WARNING: If you are very uncomfortable with, or offended by, the conversation of sex, touch, and the physical body DO NOT READ FURTHER.
One of the gifts of practicing yoga is that it has made my senses more refined and awakened. While this provides a ton of benefit on the mat as I notice my body and can adjust in postures with greater awareness, it also has added to my experiences off the mat as well.
Part of this added sensitivity is coupled with a desire to know more and wondering how and why certain things function they way they do.
On Sexual Arousal and Effects of Sound
Sound is something that is around us everyday and obviously has impact. The nervous system reacting with a rapid fright to a loud bang or softening and calm generated by gentle music or the soothing rhythm of the ocean sounding breath.
Sound also has impact in other arenas of our lives, even in the bedroom. In a recent intimate experience I couldn't help but notice how much more excited I became when my mate made soft moaning sounds that correlated to his experience of increased pleasure.
Is this the norm? Do gay and straight men get turned on by sexual vocalization? And what about women, do they get excited when their man or woman makes sounds?
While there aren't too many official studies on this subject – spread the word to your grad student friends, we need more research of the consequence of sound on sex and the physical body – there are plenty of opinions.
Sex and the Sensitivity of Sound
Some sexologists believe moaning in the bedroom increases sexual arousal for self and partner, communicates what we like and don't like, and can create a slight experience of hyperventilation which results in a mild feeling of euphoria.
In addition to groans and moans, some men and women love to verbalize through simple words like yes, more, and now, etc., while others employ 'dirty talk' to increase their excitement. But do check-in as some people are turned off by particular words.
Stereotypically, moaning during foreplay and sex has been painted as only a female trait, but many women and gay men report enjoying breath sounds and soft moaning coming from their man.
One study also showed that some women make noise not only when feeling pleasure but to speed up their partner's climax, boost his self-esteem, relieve boredom, or diffuse fatigue and discomfort.
More gay men and lesbians need to chime in as to whether they use the same techniques and it sounds like these women need to give their man some tips so they are not so bored.
So next time you find yourself hot and heavy, make a little noise, use the sensitivity of sound to dive in and explore living yoga off the mat!
