“I feel like I’m shooting rainbows out of my vagina!” What do you think might inspire someone to exclaim this in public?
No, not me, sadly, but Carrie Borzillo, who took up orgasmic yoga, a mindful erotic practice I discussed with sexologist and sexological bodyworker, Dr. Victoria Reuveni, aka Dr. V, on Girl Boner Radio recently.
In a 2016 SELF Magazine article, Borzillo wrote that orgasmic yoga helped her regain her sexual mojo after a period of not prioritizing sex and body insecurities resulted in low sex drive. The 90-minute OYoga class involved breathing exercises, pelvic moves and Kegels, all inspired by ancient Shakti yoga and performed fully clothed.
Dr. V’s orgasmic yoga classes in Los Angeles vary in significant ways, but are just as genital-rainbow conducive. While she, too, encourages breath and sensory bodywork, there’s no structure in terms of specific poses or genital focus. No specific yogi-type skills are required. Clothing isn’t either.
And while Borzillo didn’t mention any mid-class climaxes, some folks do experience orgasms in Reuveni’s classes, where everything from sexual sounds and clothes you feel cozy in to sex toys are welcome. Regardless of which type of orgasmic yoga you engage in, there’s no question that mindfulness, breathing exercises, and focused erotic intention can bolster sexual self-discovery, body image, arousal and yes-yes-yes pleasure.
I loved learning more about Dr. V’s classes, as well as ways we can benefit from orgasmic yoga at home, sex memes that struck us lately, the viral Gilette video on masculinity and, with Dr. Megan Fleming’s help, listener questions on small penis humiliation and humiliation as a fetish.
Stream the full Girl Boner Radio episode here ↓ or on your favorite podcast app. Read on for a few highlights and to learn about a few common orgasmic yoga myths.
3 Common Myths About Orgasmic Yoga
Myth: You have to be skilled at regular yoga to participate.
While the notion of orgasmic yoga might draw up images of sensual downward dog, you don’t have to have any traditional yoga training or experience to participate in Dr. V’s classes.
“Definitely if a person wants to come in and incorporate [traditional] poses into their practice, by all means, please do,” she said. “I’ll pepper in suggestions on checking in on your breath, inviting people to get up to change positions, not necessarily just be sitting or laying down the entire time…incorporating also micro-movements, small hand movements, to pair with your breath can be super profound, because we don’t always pair those things.”
Myth: If you do orgasmic yoga naked, everyone will be staring at your bits.
While we didn’t discuss it in our Girl Boner podcast chat, I was really struck by how impactful the classes she described could be for boundary-setting and respect. Because though some people end up in their skivvies or birthday suit, firm boundaries are set and discussed on ways to engage with others, including in regard to eye gazing.
“No one is touching anyone else, even if they come with a partner,” Dr. V said.”It’s not about eye gazing. But at the same time, I don’t want people to necessarily keep their eyes super tightly closed. It’s okay if you kind of have a soft gaze. You’re not staring at any individual for any length of time.” She suggests that attendees remember that they’re all there for an individual practice and “a little bit of a holding and witnessing capacity as well, because it’s so edgy and radical to be in a space where solo, communal erotic practice is happening.”
Myth: Orgasm is the main point of orgasmic yoga.
Orgasmic yoga can definitely make for a more orgasmic life, and even prompt one or more climaxes during the class. But the biggest thing in the experience is not the O.
“I want to look at erotic practice and pleasure practices as this expansive, erotic menu,” Dr. V shared. “So is it sometimes very orgasmic and big and very genital-focused? Sometimes. But sometimes it’s just noticing a breeze, noticing how you towel off after a shower. These little small pleasures that we might be missing throughout your day. I want people to invite that and incorporate it as well.”
If you want to incorporate orgasmic yoga benefits into your lifestyle at home, Dr. V recommends scheduling sensual time for yourself on the regular. Perhaps start with 30 minutes, guiding with a song playlist, so you won’t have to stare at the clock. Dr V said it’s about “being able to show up in that time…Breathe, do kegels, put your hand on your heart and breathe with it. Forgive yourself and hold self-compassion, whether [around] body image or communication things,” saying to yourself, “We’re here and it’s going to be okay.”
Learn more about Dr. Victoria Reuveni’s upcoming orgasmic yoga classes here. Follow her on Instagram at @DrVixenne.
To shop for orgasmic yoga accessories, head to thepleasurechest.com. Sign up for Dr. Megan’s THRIVE course at greatlifegreatsex.com/thrive.
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