The Commercialization of Yoga & Sex

As with all things good, someone at some point discovered a way or ways to distort, profit and generally work to destroy that which creates positive change or teaches individuals how to become self reliant and empowered.  February is the month most “celebrated” as the month of Eros Love or passion.  Many scramble to purchase cards, flowers, candies or other gifts to show endearment to those special relationships in our life with specific emphasis being given this month to those with whom we are physically intimate.

By now you have probably heard many times that yoga is about “union” and the union can be interpreted to be the connection with individual’s inner workings (mind / body / spirit) as well as the physical / mental / spiritual union that takes place between two individuals as they come together in the very sacred act of love making.   From yoga’s roots in India we know ancient texts have been recorded and handed down for generations to assist humanity in maximizing pleasures, including that attained from physical union with another.

The Kama Sutra is an ancient Indian Hindu text and is widely considered to be the standard work on human sexual behavior in Sanskrit literature written by Vātsyāyana. A portion of the work consists of practical advice on sexual intercourse.   It is largely in prose, with many inserted anustubh poetry verses. "Kāma" which is one of the three goals of Hindu life, means sensual or sexual pleasure, and "sūtra" literally means a thread or line that holds things together, and more metaphorically refers to an aphorism (or line, rule, formula), or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Contrary to popular perception, especially in the western world, Kama sutra is not an exclusive sex manual; it presents itself as a guide to a virtuous and gracious living that discusses the nature of love, family life and other aspects pertaining to pleasure oriented faculties of human life.[1]

Common Misconception : Kama Sutra is a Sex Manual

Kama in Sanskrit is pleasure. Not just sexual pleasure but all pleasures experienced through the senses and the emotions. The perfume of a rose, the taste of a well cooked dish, the touch of silk on the skin, music, the voice of a great singer, the joy of a spring morning, all these are experiences of kama. Kama Sutra could properly be translated as “Aphorisms on Pleasure”.

Of the Kama Sutra’s seven books, only one deals with physical lovemaking. Of that book’s ten chapters, only one deals with sexual positions. One chapter out of thirty-six. [2]    Sexual energy is the most powerful energy in the body; it creates life.  While some other yogic traditions recommend renunciation of sexual energy, Kundalini Yoga embraces it.  Techniques in Kundalini Yoga are designed to channel sexual energy up the spine, through pranayama, asana and meditation, to where it can be used for spiritual development. [3]   

Of course, the other chapters are not nearly as “hot & steamy” as this one and we know what sells in our society – sex!  The reason it is so popular, beyond its immediate physiological effects go beyond our reasoning comprehensible mind and tickle some part that has possibly been dormant and is ready to awaken.   

Yoga is a complete science that addresses all aspects of living and provides solutions that are natural and attainable in most cases.  As the individual deepens their yoga practice they become in tune with “self” while working their way through a road map to a healthy and blissful life.   We should already know by now that there are those amongst us who have learned how to “see and manipulate humanity” by  having the understanding of how to create, profit, manipulate or abuse us with and without our consent.

For some,  Yoga begins the inner workings of a person to “awaken” and demand acknowledgement.  Through the spirit & science of yoga an individual can learn how to navigate through life using principles that may not be quantifiably proven by Western Medicine, but it can and should not be ignored as a supplement or alternative therapy when we want to  take responsibility for all aspects of our adventure.

The yoga postures (asanas) have the distinct benefit of not only help manage pain, increase flexibility,  also allow more oxygen flowing through the body,  deter mental degenerative diseases and by golly it also does increase sexual pleasure.   Psychology Today says, “ The quiet moments and mediation that Yoga teaches has also been found to reduce anxiety/stress or elevates mood improves sexual function by aiding the deep relaxation fundamental to lovemaking. Yoga is deeply relaxing. Indian researchers assessed anxiety in 50 medical students, who then began practicing yoga. Their anxiety levels plummeted. Other studies show that yoga reduces levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, and elevates mood. Palo Alto, California, sex therapist Marty Klein, Ph.D, recommends yoga. "Stress contributes to sex problems and sex problems cause stress. This can become a vicious cycle. Yoga reduces anxiety, so it enhances sex and helps prevent and treat sex problems." [4]

 This Yogini does not consider that is a bad thing!

Kama Sutra Chapter 01

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAiJO_LNEw8

^[1]    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_Sutra

 ^[2] http://indrasinha.com/books/kama-sutra/  

^[3] http://www.spiritvoyage.com/blog/index.php/yoga-for-sex/

^[4] http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201007/want-bette...

Images

Pg. 2  http://www.commonsensekundalini.com/science_spirituality/kundalini_...

Other Side Resources:

http://www.spaceandmotion.com/kama-sutra-fellatio.htm

http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/kama/

http://indrasinha.com/books/kama-sutra/

tags:

omtimesmagazine, sacredspacestudio, humanityheailng, wellness, holistic, responsible, createchange, dezengodesigns, namaspirittn, love, love, the commercializationofyoga, sex, kamasutra, passion, kundalini, sexualenergy, balance