Practice Makes Practice: What I Learned from Six Weeks of Orgasmic Yoga

First, let me explain a bit about what Orgasmic Yoga is: 

Orgasmic Yoga (OYoga) – as I have done it, and my experience of it – is not “actual” yoga. The term “yoga” in this context was originally used by the creators of this practice to evoke the notion of a practice that must be practiced. We weave conscious breath, movement, sound, touch, dance, as well as the placement of attention and setting intentions into our solo erotic practice to explore and expand our capacity for pleasure.

“Orgasmic Yoga involves pleasurable, intimate and transformative practices that individuals, couples, and groups can do while sexually aroused. When practiced regularly over time, Orgasmic Yoga can change your life. The practice sessions involve breathing, savoring, sound, movement, touch, placement of attention, and awareness of intention. Orgasmic Yoga is practiced where you are —solo or with the companions you choose.

Erotic practice sessions weave together the heart and genitals. This alone is a profound reason to commit to practice. Orgasmic Yoga often produces a state of arousal that is free of fantasy, unfinished emotional business, religious dogma, cultural caveats and habitual sexual behaviors. In this erotic trance state, an individual becomes aware of the body as a source of wisdom, happiness and freedom.” From OrgasmicYoga.com

I first did Orgasmic Yoga as a part of my Sexological Bodywork training. Since then I have had the pleasure and the honor to facilitate over a dozen circles, including my first 6-Week Series. 

Participants in OYoga can be as clothed or as nude as they feel comfortable. Orgasms don’t have to feature at all, but it’s about exploring what the body can feel and experience that may not be a part of one’s usual erotic repertoire.

The Structure of an Orgasmic Yoga Session

I start by briefly talking about the history of orgasmic yoga, explaining intention setting, setting boundaries to create our safe container (there is no eye gazing, only a soft gaze; no touching of others; and to speak of the OYoga experience using “I statements,” not singling out any one person if they speak about it outside the group), and giving some examples of breathing to play with or focus on. After some checking in, getting grounded, and setting up our areas (or nests, as I like to say), we do about 45 minutes of OYoga (depending on the playlist I’ve created) followed immediately by 5 minutes of silent savoring. I do a very quick check in with everyone in the circle before we all clean up and get dressed. Finally, we have a chance to process more in depth what came up for us, whether it met our expectations, what our intentions were, and anything else that folks want to share. 

So, what did I learn from facilitating and attending six weeks of orgasmic yoga? 

I have found that it’s become easier to drop into breathing, getting grounded and present. It’s not that my mind doesn’t wander in an OYoga session or in my usual self-pleasuring, but it’s easier to get back to focusing on feeling and being. 

There’s something so special about going through the process with the same people for several weeks (or sessions). There is an energy and camaraderie that develops. Whether it’s a series or a single orgasmic yoga circle, each one establishes a different tone and energy because where we are when we show up varies. How our week or month went; how we ate/slept; whether we’ve had regular solo or partnered sex in the past week/month; and a myriad of other variables that factor into how we show up in the world, influences how we enter into the OYoga circle on a given day. 

It is quite a different experience to go through a series rather than a one-off circle. One OYoga session can certainly be profound, validating, and expanding, but the community that develops over time in attending multiple or a series helps to create that safe container to really dig deep, find one’s edges, and explore.

I learned that I can hold space for a variety of emotions while dipping in and out of arousal. I have discovered that I possess a knack for permission-giving. I realized that if I’m going through an emotion, or finding that I’m holding my breath, others are likely going through this as well. It was rather amusing to give one of my usual “don’t forget to breathe” nudges and everyone in the circle took a deep breath simultaneously.

In addition to the new tools, positive body image, and permission to explore that can be gained through Orgasmic Yoga, it is lovely to have the time set aside to really give back to yourself. Whether partnered or not, being able to take your time can be a welcome respite from our instant gratification, constantly on-the-go world.

I look forward to future Orgasmic Yoga sessions that I will facilitate and participate in. As of this posting, I have two single sessions planned with Sex Positive Los Angeles (SPLA) which can be attended if you are a member. I am also planning on traveling with it and bringing an intensive to Northern California. 

Edit: As of April 11, 2018, I have facilitated over 40 Orgasmic Yoga circles.