Peeing In The Shower Could Improve Your Sex Life, According To Gwyneth Paltrow's Website Goop
Peeing In The Shower Could Improve Your Sex Life, According To Gwyneth
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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To pee in the shower or not to pee? That's the question that has long divided the nation.
But now, thanks to an article published on Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle blog, Goop, there's a great reason to do your business in the shower: your sex life.
Squatting and urinating while you shower can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles. And this, says Lauren Roxburgh, a structural integrative specialist, is "the key to great sex".
Umm, sure.
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The pelvic floor muscles are located between the legs, and run from the pubic bone at the front to the base of your spine at the back.
As women age, their pelvic floor muscles can weaken - which can result in urinary incontinence and reduced sensitivity during sex.
Offering tips for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, Goop suggests "peeing in the shower" while squatting down.
"When you squat to pee as opposed to sitting up straight on the toilet, you automatically engage your pelvic floor and it naturally stretches and tones," reads the site.
"Because your urethra is pointed straight down in this position all you have to do is relax for urine to flow out easily—as opposed to sitting up straight and having to strain to empty your bladder."
For those who don't fancy squatting down and opening the flood gates in the shower. Here's what you can do:
1. Contract and release the muscles in the pelvic area, squeezing them for 5-10 seconds and then relaxing for 5 seconds each time.
Tip - The most important thing is to locate the muscles you're trying to strengthen, and to get used to the sensation of exercising them. The best way of doing this is to try to stop your urine mid-flow when you go to the loo. If you do this successfully then you've found the muscles you're looking for.
2. Repeat the cycle of contracting and relaxing ten times per session, and try to fit in three sessions per day.
3. If done properly, you should notice a difference (enhanced sensation during sex and less leakage) in 4-6 weeks.
Yoga Poses For Better Sex
Downward Facing Dog(01 of21)
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This classic pose stretches and strengthens your hamstrings, calves and feet arches, while also elongating your spine (so you can feel the tingles down it better, perhaps?).Learn how to do it properly here.
Upward Facing Dog(02 of21)
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The inverse to downward facing dog helps you breathe better, expands your chest and shoulders and helps to stretch your hip flexors, which can tighten during sex.Learn how to do it properly here.
Plank Pose(03 of21)
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This pose, which some may know from their own training workouts, is an all-over strengthener, and helps build endurance. Enough said.Learn how to do it properly here.
Cobbler's Pose(04 of21)
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This pose, performed with hands down or stretching up, helps stretch out the core, groin and thighs.Learn how to do it properly here.
Pigeon Pose(05 of21)
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This pose is probably most closely associated with sexual energy — and other pent-up desires, which are said to be "held" in the hips. This pose works on several muscles in that area.Learn how to do it properly here.
Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose(06 of21)
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This calming pose can help stretch out the lower back and let blood flow to the pelvic area, increasing excitement.Learn how to do it properly here.
Bridge Pose(07 of21)
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This pose stretches out the entirety of the back of your body, from your spine to your hamstrings. It also opens up the pelvic area, and (let's face it) is pretty sexual in nature.Learn how to do it properly here.
Reclining Big Toe Pose(08 of21)
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Stretching out the hips, back and lower spine, as this pose does, can get you more relaxed for sex, while also giving you energy.Learn how to do it properly here.
Happy Baby Pose(09 of21)
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Also known as "dead bug pose," this pose also stretches out the hips while helping to realign the spine. It's name also isn't a coincidence — it makes you feel calm and happy. Go ahead and try.Learn how to do it properly here.
Cat-Cow Pose(10 of21)
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This pose is a great way to get ready to have sex, as it stretches out the body in full, and gets it ready for activity. As you move from cat to cow, it warms up your spine and increases flexibility.Learn how to do it properly here.
