Social Workout

Sex Ed

More on the Pelvic Floor, the Psoas, and the Big O

Constructive Rest (Via Pilates Digest.)

Yesterday, our poll on Pilates and sex prompted healthy debate. A few key points to highlight: The general consensus suggests that exercise focus on the pelvic floor can bear very positive results for the orgasm-er; but also that those benefits do not necessarily accrue to the orgasm-ee. In any event, the discussion prompted a yoga teacher friend to email the following:

Psoas release is where it's at for the ladies.  A little something called "constructive rest" for about 10-20 minutes a day can really unlock it, and that helps everything work better.  I recommended it to one of my classes, and women were thanking me for months.  :)

Naturally, I insisted that she elaborate. Included after the jump, then, a small tutorial on "constructive rest," the importance of releasing the Psoas major muscle, and the female orgasm. 

"Constructive Rest"

Lie on your back like you would for bridge pose — feet a little further away from butt, and a little forward of knees. Some people let the knees fall together. Others strap them so they stay hip distance. Others just let them be and keep hip distance. The point is to use no effort. This is all about surrender. Hands on belly. Eyes can be closed or soft. Think of receiving the light, not looking out.

When I first started doing this, (and you need to stay past 15 minutes to see stuff happen), I could actually feel the release of muscles, feel my pelvis lose some of the anterior tilt (tight psoas pulls you into that), feel a release through my back. Wild.

For more on why it's good to release the Psoas, this lady's website is the best, I think. Her book, The Psoas Book, is what got me started on all of this. Her take on how our fight/flight reflex throughout life tenses up the Psoas is really interesting. Basically, if tension is released there, you let go of the constant low level anxiety we're always in. This helps all of the other good stuff go on - digestion, orgasm, etc.  We can do a lot of talking, thinking, etc. to let go of emotional and physical issues, but sometimes you need to go right to the body and do the work there.

As for the Pilates bit, anything that strengthens your pelvic floor should help you have orgasms (kegels, yoga too).  So it helps sex in that way - makes it more enjoyable because you're functioning properly.