Yoga or Viagra?
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IT goes by many descriptions: a lift off, getting a flag ceremony, awakening the one-eyed monster, and so on. To be sure, an erection by any other name.
Long the pre-occupation of men especially as they grow older, that centerfold of masculinity took centerstage in March 1998 when Viagra made its debut in the world. Aimed primarily at men over 50 who have erectile dysfunction (ED), Viagra became the wonder drug of the hour as sales went through the roof. Within three months of its introduction, more than two million prescriptions were being written out for the $10 blue pill in the United States. It was an indication that many men, not prone to openly discussing mature sexuality issues (or any emotional issue for that matter), had a problem and wanted an immediate solution.
Viagra also focused on the nature of the problem.
Erectile Dysfunction is the partial or total inability to produce an erection or to sustain one hard or long enough to complete intercourse. Men tend to stop at “I can’t get it up.”
Men need to know that the penis does two things: it releases urine and it releases sperm and seminal fluid. The latter case involves a three-step process:
(1) man is sexually aroused;
(2) the penis responds by becoming erect; and
(3) sustained penile stimulation leads to ejaculation.
It is sufficient blood flow to the arteries in the penis that allows the organ to get stiff. ED, at whatever age, is an indication that blood isn’t flowing into the right arteries (i.e. step 2 becomes problematic, thus making step 3 impossible). In many cases, something is wrong with the pipes (arteries), and in far fewer cases, with the pump (heart). Viagra facilitates the opening of constricted arteries to allow the penis to become erect.
This said, men also need to know that plumbing issues aside, ED can also be caused by a number of other factors (see “It’s not her, it’s you,” page 6). In general, ED is a tell-tale sign that a man’s overall health is not the best. ED is only one symptom of a likely larger health issue, and a re-examination of one’s lifestyle is in order. This means proper nutrition and exercise. It’s not as quick a fix as vitamin V, but its effects are far more encompassing.
Enter stage left, yoga. It’s been around for millennia, and it’s been ascribed as having cured a whole slew of ailments and diseases from cancer to varicose veins. Is it a wonder, then, that it has something for ED as well?
The thing about yoga is that men are generally scared of it. One, it attracts far too many women so the perception is it’s definitely not manly enough and can’t be good for men. Two, men don’t like to look stupid (doing all those pretzel poses), so yoga for most of them is out of the question. Three, men like things easy, and since yoga is anything but, men’s excuses range from “I’m too old,” “I’m not flexible enough” or “I’m too busy” to justify their reluctance to even consider the idea of doing yoga.
Sigh. Guys, it’s not that bad really.
The first thing you have to remember about yoga is that it teaches you to relax. Remember how it was when you were working long hours, had bills to pay on your mind and crawled home through traffic to your wife leaning against the doorway in a skimpy outfit asking “What’s up?” And all you could say was, “Nothing much.” Ouch! Stress kills sex and your ability to have it.
Learning to breathe properly in yoga allows you to create space. By pushing back all the things that are fighting for attention in your mind, yoga actually helps clear your mind. Then it moves on to relaxing your body and your aching muscles. All of a sudden, feelings of calmness and serenity surround your body. Now you can show your wife what’s up!
Second, yoga helps you become more aware. The discipline of yoga, with its system of breathing and postures, helps you tune in to your body. You become alert to how both your mind and your breath react to changes in movement. This also applies to heightened awareness for subtle signs that your partner gives during sex. Sex is very much a mental ability. Any guesses on its outcome if you combine enhanced sensitivity for your partner and for yourself and ability to focus? A happy partner for one!
Postures for ED
In terms of muscular functionality, yoga allows you to comprehensively strengthen whole muscle groups, improve your cardiovascular conditioning and increase blood circulation at the same time. For those with ED, particularly helpful are postures that strengthen the core abs, the lower back and leg muscles while bringing circulation to the groin areas.
One such pose is the warrior pose. The wide stance helps to open up your hip and pelvic muscles while strengthening your leg muscles. Your core is engaged to keep your spine centered and your arms energetic. Upon release, circulation in the groin area increases as you come into a relaxed standing position.
In the eagle pose, the position of the legs makes it difficult for blood to circulate in the lower extremities. But by wrapping your limbs around each other, you are encouraging the major joints of the body to produce synovial fluid in the joints to maintain range of motion. Leg muscles are used for balance while your core and lower back keep your torso lifted and the posture stable. For guys, releasing this posture is a reward in itself.
The goal of the wind removing pose is to create pressure between the thigh and the abdominal area. While aimed at the systems of digestion and elimination, it also opens up the pelvic area and engages your core. Increased post-posture circulation in the groin is again a benefit.
Other postures that are helpful are the sun salutation, chair pose and cobra pose which all work on your core and back muscles. Also consider Kegel exercises—contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor (or that help guys urinate)—which allow you greater control of those muscles to prevent premature ejaculation.
Do these postures regularly and it can change your ED-ridden life. Assuming you do, you not only address any ED problems you may have, but you also take on a truckload of other benefits without the possible side effects of vitamin V. From a greatly reduced chance of having a heart disease and better ability to keep away stress to a trimmer, more responsive body and more vibrant over-all health, yoga trumps the competition. In short, guys, it’s time to dump the quick fix and take on yoga. You’ll find your partner and yourself smiling at whatever time of the day!
