7 Yoga Poses To Do BEFORE Bed For Steamy, Do-It-All-Night Sex

Yoga is incredible for everything, from detoxing your body to increasing flexibility. But what you may not know is that there are yoga poses that can spell major success for your sex life.

The first thing to do, is remember to breathe.

"When you change your breathing by simply breathing in and out through the nose, you turn on the parasympathetic nervous system. This creates an all over feeling of ease and relaxation automatically. You've just shifted out of fight or flight and into a more relaxed state. Blood pressure drops as well. Breathe with intent to feel. I can't imagine a great sex life without the ability to feel," says Michelle Cordero, expert yoga instructor and life coach.

Once you're breathing in a way that feels good to you, try one or more of these poses to bring your sex life up a few notches.

1. Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

This pose is performed on the knees, so opt for a carpeted surface or double up a yoga mat.

"Starting on your knees, align your hips with your knees. Pressing your hips forward, lean back reaching for your heels, let your head fall back while concentrating on creating space for the neck. Don't tighten your glutes. Hold this position for five slow breaths. This pose helps with fatigue to keep your stamina up for all-nighters. It's also ideal for stretching the groin, thighs and the entire front of the body," says fitness expert Nadia Murdock.

2. Big Toe Pose (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana)

If you aren't the flexible type, you will need a yoga strap to help with tight hamstrings.

"Place the strap around the ball of your foot then extend the foot out, keeping your leg straight without locking your knees. Make sure you're stable on the standing leg. Keep your elbows soft and shoulders down. Hold for 30 seconds and perform the same action on the opposite side. This hip-opener move will challenge your balance and get you in tip-top shape to tackle those more challenging sex positions on your feet," says Murdock.

3. Happy Baby (Ananda Balasana)

"Lie on your back, grab onto the outer edge of your feet or shins, pulling your knees down toward ground and feet up toward ceiling. This helps loosen up the hips so you're more flexible and will avoid cramping in the hip flexors," says Stephanie Mansour, weight loss coach.

4. Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

"Standing up, feet as wide as the hips, hinge forward at the waist and hang down, reaching your finger towards the ground. You will feel a stretch in the hamstrings. This will help with flexibility with legs up or overhead!" says Mansour.

5. Double Pigeon Pose (Agnistambhasana)

In a comfortable seated position, place your left shinbone parallel to your yoga mat.

Then, "gently place your right ankle on top of the left knee and the left ankle on top of the right knee. Your shins should be stacked on top of each other. The more aligned the shinbones are, the deeper the stretch. Inhale deeply to lengthen the spine; on the exhale, fold forward while walking your fingertips forward and away from the body. Hold this position for eight to ten breaths. This move is simple to do before bed and will help increase your flexibility," says Murdock.

6. The Butterfly (Baddha Konasana)

This pose even looks sexy!

"Bending your knees and bringing the soles of your feet together allow the heels of your feet to drop toward your sits bones. This will help to deepen the stretch. To intensify the stretch, gently press the palms of your hands toward the knees, bringing them slightly closer to the wall. This stretch targets the inner thighs," says Murdock.

7. Malasana Yoga Squat 

"This pose intimately benefits both genders — physically and emotionally. It can be used on and off the yoga mat," says Aree Khodai, certified yoga instructor in Los Angeles. "It activates the second chakra your sacral chakra, which relates to our sexuality and connect us to inner desires. It activates and balances the relationship to your body and with others," says Khodai.

Here's how:

1. Take your feet more than hips-width distance.
2. Heels point in and toes point out as you squat down. Try to keep the heels down on the ground or bed.
3. Bring the hands to the heart position and press your elbows against the inner thighs as the knees try to press against the elbows, creating resistance and more opening.
4. Lift and lengthen your torso so you can keep your spine tall.

This pose can and should be done throughout the day or evening. When you hold the pose, you cut off the blood flow to the hips and groin area. When you release out of the pose, you invite fresh blood and oxygen through your hips and sex glands.

All photos: Yoga Journal