(11 of21)
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NEXT: 10 Energizing Yoga Poses
Half Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara)(12 of21)
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Sun Salutation sequences are traditionally performed as a way to awaken the body. "This is great to do upon rising, even before you have had your first cup of coffee," Bielkus says. To perform the sequence, stand up straight in Mountain Pose (Tadasana) with the feet together and arms at the side of the body with open palms. Sweep the arms up and extend them over the head on the inhale, then exhale and bow forward into a forward bend. On the inhale, lift the torso halfway up, place your hands at your shins and extend the spine. Fold forward again on the exhale. When you inhale, sweep back up and bring the palms together into prayer. Repeat this sequence three or four times. Click here for a video tutorial. (credit:Getty Images)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)(13 of21)
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The gentle heart-opening stretch of the camel pose -- performed either with the hands on the lower back or reaching down to touch the heels -- can be highly invigorating for the entire body. "Camel is great because it's a total front-body opener," Bielkus says. "You have the front of the legs moving forward. ... The core is stretching and the torso is lengthening up. The chest is really opening and expanding so that the lungs can expand full of breath." (credit:Getty Images)
Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana II)(14 of21)
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"This pose combines both leg strengthening and mild back bending, bringing energy into the body," Bielkus says. "Just like the name suggests, this pose awakens the warrior within -- power and strength, but with ease."Click here for basic Warrior II instructions, and try adding what Bielkus calls the "breath of fire" for an extra energy boost. "A great way to rev up this posture is to add in breath of fire -- rapid belly breath, focusing on the exhalation," Bielkus says. "To start, take a deep breath in and then pump the navel in as you exhale. The inhale will take care of itself." (credit:Getty Images)
Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana) (15 of21)
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After Warrior II, try going into a restorative Triangle Pose. Straighten the front knee and extend the arm forward and then down to the shin, the floor next to the leg, or a block. Reach the other arm up and turn to face the sky, breathing deeply for five breaths, Bielkus advises. Then, repeat on the other side. "This pose is about fully expanding not contracting," Bielkus says. "Focus less about stretching and more about expanding and bringing breath and energy to every cell, every skin pore, every fiber of your being." (credit:Getty Images)
Side Plank (Vasisthasana)(16 of21)
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For the whole body-strengthening Side Plank, start in a plank pose. Turn to the right side, stacking the feet on top of each other, and lifting the left hand. Breath deeply for five breaths before repeating on the other side. If you're looking to modify the pose, Bielkus suggests bringing either the bottom knee or the forearm down to the ground. "Yoga brings our mind to a oneness and a focused attention," Bielkus says, regarding the balancing poses. "The more that we're coming into a mental clarity or focus, the less energy we're expending on that stress. The cortisol levels can drop and then we feel a little more energized." (credit:Getty Images)
Chair Pose (Utkatasana)(17 of21)
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The dynamic Chair Pose is performed by standing with the feet together or hip-width apart, and bending the lower body down as if you were sitting on a chair. Raise the arms to the ears and raise the chest up to complete the pose. "This pose is literally translates from Sanskrit as 'powerful' pose," says Bielkus. "Sometimes in class, I refer to it as lighting bolt pose because [of] the amount of energy it creates in the body by using the big muscles of the legs and glutes while also creating a slight backbend, which awakens the spine." (credit:Getty Images)
Half-Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) (18 of21)
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In addition to warding off stress and anxiety, the Half Moon Pose can be therapeutic for fatigue, according to Yoga Journal. In a forward fold, bring the right hand about 10 inches in front of you and slightly to the right, extending the left leg up while the hips and torso open. Extend the left arm up and hold the pose for five breaths before repeating on the other side. "Any balancing poses are great for finding that inner balance," Bielkus says. (credit:Getty Images)
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)(19 of21)
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"Back bends are all about unlocking the energy of the spine and nervous system," Bielkus says. Lying on your back, bend the knees and place your feet flat on the floor with arms by your sides. Lift the hips up high and interlace the hands together or leave the arms at the sides of the body. Breathe deeply for five breaths and repeat several times. (credit:Shutterstock)
Locust Pose (Salabhasana)(20 of21)
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For this strengthening pose, lie on your belly with arms by your side and palms down. Then, gently lift the arms, legs, chest and head off the floor and breathe deeply for five breaths, trying to lift up higher with each breath. Repeat three or four times, being careful not to strain the neck. For more of a challenge, extend the arms in front of you, as pictured at left. "You're really stimulating the upper, middle and lower back, and the muscles of the hamstrings are engaging" Bielkus says. "You're using so many muscles in the body to lift yourself off the earth. The neurons are firing to make that all happen." (credit:Getty Images)
Right Nostril Breathing (Surya Bhedana)(21 of21)
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This energizing pranayama (breathing exercise) offers a counterpoint to the calming left nostril breath. To perform the exercise, sit upright in a chair or on the floor in a comfortable cross-legged position, blocking the left nostril with the thumb and extending the fingers. Breathe long and deep, in and out of the right nostril for around five minutes, Bielkus advises. "The right nostril is associated with the energy of the sun," Bielkus says. "This breath is stimulating, invigorating and awakening." (credit:Getty Images)