In 2009, a small pilot study demonstrated how after just 12 weeks of yoga practice, significant improvements in sexual function were noted in men between the ages of 24 and 60. The common belief that yoga improves the quality of sexual intercourse in both men and women has not been backed up by scientific evidence until recently. The proven benefits of yoga practices for lowering stress, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, weight control and some forms of diabetes and improving sleep are accepted as properties resulting in an overall improvement in quality of life. A 2013 Korean study focused specifically on the effects of yoga on sexual function in women. The scientists selected 41 women between 30 and 60 years of age, with a clinical diagnosis of “metabolic syndrome”. This syndrome includes unhealthy elevated blood cholesterol, triglycerides, sugar and pressure – a set of risk factors predisposing to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. As the metabolic syndrome worsens, the sexual functions of the body are also damaged – the libido decreases, hormonal and metabolic changes occur. NEWS_MORE_BOX During the study, 20 women in the group practiced yoga for 12 weeks, the remaining 21 did not. The exercises included standard yoga poses – asanas such as Utanasana, Trikonasana and Shavasana. At the end of the 12th week, the women who practiced yoga showed improvements in all indicators compared to the control group who did not participate in the yoga classes. Significant reductions in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar and blood pressure levels were the expected and achieved results. The unexpected were increased libido, sexual arousal, improved vaginal lubrication and increased pleasure from sexual contacts in 19 of the 20 participants. While the study had too few participants to be statistically conclusive, it is just one of many scientifically sound studies reporting these and other benefits of yoga practice around the world.