Long the pre-occupation of men especially as they grow older, that centerfold of masculinity took centerstage in March 1998 when Viagra made its debut in the world. Aimed primarily at men over 50 who have erectile dysfunction (ED), Viagra became the wonder drug of the hour as sales went through the roof. Within three months of its introduction, more than two million prescriptions were being written out for the $10 blue pill in the United States. It was an indication that many men, not prone to openly discussing mature sexuality issues (or any emotional issue for that matter), had a problem and wanted an immediate solution.
Viagra also focused on the nature of the problem.
Erectile Dysfunction is the partial or total inability to produce an erection or to sustain one hard or long enough to complete intercourse. Men tend to stop at “I can’t get it up.”
Men need to know that the penis does two things: it releases urine and it releases sperm and seminal fluid. The latter case involves a three-step process:
(1) man is sexually aroused;
(2) the penis responds by becoming erect; and
(3) sustained penile stimulation leads to ejaculation.
It is sufficient blood flow to the arteries in the penis that allows the organ to get stiff. ED, at whatever age, is an indication that blood isn’t flowing into the right arteries (i.e. step 2 becomes problematic, thus making step 3 impossible). In many cases, something is wrong with the pipes (arteries), and in far fewer cases, with the pump (heart). Viagra facilitates the opening of constricted arteries to allow the penis to become erect.
This said, men also need to know that plumbing issues aside, ED can also be caused by a number of other factors (see “It’s not her, it’s you,” page 6). In general, ED is a tell-tale sign that a man’s overall health is not the best. ED is only one symptom of a likely larger health issue, and a re-examination of one’s lifestyle is in order. This means proper nutrition and exercise. It’s not as quick a fix as vitamin V, but its effects are far more encompassing.
Enter stage left, yoga. It’s been around for millennia, and it’s been ascribed as having cured a whole slew of ailments and diseases from cancer to varicose veins. Is it a wonder, then, that it has something for ED as well?
The thing about yoga is that men are generally scared of it. One, it attracts far too many women so the perception is it’s definitely not manly enough and can’t be good for men. Two, men don’t like to look stupid (doing all those pretzel poses), so yoga for most of them is out of the question. Three, men like things easy, and since yoga is anything but, men’s excuses range from “I’m too old,” “I’m not flexible enough” or “I’m too busy” to justify their reluctance to even consider the idea of doing yoga.
Sigh. Guys, it’s not that bad really.
The first thing you have to remember about yoga is that it teaches you to relax. Remember how it was when you were working long hours, had bills to pay on your mind and crawled home through traffic to your wife leaning against the doorway in a skimpy outfit asking “What’s up?” And all you could say was, “Nothing much.” Ouch! Stress kills sex and your ability to have it.
Learning to breathe properly in yoga allows you to create space. By pushing back all the things that are fighting for attention in your mind, yoga actually helps clear your mind. Then it moves on to relaxing your body and your aching muscles. All of a sudden, feelings of calmness and serenity surround your body. Now you can show your wife what’s up!
Second, yoga helps you become more aware. The discipline of yoga, with its system of breathing and postures, helps you tune in to your body. You become alert to how both your mind and your breath react to changes in movement. This also applies to heightened awareness for subtle signs that your partner gives during sex. Sex is very much a mental ability. Any guesses on its outcome if you combine enhanced sensitivity for your partner and for yourself and ability to focus? A happy partner for one!
Postures for ED
In terms of muscular functionality, yoga allows you to comprehensively strengthen whole muscle groups, improve your cardiovascular conditioning and increase blood circulation at the same time. For those with ED, particularly helpful are postures that strengthen the core abs, the lower back and leg muscles while bringing circulation to the groin areas.
One such pose is the warrior pose. The wide stance helps to open up your hip and pelvic muscles while strengthening your leg muscles. Your core is engaged to keep your spine centered and your arms energetic. Upon release, circulation in the groin area increases as you come into a relaxed standing position.
In the eagle pose, the position of the legs makes it difficult for blood to circulate in the lower extremities. But by wrapping your limbs around each other, you are encouraging the major joints of the body to produce synovial fluid in the joints to maintain range of motion. Leg muscles are used for balance while your core and lower back keep your torso lifted and the posture stable. For guys, releasing this posture is a reward in itself.
The goal of the wind removing pose is to create pressure between the thigh and the abdominal area. While aimed at the systems of digestion and elimination, it also opens up the pelvic area and engages your core. Increased post-posture circulation in the groin is again a benefit.
Other postures that are helpful are the sun salutation, chair pose and cobra pose which all work on your core and back muscles. Also consider Kegel exercises—contracting and relaxing the muscles that form part of the pelvic floor (or that help guys urinate)—which allow you greater control of those muscles to prevent premature ejaculation.
Do these postures regularly and it can change your ED-ridden life. Assuming you do, you not only address any ED problems you may have, but you also take on a truckload of other benefits without the possible side effects of vitamin V. From a greatly reduced chance of having a heart disease and better ability to keep away stress to a trimmer, more responsive body and more vibrant over-all health, yoga trumps the competition. In short, guys, it’s time to dump the quick fix and take on yoga. You’ll find your partner and yourself smiling at whatever time of the day!
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