The Benefits of Conscious Breathing During Sex

Have you ever explored or wondered about combining breath work and pleasure?

Breath work is becoming increasingly used in the world of personal and spiritual development.
Connection to intentional breath during sexual activities and self-pleasure is a powerful way to enhance the experience and increase sensation.

Breath work, in itself, as a practice has many positive physical and emotional side effects such as balanced blood pressure, reduction of PTSD symptoms, stronger respiratory function, healthier immune system and the release of stress hormones from the body.

When paired with sex it can also help to increase intimacy! 

Photo by Kampus Production

Kitty’s Experience With The Breath And Self-Pleasure

A year and a half ago my connection to breath introduced me to pleasure in a completely foreign way to anything I had experienced before.
It shook me. It was confronting and exciting and utterly delicious.

I had been exposed to conscious breath work practices a couple of times before that but, in the midst of a challenging period in my relationship, I came across an audio piece for a guided breath work and meditation that changed my life.

At that time I was mentally struggling and felt as if I had lost parts of myself in some of the issues I was attempting to manage. I had been invested in my personal development for years and knew I needed to lean into some daily practices to support myself.
So I began breath work and meditation as part of my morning routine. It served as a lifeline during the 3 month break up that my ex-partner and I went through. It helped me find clarity and stability when my world was going through drastic change.
And at some point during these daily practices an intense and potent inner pleasure was awakened.

During some of the breath holds I started experiencing orgasmic sensations. I became very aware of the rise and fall of pleasure within my whole body. At first I was surprised by how potent these sensations were when I was not setting any intention to engage in self-pleasure. Although caught off guard I trusted that my body was guiding me somewhere I needed to go.
I continued on with the daily practice and the more I allowed pleasure to come with the breath, the more intense it became. Even without physical touch my body was experiencing orgasmic waves. The foundation of presence that had been created through the breath work and meditation brought more focus and attention from my mind into my body.
I adapted this to sometimes include physical self-pleasure with or without toys. However the experience always started with connection to the breath.

This practice awakened me to a variety of different types of orgasms, supported a deeper relationship to my body, helped me with big emotional releases through pleasure and led to some powerful sexual experiences with others.

“Studies suggest that deep breathing helps with arousal and orgasm by releasing nitric oxide into the body. Nitric oxide, in turn, relaxes smooth muscles, which can further increase blood flow. Breathing is an easy way to gain these benefits without medication or medical treatment.” (Lover App, Inc)

Breath Work During Sexual Intercourse

“Take deep, slow breaths during sexual activity. Focus on each breath, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. The slower you breathe, the deeper you’ll inhale, which will send more oxygen throughout your body. That’s important for arousal because blood flow increases when you are aroused—including to your genitals.” (Love App, Inc.)

We can experience so many more subtle sensations and emotional responses when we bring more presence into the body and mind. Conscious breath during intercourse is the perfect tool for this.
After spending a couple of months of exploration with pleasure in this way I met someone with experience in some tantra practices. This gave way to intense sexual adventures where the breath guided us into some of the most intense orgasms for both of us. Deep breathing in time with peeks and waves of pleasure and synchronised breathing were two avenues we explored.

“Breathing also increases blood flow throughout the body. An increase of blood flow to the genitals is necessary during sex in that it’s responsible for the swelling of the clitoris and labia, as well as the penile erection.” (Lioness Team)
 

Breath Work Techniques to Increase Pleasure

“Exhale completely, emptying your lungs all at once. After you exhale, inhale for four seconds—then hold your breath for four seconds. Repeat 10 times, and notice how it helps you concentrate on more than just getting off—because now you have to work for it! Now switch up your breathing pattern: Inhale through your nose for four seconds, then exhale through your mouth for eight seconds. Do that five times before going back to round one.” (Love App, Inc)

“Synchronized Breathing: This technique is done by matching your breathing pattern with your partner’s. Follow their lead by inhaling and exhaling simultaneously.

The Counting Breath: Counting is a common breathing technique where you inhale for a count of 5, pause, and exhale for a count of 5.

Belly Breathing: This approach engages your diaphragm, contracting it downward during inhalation and upwards as you exhale. To practice, place your hand on your belly and inhale deeply as your stomach pushes outward. Breathe out through pursed lips as your hand moves back in toward your body.” (Lioness Team)

In Summary

There are so many physical and emotional benefits to bringing conscious breathing into intimacy alongside a partner. This can also be the starting point to bringing neo-tantra practices into experiences as well.

When we can keep an open mind and bodies that can surrender to the healing power of the breath we truly allow pleasure to come in a new and delicious way.

Resources

https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-breathwork

https://www.lover.io/

https://lioness.io/blogs/sex-guides/the-art-of-breathing-using-breathing-exercises-for-better-sex