.
Downward Dog
Downward dog is not only sensual, but it also helps you connect to your physical body in the present moment by creating a sense of trust, openness, and freedom.
To get into the pose, start by coming to a tabletop position with your hands shoulder-width apart and fingers spread wide. As you exhale, curl your toes under and lift your knees off the floor, forming an inverted “V” shape. Remember to lengthen your spine, engage your core, and straighten your legs.
Hold the pose for about 30 seconds to a minute, and then gently return to your hands and knees.
Bow Pose
The bow pose is a great way to activate and balance your heart chakra, which channels love, acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness. It can really make you feel more lighthearted, loving, kind, and accepting.
To get started, lie down on your stomach with your legs hip-width apart and your forehead on the mat. Bend your knees and reach your hands back from the outside to grab your feet. Then, lift your legs and chest off the mat. Hold the pose for three to five deep breaths and then release.
Grab a Partner
For this sensual yoga partner exercise, it’s important to work with someone you trust. Start by sitting on the ground, back to back, with your legs extended in front of you. Make sure your toes are facing the sky and your knees are comfortably bent. Lean into each other, connecting your sacrum bones and shoulders. Tent your fingers by your hips and take a deep breath in as you lift taller. Allow your upper arm bones to rotate out, exposing your heart.
As you do this, you’ll begin to gently fold forward over your extended legs. Your partner will lean back, providing gentle pressure to your stretch. Let your body relax, open up, and expand into the front space. Take a few deep breaths in this position, trying to sync your inhales and exhales with your partner’s breath.
When you’re ready, return to the starting position and repeat the exercise. This time, it’s your partner’s turn to fold forward while you lean back. You can continue this flow for as long as you like, enjoying the connection and the stretch.
The Final Takeaway
If you’re looking for a yoga practice that goes beyond the traditional and embraces a little self-gratification, the experts say sensual yoga could be just what you need.
Give it a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised with the results.
