If you create a Venn diagram with the word “sex” on one side and “yoga” on the other, you might find some overlaps: there's deep breathing, pretzel-y positions, Tantric roots.
In fact, a quick Google search of “sex and yoga” will pull up hundreds of tips for incorporating yoga into sex, and vice versa. You’ll find a YouTube video of Christopher Gladwell, the author of Engaged Yoga, explaining how we can use yoga strategies like asana and meditation to open up our bodies "bliss lines." He opines that this can help you go "from a genital orgasm" to a "whole-body orgasm," even a whole-cosmos orgasm." Sounds intriguing and fun, right? Who doesn't want an orgasm so strong it can be felt from their fingertips into the cosmos?
Traditionally and historically, however, yoga and sex have very little to do with each other, according to David Gordon White, the author of Kiss of the Yogini: "Tantric Sex" in its South Asian Contexts. There are a few X-rated, ancient connections, but they're fairly scant — and when they do exist, they don't resemble Gladwell's method at all.
"A couple of medieval yogic texts refer to a practice called vajroli mudra, in which following sex, the male partner draws his semen back into his penis,” Gordon White writes in an email. “The assumption appears to be that by controlling his breaths yogically, he can use his penis as if it were a vacuum cleaner. He not only draws back his semen, but also some of his partner's sexual emission (and/or menstrual blood), which is considered to be essential to male practitioners because the female emission contains a divine essence that males do not naturally possess… But that's about it in terms of any authentic (or pre-1960s) connection between yoga and sex.”
While that particular move may not be of interest, yoga and sex can be brought together in a modern, inclusive, fun, and incredibly pleasurable way. Enter: sex positions that incorporate yoga. Here are a few of our favourites that'll help you get your bliss on.
Plow Pose
This one is a little trickier. The position is meant to stretch your spine in yoga, but can allow for really profound penetration during sex.
Begin by lying on your back with your legs in the air and your arms palm-down on the bed. Next, use your abs to lift up your hips and legs up towards the sky. Make your torso perpendicular to the bed, then straighten your legs while lowering them to the end of your comforter. Have your partner penetrate you from above in a standing or kneeling position. This move will allow them to go extra deep, so get ready for all the feels. Just be careful of your back, and don't do anything that hurts.
Three-legged dog
This one takes a bit of flexibility. Start in a downward dog position. Lift one leg towards the ceiling, and have your partner stand behind you, penetrating you with a penis, strap-on, or vibrator. You can use their shoulder to balance the lifted foot if needed.
For a modified version of this, have your partner kneel behind you and perform oral sex while you're in the position.
Cobra
Start by lying on your stomach, and press your legs, thighs, and feet into the floor. Keep your legs spread apart further than you normally would in the traditional pose — this gives you partner room to get on top and enter you from behind, hitting your G spot. Press you hands into the bed and press your torso up to the ceiling, doing a baby back bend. Ask them to kiss your neck as you lean your head back in this move.
Shavasana
There's nothing like a relaxing Shavasana after a long sweat session. This pose allows you to stay in a more relaxed position. Lie on your back with your hands at your side. Let your partner get on top. In yoga class, teachers will often tell you to bring awareness to your body and focus on different sensations when you come to this pose. Not a bad idea here, either.
Shavasana's nickname is "corpse pose," but, trust us, you'll feel very alive after this.